I like the variety a lot. You can overnight in Canada, the midwest, and Mexico all in one trip... even as an EWR-based pilot. The hotels are usually pretty good. Contractually, any overnight over 15 hours needs to have plenty of dining options and things to do nearby. On the short overnights, Holiday Inn Express is usually as low as our hotels will go, and those are usually still fine.

I find XJT to be the smart choice at this point. Anyone starting now will enjoy decent movement as hiring ramps up this year. The upgrades are poised to drop dramatically.

This^^ and good point on the ski goggles


I have worked in such environment, but not at a ramper. Here is what you do.


1. Get those big puffies that are rated for that temperature range (Mine is from RAB, but The North Face or any leading outdoor gear brand makes those too). You know puffies are not made the same, some are thinner and some make you look like a giant marshmallow but they are warm.
2. Earmuffs and hat.
3. Buy insulated snowboots. There are many different kinds, some with more insulation than others (usually go by weight. For that temperature range 400 grams is fine) There are hunting boots that have like 1000 grams of insulation but that is too much. They are good if you are sitting and waiting to snipe, but not for walking around. Too much insulation and you sweat in your boots , no bueno.


4. Buy battery heated glove liners, throw on some mitts on top of those, and if those mitts have pockets for hand warmers then add handwarmers.




This is guaranteed to keep you warm, but speaking of eyeballs and eyelashes there are really no way around it. All you can do is take a break in between/limit the amount of time spent on the ramp.

A CP at my previous shop is very understanding about deviating from the uniform policy in this situation. When winter decides to be nasty, he is ok with us doing anything we need to do to survive. Sometimes it get so bad we need to shut the operation down for a day or two.

Actually, they do. You can move around the Aircraft in icy ramp conditions like you would under normal conditions without the distraction of falling on ice, so you get done with your Walk Around way quicker and that reduces your exposure time: therefore you don't need as much bulky clothing. You still need a good lightweight face mask and good gloves & hat that covers your ears. All those items can be very easy to carry in a backpack along with your Nano Spikes. YMMV.

But what would Bear Grylls do?

These spikes https://kahtoola.com/product/nanospikes/ ? Do they come with the kneeboard and headlamp accessory kit?

Even Bear would take the day off. Then he’d drink his pee. Because that’s what Bear does.

I do enjoy the variety of flying. The trip mix is good amongst the bases so you don’t get stuck just flying to the spokes of just one hub.

Got to see the Mayan ruins in Oaxaca on a 30 hour overnight.

Is Mexico flying better than an upgrade? I’m not so sure. But with United wanting us to fly up to 126 ERJs, 20 CRJs, and 25 175s, the company and ALPA are saying everyone on property now will need to upgrade.

But in the words of Dwight Schrute, “if onlys and justs were candies and nuts, then everyday would be Erntedankfest.”

Thank you.. :D

Will the 175 be in TYS? and could a new guy to Expressjet get the 175. Thanks

Unlikely for now. We have a 145 base opening in TYS soon, and it is small. Likely designed that way for ATL commuters since their base closed. It is likely to stay senior because of that.

The 175 has only had one bid for 4 airplanes so far and has gone senior because of the loss of DL flying any FO that was previously a CRJ CA must bid all possible CA positions to keep CA pay protection while temporarily displaced to FO. Again, all temporary, and further bids will make it more clear how senior the 175 and TYS will remain. I expect it to go Junior for FO's because the pay rates are the same and Senior FO's won't want to switch.