And it's only getting worse. Rolled into the office today to pick up some paperwork. 45 miles door to door each way. Two hours going, two and a half coming back. Between 10 and 3. Yuck.

Clt-atl
 

Anyone doing (or know someone who is) the CLT-ATL commute? I plan to settle near CLT, and it seems like there are plenty of flights between the two.

Jesus. That's insane. And people pay a huge premium to live on that? I was born/grew up in the Caribbean so I'm not a stranger to the economics of sunshine taxes, but continental urban/suburban living is not that indignant that it makes the above a better alternative. People act like everything east of LAX and west of JFK is Minot ND in the winter. :confused:

A few pages back someone stated MSP was stagnant and would stay that way. Any insight to when it could start to move again? Will there be a large exodus of NWA guys at some point for retirements. Seems most people dread the cold, I love it and dream of the day to be based there.


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Doubt there will be a huge exodus anytime soon. ALOT of the SSP and Flows live in MSP and most people there will never leave. There will be some movement but not massive. Thats just my opinion though based on being based there with my regional and talking with mainline guys. Anything can happen in this hiring/retirement environment though.

I would guess so far there might be 200-300 SSP/flows that are in MSP or will return to MSP. Not sure how many pilots the MSP base has. Even if there is no growth in block hours there will be movement due to retirements and upgrades.

It's full a lot of times. Plan for some good jumpseat time. It's probably worth it to drive for the peace of mind and time saved vs being bumped from full flights.

Is it taking about a year for MD88 folks to get back to MSP?


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If I was going to live near CLT, I'd look hard at commuting to NYC. Lots of flights, on-line and off, and much better seniority.

Good to know. We checked out the Kennesaw/Acworth area yesterday and actually saw a lot that we liked. It has a few options to get to the airport so I can scout out the traffic situation before I depart. We can get a lot of house up there compared to SLC or SEA. May give it a shot.

I have a friend that started indoc in OCT/NOV 14. He was awarded MSP on the 88 in April or May and will start up there in the Fall. So yeah, if movement stays static, which it never does, MSP took him roughly a year.

The rumor is a large AE will take place in August some time. It will be my first experience and since it has been a few months it should have some movement.

In other news, I heard that a bunch of guys got 73's to SLC and LAX in this current indoc class aren't interested in staying there. They went towards the end of the class after the 88's to NYC. I have been watching indoc drops for about 8 months and the only constant is change.

I wouldn't hold my breath for an increase in movement to MSP any time soon. They are still reducing manning at MSP. Fortunately they have not displaced yet and are reducing by attrition and not backfilling. Nobody knows for sure, but it I think it will remain pretty stagnant for a while yet.

Thanks 4fans and ExAF for the info. I am a May CJO waiting for Indoc. Just trying to get an idea what life may look like for the next couple years. I live near MSP so obviously can't wait to get back, but will be happy flying anywhere to get this party started.


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Hey all, which base can a junior ER FO expect to fly the most during the winter (Oct-Apr)? NY LA DTW or ATL?

NYC is usually short on pilots, so more opportunities to fly and fly for premium pay. NY also seems to have a good trip mix (Europe v/s the back to back all nighters that are common for junior pilots in Atlanta. Atlanta remains very senior compared to other bases on the ER.

The only breaks in heavy ER utilization will be September, October and maybe the last half of January to the first week of March. Flying picks up a week before Thanksgiving and runs hard until after January 1st.

If they pull the 747 fleet down (as stated) the other international categories will be ised to backfill to some extent.

Anybody in SLC know anything about the mountain green/Morgan area outside of Ogden by snow basin? Good/bad/indifferent?

Yeah, great place to live! Great skiing. PM me for more info if you want.

Thank you, pm sent.

Curious if LAX is available to new-hires as of late. If not, what is the DOH for the most junior pilot? Also, what's the fleet consist of out of there now?

There are 15 vacancies on both the 717 and 737 to LAX on the current AE. If these are not filled they will be available to new hires. Currently the junior 737 F/O is 12893 and the junior 717 F/O is 12487. Sorry I can't correlate those to DOH but the 737 looks like he is pretty close to the company plug. Good news if that's what you're jonesing for!

About as a good as Utah living you can get!

Could someone give the highlights of the last AE and any scheduling/Operation updates as to where they are going to be putting new hires in the coming months. Specifically if there was or will be any movement into MSP or DTW. Thanks in advance


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No new hires going to MSP or DTW. Expect mostly NYC, some ATL, and perhaps a spattering of LAX.

Once on property, there will be chances to move. I have two friends hired into NYC who bid out on the first AE and were converted within six months. If you can, chose an airplane that is in MSP or DTW to move within the one year seat lock. Based on the August AE results, DTW would happen sooner than MSP.

MSP - M88, 320, 7ER
DTW - 717, 73N, 7ER, 320

7ER gives you the widest choice of bases and flying system wide, but you will be junior in the category longer.

What are chances of being based in SLC within a year?

With current trends one year is a reasonable expectation for SLC. 73N and 7ER are junior to the 320 as of the last AE, but I'd expect the 320 to see some more movement in upcoming AEs. If you new hire airplane is a 717 or M88, then you have to sit out the initial trainring freeze before changing to a SLC based airplane.

What does, "If your new hire airplane is a 717 or M88, then you have to sit out the initial trainring freeze before changing to a SLC based airplane." Mean?

I hope to be an SLC new hire soon (Fingers crossed for Nov training, treading water in the pool), do I need to get 737 assignment to have a shot at SLC? Thx.

SLC doesn't have a 717 or M88 base. If your new hire airplane is one of the three based in SLC, you can bid there within your first year. You have a one year training freeze as a new hire, so a M88 or 717 would mean at least a one year wait before SLC is an option. 320, 73N or 7ER will all get you to SLC.

Thanks for the info.

When and if there is an opening there on a AE in the A/C you get.

Thanks for the info!

Question from the pool: what airframes are in SEA (current/future)?

Currently the 73N, 7ER, and 330. I haven't heard any rumors about future additions to that list but then I don't pay much attention to that either.

Don't expect any new categories in SEA in the foreseeable future.

The E190's were planned to be a Seattle airframe for the first base. When a new TA is reached if it still includes a transfer of block hours from DCI to the mainline you may see a additional airframe in SEA.

Thought the e190s were gone. RA said so. Was he lying, or are they going to try and get us to buy a new small NB in the new TA?

Like I said "Forseeable future."

Sailing,

I would say the transfer of block hours to mainline is a safe bet. I do RCC work and the Oct 73 bid packages were modified just prior to publication to add more flying that DCI could not accommodate.

Scoop

They can surge a bit but we are going to need additional airframes for the shift that was planned. The first batch of those airframes were planned for SEA.

Can anyone answer a few questions about your LAX base? Is your LAX base junior? What aircraft are in LAX? Also, can it be held out of training? Last question - what domicile/aircraft are new hires being assigned now? Thanks!

Not junior but also not super senior either. You could probably hold the 717, as its the most junior airframe in 6-12 months.

777, 7ER, 73N, 717.

I haven't seen it held out of training in the last year.

Mainly NYC right now. Though in the last six months there have been drops to ATL and DTW.