Originally Posted by CaptYoda

For me the travel part isn't that big a deal. I was going to be home this summer anyway. Positive Space from a U.S airport seems fair. I think part of it is that they don't want to deal with ticketing issues overseas and all that it may entail with security etc etc.

Regarding travel benefits, yes that does. I will consider AAG but knowing that there won't be travel benefits after retirement makes ENDV and others equally appealing, since I am not concerned about the flow as much due to age and stage in life.

Originally Posted by Theaveragejoker

Captyoda, I do believe flight benefits for retirement are a formula based equation. I just talked to a union rep and he says you'd be eligible.

Originally Posted by GoNova

As a new hire you will be on the jet, I don't think we even have reserve lines on the jet meaning you will hold a line immediately.

Prior 121 depends how much flight time you have, if 1000 hours you just need to complete training including SPE (first 40 cycles) then bid. So about 3-5 months. There are some training delays currently.

The flow times can be under 4 years with really good circumstances this is mainly based on growth and when you hop on. We don't know what our final target is in terms of pilots and planes but we do know it's a lot more then currently on property. The more the number goes up the faster we flow. Flows have historically been used as carrots and have not proven quick but this flow does seem more promising.

Originally Posted by TheWrightStuff

For a new hire, I would say less than a 5 year flow is extremely unlikely. If you are the 600th pilot on property, and you assume the top 150 don't flow (currently top 100 are marked 'No'), AND you assume we eventually reach 7/mo in the flow (our pilot group would have to be at 850)...it's still a 5+ year flow by the numbers.

Now, the flow is real, and who knows how attrition will work out going forward, but 3-5 years? I don't think that's very realistic. I'm not Rainman, but the math above is probably the most realistic best-case I can think of. And even then, it's the best possible scenario. I'd say, plan on about 5-7 years to flow as a new hire at this stage in the game. But that's just me.

Originally Posted by GoNova

The key is if it is 850, but if American decides to grow PDT to a size similar to PSA now and you're talking 1200+ pilots you are talking around 10 flowing per month. If you're hired at 600 with 150 not flowing it's less than 3 years. Now that number assumes you get hired at 600 then instantly behind you is 600 more pilots which obviously is not how it works but it also does not consider outside attrition which we are seeing is increasing due to the massive legacy retirements and the ease of getting on board with the LCCs today. Obviously it all depends on total growth numbers, outside attrition, when you were hired but if it's possible to be less than 4 years and more realistically 6, you are talking about a legacy job you had a regional interview with in 6 years. If you are 30, you will be at American around 36 with 29 years of American ahead of you. I don't believe it's a carrot, it can easily be determined the flow can be around 6 years and in many cases faster. The only issue is something that would affect the whole industry and movement which at that point no matter where you go you will probably not be in good shape. Yet none of this flow allows you apply to the 3 legacy carriers and get hired before this 4 or 6 or however long year mark. Why not do it at an airline with the growth potential to flow faster than anyone, upgrade as fast as you can anywhere and be paid on par with the industry best. The biggest reason I can see not to come to PDT is if you need to live in base and don't want to move to Philadelphia.