Hillbilly

I don't think that scenario would work as the odds of a pilot being able to hold NYC73N B and not be able to hold NYCM88 B are slim to none. That pilot would have to stay on the 88 if they went to NYC. You'd have to transfer to a base that doesn't fly the MD88, like SLC. Bid SLC 73N and then base swap back to ATL on the next AE might work, but it wouldn't be as quick because it tends to be a little more senior in SLC.

Jughead135

[Your specific example won't work, since 73N & M88 are in both NYC & ATL. In that case, you'd be depending on your seniority not to get your existing airplane in the new base.]

In essence, yes, that's what I'm saying. Way too many variables along the lines of "one man's trash is another man's treasure," not to mention that every drop is different, so there's no way to give universal guidance--but, if you can't get the airplane you want for the base you want, bidding something that's NOT at your base will probably be your quickest way there....

To use your example: since you want ATL, there's nothing you can bid that isn't there, so this discussion doesn't even apply. Let's say, though, that you want LAX717B, and the 717 is more important to you than the base.

Choice 1: LAX717B -- let's say there are none in the drop
Choice 2: xxx717B -- bid for any 717 anywhere, then bid over ASAP; again, let's say there are none.

Choice 3, then, I suggest is anything NOT in LAX, wherever it may be. SO, don't pick anything that drops for LAX, and don't pick 73N or 7ER. Among new hire planes, that leaves M88 & 320 (how CS100/300 plays out for this is TBD). If you bid, say, NYCM88B (or if it's all that's available), you'll potentially be able to bid over to LAX717B sooner (i.e., one year) than if you took 73N or 7ER. In the mean time, you can improve your position by bidding out of NYC pretty quickly to, say, ATL, while you wait out the 1-year clock.

Important to note: if your seniority won't hold a particular airplane at a particular base, it's as if it's not there for purposes of this bidding. For example, in my LAX scenario above, you'd probably be fine if you were on the 7ER, since the seniority for LAX (last I looked) is pretty high on that. How good is your crystal ball...?

None of this applies if all you care about is your base--bid for whatever airplane you think will get you to that base soonest. If you want a specific airplane though*, but can't get it out of indoc, then ensuring you bid an airplane NOT co-located with your preferred airplane is the way potentially to get there quickest.

EDIT: Or, what Hillbilly said in far fewer words....

*for whatever reason, though this topic came up in context of being "stuck" in the lesser-paying airplane for all of 2nd year and, probably, some of 3rd year pay.

sailingfun

At the rate we are growing would not the same argument apply for most pilots new hire or not? Everyone can be frozen out of a higher paying seat. One nice thing is a two year freeze at Delta is a shorter then most two year freezes at other airlines because it starts at the date of the award.
In addition the shorter freeze on some training benefits everyone including the new hire. A new higher going from the 717 to the MD88 as a example incurs 1 year rather then two.
The really good news is all the options we now have. Historically a freeze was irrelevant for a new hire because the movement was not fast enough to give them a option to move.

TED74

...except that he'll have to wait an additional year to transition, or add his additional new hire year (if the TA passes) to his 1 year MD88 freeze. Total time from hired to released-from second aircraft freeze is identical.

This is clearly a concession for some. It makes the company more efficient at the expense of pilot flexibility. Whether the concession was/will be worthwhile is in the eye of the beholder. Everyone hired before 1 December benefits immediately, and after two years, new hires will also benefit some from (some) subsequent training freezes.

TED74

Telling that the "really good news" has nothing to do with the contract/TA, but rather delayed gratification of age 65 rule and general market forces independent from negotiations.

Paok

Yes I confirmed this w the union. You will get a retro check too

EEECBUC

Has anyone that interviewed in late September 2016 with a CJO received a cleared to train email yet?

If so, please PM me with your CJO date and indoc class start date. Thank you in advance.

lavService

I dont know if things have changed but it took 4 months to receive my cleared to train email. I was february 2015. I was just about done with my sim training when it came in. I doubt things have sped up

NJGov

anyone get a call/e-mail for the Dec 5 class yet? Or will they not come out til strictly four weeks to the day before class begins?

EEECBUC

Well, I guess I should have known, when you ask a question.....

Got the cleared to train email this afternoon. 5 Dec Indoc class. FYI, and as stated previously, I interviewed Sept 28/29.