CONUS only aircraft @ UA, AA, Delta
#11
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2013
Position: Retired AF/A320 FO
Posts: 326
How does long haul compare on commercial side--I don't mind the long flights on mil side...it's the 24 hour days, min gnd turn time and delayed ground support that gets old. Last time I returned from Mexico I had to sit on the airplane for 2 hours and customs never showed at KNGU then had to drive my crew in a loaner van to the on base lodging at 3 am and wait an hour to get a room.
#12
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Position: Window seat
Posts: 5,157
N/b Caribbean has some big benefits -
Good weather
Slightly longer flights(?)
Less radio chatter !!!!! (Domestic will drive you nuts)
Almost all daytime flying.
You don't wait for customs like corporate or military. If it's a turn you don't even deal with the locals. In, unload, reload, launch. Same airplane = no bag drag.
Downside is customs everytime you land in the US.
Long haul has the time zone/all nighter issues. N/b Caribbean doesn't.
Good weather
Slightly longer flights(?)
Less radio chatter !!!!! (Domestic will drive you nuts)
Almost all daytime flying.
You don't wait for customs like corporate or military. If it's a turn you don't even deal with the locals. In, unload, reload, launch. Same airplane = no bag drag.
Downside is customs everytime you land in the US.
Long haul has the time zone/all nighter issues. N/b Caribbean doesn't.
Last edited by Sliceback; 03-30-2014 at 03:56 PM. Reason: Typo
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Position: Window seat
Posts: 5,157
Long haul ops? 8-10 hr flight. Usually leave 6-8 PM for Europe or 10-12 PM for S.A.
Land. Customs ( normally quick and painless ). Usually 30-60 minute bus to downtown. 24-36 hrs off. Fly back.
Flight back - arrive in the US 1-5 PM after 8-11 hr flight if Europe layover.
S.A. typically 8-11 hrs and usually land 0400-0600.
8 hrs + gets a relief pilot. Typically 1+45 to 2:30 break enroute (depends on flight duration)
Some guys love the long haul life and some guys hate it.
Land. Customs ( normally quick and painless ). Usually 30-60 minute bus to downtown. 24-36 hrs off. Fly back.
Flight back - arrive in the US 1-5 PM after 8-11 hr flight if Europe layover.
S.A. typically 8-11 hrs and usually land 0400-0600.
8 hrs + gets a relief pilot. Typically 1+45 to 2:30 break enroute (depends on flight duration)
Some guys love the long haul life and some guys hate it.
Last edited by Sliceback; 03-30-2014 at 04:04 PM. Reason: Hours, minutes
#15
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,889
I just transferred back to Domestic 737. Best move I've ever made. While I greatly enjoyed the intl first couple of years, it got old real quick. I was always tired and in a jet lag funk. Trips through customs were a pain. Security hassles, phones dependent on wifi, spending way too much $$$ on layovers....the list goes on and on. Like Slice says above - some guys love it, some hate it.
I just did a 3 day domestic trip with ATL and BDL layovers. Not in a million years did I ever think I'd enjoy it as much as I did. US controllers all the way. Digital atis and PDC. No customs. Phone works everywhere. USA Todays in the lobby. Quick ride to an airport with no security hassles. Flying over the good ol USA and American towns. Best of all, it was all daytime flying....no figuring out breaks, no bleary eyed sunrises after 10hrs of flying. That's just me though.
If you want to strictly fly transcons, come to AA: you can bid to only fly domestic, whereas at most other airlines they tend to mix domestic and intl. And you can get LGA 320 as a new hire, which is almost exclusively transcons to LAX and SFO.
I just did a 3 day domestic trip with ATL and BDL layovers. Not in a million years did I ever think I'd enjoy it as much as I did. US controllers all the way. Digital atis and PDC. No customs. Phone works everywhere. USA Todays in the lobby. Quick ride to an airport with no security hassles. Flying over the good ol USA and American towns. Best of all, it was all daytime flying....no figuring out breaks, no bleary eyed sunrises after 10hrs of flying. That's just me though.
If you want to strictly fly transcons, come to AA: you can bid to only fly domestic, whereas at most other airlines they tend to mix domestic and intl. And you can get LGA 320 as a new hire, which is almost exclusively transcons to LAX and SFO.
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Position: Window seat
Posts: 5,157
90% international in the last decade. International, long haul, w/b's, foreign countries is fun but like aa73 I'm starting to miss domestic flying.
The thought of having a divert field, or half a dozen divert fields, within gliding distance is a strange concept. If we had a 'mute' button for ATC it would be tempting.
The thought of having a divert field, or half a dozen divert fields, within gliding distance is a strange concept. If we had a 'mute' button for ATC it would be tempting.
#17
Count me in on the shortish leg camp. I changed units on the mil side to trainers just so I could stop the 17hour sortie stoopidity. That stuff about cured me from flying professionally.
#18
Meh...
Joined APC: Jan 2012
Position: Nunya
Posts: 240
You sound like you and SWA are a match made in heaven!
I've flown trans-oceanic and LONG duration ops in the military, and decided if I am fortunate enough to get hired by a legacy in the next 1 to 2 years I would prefer to fly CONUS hops (after I have seniority to hold a certain type). I know the larger aircraft = more money according to the pay scales, but it's not my cup of tea.
Which aircraft (if any) at the legacies only fly CONUS routes?
Thanks
Which aircraft (if any) at the legacies only fly CONUS routes?
Thanks
#19
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,889
Caribbean King is MIA/737/INTL... does all the "nice" Carib layovers such as Aruba, Curaçao, Grand Cayman, Cancun, Provo, Antigua, etc. They do throw in a little "S America Lite" such as Cali, Medellin and the furthest south point which is Manaus (that one apparently sucks.) but if you're a Carib lover, Mia 737 is what you want.
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