Just got hired... Headset, luggage, etc...?
 

Hi everyone,

Just got hired into the airline pilot ranks and I'm very excited to get started with my class next week.

But I had some questions, and since most everybody here seems knowledgable, friendly, and helpful, maybe you could share your $0.02.

I assume nobody uses typical GA David Clark headsets in the airlines (or do they?), what sort of headset might you recommend?

I also don't have much in the way of luggage, so I may need to make a purchase this week. Does every pilot take a small roller suitcase on every trip? Any size requirements for that (does it need to meet typical carry-on requirements?). Also, where do you put it while you're flying?

Anything else a new regional FO should really, really have? Thanks all!

Actually, a lot of rj guys use David Clark's. Some use clarity aloft, and some use the bose x. It really depends in the airplane what is best, as some are louder than others. The crj for example is very quiet. I often forget to turn the ANR on, and it's not a huge difference since the engines are so far away.

As far as luggage, most use either the luggageworks stealth 22" bag, or something from travel pro. There are a few other decent brands out there, but most off the shelf suitcases will disintegrate in a few months. You didn't mention who you're working for, but I'm sure your carrier offers some sort of discount on at least the LW bags. If you decide to go with LW, don't get the 26", get the 22". Two of those is almost exactly the capacity of the crj7/9 bin. I've never flown a 200, so I'm not 100% if those bins are the same size.

Some guys don't bring a suitcase on certain trips, however you can always get reassigned/jra'd and get stuck with a last minute overnight, so it's a good policy to always bring your suitcase.

One thing you may want to pick up is a 3-1-1 travel bottle set for shower gel/shampoo/etc. If your carrier allows the use of iPads for charts, look into portable external batteries. For that, I use the mycharge hub 9000 ($80 on ebay). It'll save you from ever having a dead phone/ipad.

As for pilot shirts, check out acutaboveuniforms.com. Either their fitted or tapered shirts fit WAY better than most other brands, and don't have several handfuls of extra material in the back. Get a pair of comfortable shoes that don't contain any metal, it will save you from needing to remove them when going through the magnetometer at security.


Otherwise:
-be nice to gate agents. They can sometimes work magic, and they will remember you.

-if you non rev somewhere, introduce your self to the crew and be polite. If you're trying for the jumpseat, remember that you're REQUESTING the jumpseat. If you're a jerk, they can always tell you to take a hike.

-don't take what people say on APC too seriously, there are trolls about. We all hold more or less the same qualifications and do the same job, don't look down on someone because they work for someone else based on Internet reputation.

-don't let the negative people you fly with get you down. Being a regional pilot is a grind, especially for he first few years. You WILL get bumped off of flights/jump seats, you WILL divert, and everything else you can imagine probably will happen. Just know that hopefully your investment will pay off some day, and keep your head up. A good attitude is contagious.

Lastly, good luck!

Thanks for all the info! It's tremendously helpful. My David Clarks give me a headache after a while (David Clamps), but maybe I can get away with them for a while then. I'm also learning about "TSO approved," do you know if David Clarks are?

Since you mention the carrier could make a difference, it's Mesa. Would they go through potential luggage discount information during Indoc?

I hadn't even considered uniform. Is that ever provided or is it the pilot's responsibility? How many shirts does a pilot typically need?

Thank you again.

Any interview gouge?

I'm not 100% about dc's being tso, but their website may say so. I work for mesa, so I can tell you that they're $190 or something compared to the usual $300 for the LW 22". They go though all of that during ground school. I used to use a DC, but switched to the bose x. You can get them used for about $400 on ebay. Bose refurbishes even the most broken ones for $175.

On your initial uniform order, they pay for half of your outer garment (blazer, leather jacket), and half of your 2x pants order. Each year they'll pay for 1/2 of replacement pants. I bought 8 shirts, but 6 is probably plenty. Again, they walk you through all of that during ground school.

Another trick is when you're shopping for belts, being a kitchen magnet with you. A buckle that doesn't stick is better for not setting off magnetometers.

"When can you start?"

I think I got it right.

Just pick up the phone...

Sounds like a good deal on the suitcase. I don't suppose Mesa offers any Bose or Clarity Aloft discounts... Good to know about the uniform info too, and glad they walk you through it. Obviously I want to be prepared, but it's a little weight off knowing that.

Thank you again Navmode, I really appreciate it. First friend on these forums! Out of curiosity, where are you based? Maybe I'll get to fly with you sometime.

You can't help it can you? :rolleyes:

Clt. You'll probably get IAD out of training though.

