I have crohns, so.... I'll be careful when I start flying but no promises. Haha


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Hi guys I would appreciate if you could answer a few quick questions for me? I'm a 757/767 captain for United and I'm trying to help out a friend who's interviewing soon with Piedmont.

1: Other then studying the Sheppard Air questions what else should he do to prepare for the interview?

2:How junior are MDT and PHL bases? Would he be able to bid to them fairly quickly as a new hire if he gets a different base assigned?

3: What's the day off range for line holders? How many days off for a mid seniority 50 percent or so in base, equipment and seat?

4: How many hours is the average line built too?

Thank you!

 

Sheppard and good attitude. Mdt yes, phl after a few months.

Plan 12 days off for midline holders.. likes ate built 85 to 90 hours.

Wroth your connection at United why not stear him to comuteair?

 

Thanks for your response. What's the max days off for a senior line holder?

Older pilot and his long term goal is to be based in MDT. Not looking for a career at Legacies. Second career and potentially PDT could be only career stop as this works for his personal situation.

 

No seat lock? That is hard to believe that they will train you in the Dash then send you back in less than 10 months for the 145?
Two types in under a year.....that will get expensive fast.

 

seat locked is currently being waived for operational reasons. Typical with rapid fleet growth and a pilot shortage. Also flying on your day off pays 300%. Piedmont is wholly owned by American so funds are basically endless.

 

Than pdt is where you want to be.. after a year in mdt i was top 10 and could get 13 to 14 days off.. if he has 121 experience he can go s straight to captain at mdt.. retirements are coming fast in mdt along with th flow of senior guys, so mdt is changing fast.

 

Thank you for your responses. The information was very helpful.

A few final questions:

1: When staffing normalizes and your not short pilots what's the minimum time line you can fly or drop down too? Can you fly as low as a 70 or 75 hour line?

2: Can you straight drop trips?

3: Can you trip trade?

4: In terms of days off what's the maximum number of days off for a senior line?

My friend is looking for maximum quality of life vs pay.

Thanks again.

 

A little insight from my perspective a fairly senior United 757/767 captain who pays pretty close attention to our hiring and industry hiring since I mentor a number or pilots.

One of the FO's I flew with recently attended new Captain Indoc at our company headquarters in Chicago. They get briefings from our senior management team including our new CEO Oscar Munoz. Below is some selected quotes from his email to me.


"Howard (VP of Flight Ops) spoke later and echoed much of what you have said. 40% of our pilot group in the next 5 years will be new hires. We are currently at just over 12,000 pilots and will be close to 18,000 in 5 years. I’m not sure how the math works since we are hiring 800-1000 this year and retiring around 400.

Fleet wise we are currently at 723 jets and will be at 816 by next year and close to 1000 in 5 years. They have abandoned a small narrow body for now (cs300) in favor of an “amazing” deal for 65 new 737-700s that will be coming next year. These will be used to replace the drawn down in 50 seat RJs throughout the system. Airbus fleet will remain largely the same with even distribution of the China Air additions. They do have an eye on Virgin Atlantic’s 52 320s after Alaska’s comments about being happy with their “fleet commonality”.

He also said we would be taking delivery all 35 A350s and definitely exercising the options for 15 more."

I can tell you we have hired just as many pilots over 40 then under. I flew with a 59 year old new hire and I know of one 61 year old new hire.

We have over 12,000 active apps on file but those are the same 12,000 on file at every other airline. I've talked to our recruiters and they are very concerned they will not be able to hire qualified pilots in five years when the pilot market really dries up.

FYI new hire pay now is around 80K first year well over 125K year two. Most five year FO's will be around 200K in a few years. I fly with some senior FO's who play the system and make more then me. Last years profit sharing was about 13 percent of our regular earnings this year should hopefully be the same. Also we have a 16 percent B plan. So whatever you earn the company gives us an extra 16 percent in our 401K.

My two cents - I'd leave your corporate job ASAP and get quality 121 time apply to the legacies as soon as you can, it will be worth it.

 

only if you have vacation and go for drops over pay is the only way to drop time from your line, even when 'adequately staffed'

lol no

yes

it varies, 12-15(rare)

if he lives near mdt/phl then qol should be ok