I guess that 2 year upgrades at RAH will be more like 5 years for the new hires now?

Not likely. We're still growing. As long as that's happening and the majors are hiring the upgrades will continue. Upgrades times and hiring mins do not go hand and hand.

My training experience at HOU was the exact opposite, I guess.

We had the same ground instructor the whole way though. He had been teaching the course pretty much since the beginning of FSI getting the contract. Were able to use the sims, with the motion and visuals turned off, to practice flows. That was much better than the "paper tigers". The sim instructors I saw were all pretty sharp.

With the exception of one guy, our whole class passed. And that was with SH doing all the orals and checkrides.

...and as for RP being understaffed....no way. we're about 40 F/O's fat right now. S5 is a different story, though.

Do you think that will change as more 170/175s come on line? I know there's more on their way, just don't know which certificate they're headed to.

the last of the RP 175's come online may/june.... S5 then starts taking delivery of 175's for Delta Connection...

Thanks for that tidbit, Herc. I was fine with being put on the S5 certificate instead of RP, but admit to being slightly disappointed that S5 didn't have any 175s. Good to know they're on the way.

170 vs 175
They are the same plane!

Identical cockpit, Identical systems, Identical Engines, et cetera. The 175 is merely a 170 with a 6 foot plug in the fuselage. Besides as an FO (or even captain on the S5 side), you will not see a penny of extra pay between airframes.

Ummm... I know that. I just think it would be cool to carry the extra passengers, so NO, they are not the same airplane.

Yeah we are 40 fat? I suppose that is why I get a call on nearly every day off. We look fat but most of the FO's are still listed as TRNs'.

I just got back from Indy. Word is that attrition has slowed for the moment, can't be by too much though I keep moving up. Growth is not tremendous, we'll have to see what happens with F9. I saw 132 in Phl the other day. I think it stops at 135. I know that there are only 35 175's planned for airways. F9 still gets 5 more frames, like I said we'll see. Delta wants us to keep the 135's on property since the Freedom fall out, again stay tuned.

Anyone else hear that we bid on Compass? Word on the street is Bedford wants it, we'll see.

Don't get our panties all wet they are 175's with first class so no extra money for Capt's. As if someone besides the flight attendants should be getting paid extra for another 6' of metal. We'll need to hire a bit for that if it happens, some will bail. If there flow agreement holds water they maybe able to go to new Delta. I hope somebody is getting a big stapler ready.

You new guys need to worry more about where you are based then what airplane you are on. Either way its better than that semi-hole your flying now. Quality of life is everything as an FO. Bid where you live. You can always upgrade to the jungle bus.