TeddyKGB

It is very easy / cushy duty Joey. I have never worked so little and made so much.

JoeyMeatballs

AA73^ everything you listed is exactly why I would hate it.

Sorry ForeverFO, you can have it all,lol

I like to torture myself

Sliceback

Conversation with SW bud. Lines avg 12 days off, most guys pick up 2-3 days additional. Estimated TFP avg at about 110, avg TFP/day about 7.25 = 15 days.



SW hrs per day - 6:10 est. (51 minutes per TFP = TFP x .85 = hrs)

AA hrs per day (dom) - 5:17

AA hrs per day (767) - 5:45 (7:07 per day flown)

AA hrs per day (777) - 6:33 (9:27 per day flown)



AA December flying (days) -



Domestic - 14.4

All intl - 12.9

767 - 13.3

777 - 11.6



That's published lines. Avg. 80 hrs domestic, 77 hrs intl, 777 76 hrs. Pick up a day = 85 dom, 84 intl, 85 777. Add two days = 90 dom, 92 intl, 94 777.



14 days domestic - 74 hrs

14 days 767 - 80 hrs

14 days 777 - 92 hrs

14 days @ SW - 86 hrs



15 days domestic - 79 hrs

15 days 767 - 86 hrs

15 days 777 - 102 hrs

15 days @ SW - 93 hrs





21% of FO's have deferred from upgrading. 12% of FO's could be 767 CA's. 40-60% (depends upon base) of 777 FO's could be 767 CA's in the same base. 80-90%(depends on base) of the 777 FO's could be n/b CA.

Nine percent of top 2000 guys bid FO by choice(188 w/b + one n/b FO!).



W/b international is significantly more senior to n/b domestic. Guys find the sweet spot that works for them and gravitate towards it and it's w/b international for various reasons.



The data shows why guys think there's a value in having w/b international flying - less days and more hours per day and usually front and back commuteable.

JoeyMeatballs

I'm sure listed it and I missed it but what is the DOH of the most junior WB F/O. Looking forward how long before a 2014 hire would hold WB F/O?

Sliceback

It's weird when you first do it. IOE and I'm sleeping?? Wake up from a 2.5-3 nap, head back to the cockpit and think "when they come back up we'll be starting down....no wait. Another 3 hr break!?"

"Dozing for dollars." 3 on/7 off. Month after month. Two weeks off every other month. With vacations and no trip trading 5 24 day vacations every year. Yeah, it sucks.

Asia, with the bunks and departure/arrival times, beats Europe hands down. Go to bed an hour earlier than usual, wake up at standard time or an hour later, and most of the time you're good to go.

AA73 - bunks rule. -300 overhead by yourself is huge. Pitch black and very quiet. Recent trip I hear a faint thumping noise. In the movie? No. Thump, thump. Look at video again...nothing. What the heck? Corner of my eye I see the #1 banging on the steps. Ear plugs had blocked out the phone ringing. Very quiet.



I did n/b a couple of years ago. Kids knew I'd changed something but didn't completely realize what. But they did comment on it - "you leave early a lot and get home late a lot." Long haul had less of an impact on my home life. But there are guys that can't stand it. That's the beauty of choices.

Sliceback

Junior w/b FO? Immediately. Last recall class, or second to last, had MIA FO slots. Future is unknown but I'd guess MIA will have 767 slots. Maybe LGA at some point but IMO lower odds(due to loss of 767 transcons = less 767 FO positions overall).

aa73

Yeah Slice the -300 bunks would prob make a huge difference. My problem was always not being able to sleep after crossing time zones, and the recovery. It eventually led to sleep issues here at home. Guys told me I'd get used to it after a few crossings... 4 years later I was still struggling. Finally realized I am not cut out for it. Long haul undoubtedly gives you more time off but not at the expense of my health.

Edit: as Slice said, MIA/767/FO will be an available position for new hires, according to the crew planning guru. As a matter of fact - that's exactly why I'm being withheld for a few months! (Short on the bid status.)

itsokimapilot

I think we are saying the same thing. No?

My only point regarding AA, is I've heard folks on here saying that they're gonna upgrade to Capt in 6 years. I just don't see that being the case for any airline. All this upgrade and international talk sounds like a dangling carrot. What we don't see is the next economic struggle that could potentially put folks on the street again. I may have had too much Koolaid, but the fact remains that SWA has turned a profit EVERY year for the last 41 years. Please allow myself to repeat myself. SWA has turned a profit every single year for the last 41 years. Zero furloughs, no discussion of bankruptcy. Naysayers will proclaim Southwest was just lucky, that other airlines were successful until they weren't. I'm willing to take that bet. I wish everyone the best if they choose to fly with AA. But, make no mistake, you'll be more vulnerable to being cut at AA than SWA for the next ten years.

But, then again, what the hell do I know. I'm just a knuckle dragging gear jerker!

John Carr

Clarification, are you saying SW lines average 12 days off?

If so, you SURE about that?

Sliceback

Oops. 12 days on. Pick up 2-3 additional days.