That guy's rich. Must be a 747 captain, and I'll betcha he has both a washer AND a dryer on the front porch....

And of course you could always do this on a few special Saturdays each year with THAT rig..

He is not rich. He used his profit sharing check for a down payment. He is financing that thing for 33 years. His payments are $219 a month and he is absolutely ecstatic. He used USAA's services to secure the price and he financed with the dealership. His APR is 32%. (insert sarcasm and smiley face)

TEN

I've lived in Phoenix, San Antonio, Abu Dhabi, Columbus MS, Del Rio TX, and Sumter SC -- I know my heat and humidity. Of all those Phoenix was probably my favorite location and much of that was because it was dry. I can run in 90F 20% humidity and feel like a human, in 83F 80% humidity I just want to die.

Anyway, great points all. Definitely appreciate everybody's responses, but probably no closer to making a decision :/.

Don't let being a non-Mormon scare you away from SLC. Were a "non-traditional" family and non-Mormon and not only has it been a Zero issue, our neighbors are great and it's a great place to live. Clean, low crime and great schools. Kids are 8th, Senior and CC Freshman....again Zero issues and they've made lots of friends. Been here 13 mos and bought in North Ogden, which is 1/2 the price of Park City for twice the home and up out of the Inversion on the Winter. State income tax is 5%, sales tax is 6.7%, property taxes on my house, $2800/yr. 45 min drive to SLC., but more importantly 30 min to incredible Skiing & several lakes in the summer. I highly recommend Cristine Carver of Coldwell Banker in Ogden. Another 10 min East through the Canyon is Huntsville and Eden.

Mike, PMed you back today. Thanks for that. You're not gonna escape humidity in GA. So, north or south ATL doesn't really matter. It's gonna suck. We did 5 + years there through new hire, furlough and return. As a result, we're in SoCal now.

Secondly, your drive to work is important. PTC or Newnan are straight shots to the parking lot. That's huge for a new hire/probie. Both have a DAL support structure and lots of friends. If you're looking for schools, PTC rocks. It's base housing on steroids. Take a trip, look around, and buy a golf cart.

I asked this over on the Poolie thread but it didn't get much traction. Maybe it's more appropriate here....

Aircraft preference question:

ASSUMING I have a choice....717, 737NG, or 320 to ATL? I live just under 3 hours from ATL and my priorities are stability and home time vs dollars.

How long are guys sitting reserve on the NG & bus before holding a line, and will that time be increased on the NG by the 757 displacements? I like the idea of BHM overnights in the 717, but it's a pretty substantial pay bump to the other aircraft. I just don't want to sit reserve for a year to get it.

Is there a way to find the hire date of the junior line holder on each jet to figure out how long to expect to sit reserve?

Sorry for the duplication. I should have known better than to post in the poolie thread just before an aircraft drop.

The simplest answer is the lowest paying equipment will generally be the most junior all things being equal. What you can't factor in is where crew resources will place block hours. The 717 is going somewhat more senior then it's pay rate. Better cockpit and extra time off from training May account for that. If getting off reserve is the priority I would bid either the 717 or 88. When new hire seat locks start expiring on the 717 it may go more junior.

The simplest answer is the lowest paying equipment will generally be the most junior all things being equal. What you can't factor in is where crew resources will place block hours. The 717 is going somewhat more senior then it's pay rate. Better cockpit and extra time off from training May account for that. If getting off reserve is the priority I would bid either the 717 or 88. When new hire seat locks start expiring on the 717 it may go more junior.

Also a growing category helps (717) vs a shrinking one (ER). Big pay bump to the 73N so that makes it more sr.

Bottom line, it's hard to answer your question for reasons beyond our control. There have been stretches that went on for 5-6 years where guys were the plug on the 727 panel. Then there have been times guys were holding a line first month they could bid.

If you can tolerate living within an hour or so from your base your life and paycheck will be much better. When you cross off the non-commutable trips, you'll have to be pretty senior to hold that line.

Bamaguy,

An AE closed yesterday that really opened things up. Very very junior Pilots were awarded positions out West - the movement is upon us.

As guys have said above there have been years of absolute stagnation and also times of very rapid movement. Fortunately for you we are now entering the latter.

If the movement continues, and it should with new aircraft coming and retirements picking up - it really will not matter.

I say if you are mainly concerned with seniority in ATL you should bid the 88 or 717 - and you should be a line holder within a year. There is still a lot of "churn" from years of built up stagnation and also the 717 fleet is still growing and being initially staffed. Once all this settles down the 717 will probably a little more junior and the 320 & 73N will probably trend more senior.

Don't pay attention to guys who said they were on reserve for years - there was little or no hiring during those times so the bottom of the last was totally stagnant. If we keep hiring upwards of 600/year life will be good fro a all new hires.

Oh, caveat- one black swan :eek: could change everything overnight.

Scoop