Thanks Kronan

 

Doesn't really matter what aircraft you're on. SAN has switched around over years but typically is covered by a 767 and MD-10 - at one point they had 2/day during peak but don't think that's happened in a while. Even on the 767 with limited jumpseats it typically is not a problem to get a seat. Bigger considerations

- if flying 777 or int'l you'll definitely have to jump in the period prior (i.e. take 630am flight from SAN, spend day in MEM and take 0230 flight out next day) - you can come back right away on back end of trip

- on domestic trips bigger problem is the jumpseat protection rule - I think (haven't looked at this section since I'm not based in MEM anymore) the "no harm, no foul" rule was improved on recent 2015 contract but in general about 1/2 the domestic trips will not make the rule when coming from San Diego. In other words you won't fall into the parameters for no harm, no foul if you miss the trip because of a cancelled or delayed jumpseat out of SAN. That rarely happens but can be a big deal - especially first year when on probation.

- on the rare occasion that SAN seats are packed you can usually jumpseat out of LAX or ONT. Offline jumpseating can be a challenge out of SAN as well heading towards MEM.

I wouldn't worry about the jumpseating part - there will be pain but it'll go away soon after you increase in seniority or pick a different base/equipment. Part of the deal.

 

To those of you who have interviewed recently... Is the RST ready set takeoff worth the money?

 

Without question. I was successful in two interviews and received two CJOs because of RST + ECIC.

 

I second that. ECIC and RST are money well spent.

 

Both ECIC and RST will give you your money back if you don't make it. Fail test and RST will refund you. Don't get past the interview part--so will ECIC.

I hate to sound mercenary on these boards. If you don't do our programs, do something. But don't be the guy who saves $400 but misses out on a job where new hires are getting 777s. Run the numbers.

Most guys hired 2002-2011 did some kind of sim prep. Two hours in the sim cost more than both prep services combined, but I challenge you to find one pilot on the property who said "it wasn't worth it..."

There are plenty of great pilots who have been hired here without any prep. The problem is that the stakes are so high that if you do stumble on that day, it might have cost you the chance of a lifetime. It will cost you at least 1 year of seniority.

I didn't start ECIC to make a fortune. I started it because back in 2001-2 I thought Air Inc was awful when I went to them for help. I managed to get hired here anyway, but I also made a trek to Savannah were I flew some Gulfstream sims for some practice. I studied weeks and weeks with the gouge that was out there for the tests, and I also worked for the company started by the same guys who designed the SBI. In short--I had resources and I used every single one of them to get ready for my shot in August 2001. I am glad I did, and every day that goes by I am more grateful to be here.

You do not have to use RST or ECIC. You DO have to prepare like its the job of a lifetime. Walking in off the street with the idea "they just want to see if I am the kind of guy they can live with for 14 days on the road" or "I already have 10,000 hours of 747 time..." will just get you smoked. To an extent that goes beyond what I see at Delta, United, and Southwest, the interview here is a PROCESS. Make sure you understand what it takes to be successful in every phase of that process, regardless of where you get your help.

 

Full disclosure. When I was in the interview process for FDX, I used Emerald Coast. I don't know Albie personally, but I have met him in the crew room. (I'm sure he doesn't know or remember me haha). But I have to FOOT STOMP FOOT STOMP FOOT STOMP his message.

MAKE SURE YOU PREPARE. Go to ECIC or even as Albie suggested ... a competitor. That's how honest he is about this stuff.

I had a former coworker who recently interviewed with FDX and didn't prepare. They ate his lunch. DON'T BE THAT GUY/GAL. This is not an interview you can fly by the seat of your pants.

Also, do get in touch with recent interviewees and discuss what they went through. Knowledge is power.

 

What does an am out and back look like that makes it so painful? Do all of the fleets have them or just certain ones? I live in Memphis and start indoc in a few weeks and am trying to figure out what option will work best for balancing work, home, and the military for the next couple years.

Thanks for the help!

 

Examples to random cities:

AM O&B. Dep 418a Arr 546a. Dep 740a Arr 906a.
AM O&B. Dep 318a Arr 630a. Dep 800a Arr 917a.

In both cases, you show at 218a or 318a and get back shortly after 9. Depending on where you live, that means waking up at some insane hour. You'll do this 12/13 or 15/16 times a month depending on a 4 or 5 week bid month. If you can fall asleep at 7 or 8p, then I guess it wouldn't be so bad. Good news is, you have the rest of the day at home. PM O&Bs do essentially the same thing, though they tend to get back around 11p-12a.

Every fleet has them. Although the 777 only has one PM as far as I know.

 

oops - runner beat me.

~0300 departure (plus or minus ~1 hour) with the normal morning wave outbound from MEM. 1-2 hour turn at the outstation and fly back. Arrive ~0900 (plus or minus ~1 hour). Typical duty time 7-8 hours, though better (shorter) ones will be under 6 and get back around 0800. There are occasionally trips with 3 very short legs (like BHM-BFM-MEM). Those suck even if the legs are short.

A typical line will be 3 or 4 identical trips per week. Some lines in a 5-week month have 4 trips per week on 4 weeks and one week off.

There are also pm out and backs that follow almost the same pattern 12 hours later, except they usually have slightly longer duty periods and get back ~2300 (plus/minus an hour). Some of those have 3 legs as well. The pms would be the senior of the two options.

All MEM fleets except the 777 have the am variety. All MEM fleets have the pm version including the 777 (it does one to EWR and back). No other base has them.

They can work for some local guys. Put your kids in bed (if they're little) and go yourself. Report around 0100-0200 at the hub and be back at your house to put your kids on the school bus if it's a good trip.