I'm smelling flame

[QUOTE=deltajuliet;1674460] since most everybody here seems knowledgable, friendly, and helpful, maybe you could share your $0.02.

QUOTE]

That's funny!

Good post by Navmode, except during your first year, you might not have the cash to drop on a $250 roller board, a $500 Korchmar leather flight case, or a $1,000 Bose headset. Especially if your regional makes you buy your own crappy overpriced uniform too.

if you're using paper charts, I would buy one of those $30 catalogue cases from office max and a cheap carry on size luggage case for your overnights. You may need to invest in several rolls of duck tape a few months from now to keep em together, but during your first year you need to spend money on things you need, not things you want.

Whatever headset you are using right now will probably work, although the david clarks do tend to clamp the head on the longer flights. Maybe you can sell them on ebay and buy a set of Telex 750's or something.

One more vote for a cut above shirts here too.

Good luck.

They will most likely cover all of that in indoc. And it might be a good idea to wait on the LW until class because they are expensive and the discount is handy. Usually part of one of the first days of class you'll go get measured by the uniform lady. Or at least they will hand you a form to fill out in indoc with your size.

I take 2, sometimes 3 shirts on a 4 day trip and 2 pants. I also have a toiletry kit that never leaves my roller board. Same with phone chargers and all that. It just keeps me from forgetting stuff when I leave the house. I'm rockin' the same DC's that I did my first solo in back in 2001. So they work in the CRJ.

You might want to look into the Ebag coolers. They fit perfect on the LW's and they have a zip out liner so when you spill something its an easy clean up.

Welcome to the Regionals! I agree with everything the poster said above.

Are you classified as human?

Please place the phone next to your heart so we might verify a pulse

Yeah, was hoping to avoid Dulles... Chicago would have been good (nearby family), but it seems that's not in the cards now.

Right now I live in Phoenix so getting based here would be fantastic, but with how senior it is we know that pretty much won't happen. A friend told me you bid for three domiciles you'd want in the order you want them. Should I even put Phoenix down, or would it help my chances to get CLT if I made that #1?

Ultralight, thanks for the tip on the Telex 750's. Luckily we'll be using an iPad, so it should save the hassle of paper.

Thanks ZBowFlyz, appreciate all the information. Also, I'm a real Eastwood fan - The Man with No Name is one of my favorite characters.

My advice: Do not sleep with a Flight Attendant.

I've been told that, and to not drink the coffee...

Solid advice.

"Which class date would you like"?:eek:

DeltaJuliet,
The best headset deal you will ever get is rarely mentioned on here. Buy a pair of Bose Quiet Comfort 15 Noise Canceling Headsets ($300), then go to Home :: UFlyMike and order the boom mic that they sell ($225). The Bose uses a single AAA battery that lasts for 40 hours--I actually tracked it--and you can use it when you are deadheading or non-reving to get some sleep.

It's a great set-up, and you will definitely thank me later. It works great in the RJ, and now I use it on the 737. It's light, comfortable, and easy to use.

The only catch is you want to make sure you keep it clipped to your epaulet band so that it doesn't get pulled if you get the cord caught on the armrest or under the seat...which, at some point, we all do.

I also second the LW bags. The 22" regular and stealth work in the RJ closet. LW is expensive and heavy, but well built, and will last a long time, and if you need it repaired, they will turn it around quickly. If you have to carry charts, I disagree with the cheap bag. You can either pay more now and only pay once, or buy cheap and pay the same amount (or more) over several bags. If you don't have to carry charts, a black heavy-duty backpack will do the job nicely.

Make sure you get all of your luggage embroidered with your name! We ALL have "the black bag."

Shirts...I try to always have 6-8 serviceable shirts in my wardrobe, and on reserve, carry two spares. As a lineholder, carry one. The rest will keep you stylin' between laundry cycles, and if you commute, you can leave a couple in your crashpad. Also, buy white T-shirts that are a size too big, as they shrink a lot. After a while, you will stop carrying spare pants because they get so wrinkled that if you need them, you can't iron them, plus they take up a ton of room. Keep some spare quarters in your bag in case you have to do laundry on a trip, which at some point will happen.

The post about a toiletry kit that never leaves your bag? Ask us all how we learned that. Same with the phone charger. One trick: I keep the charger in a shoe. When the charger comes out, that shoe goes on the floor. It does NOT go back into the bag until the charger is in it! If you lose a charger, ask any hotel front desk if they have chargers that guests have left behind. They always do.

Handy dandy tip #2: if you put food in the refrigerator overnight, put a uniform shoe in with it. It won't stink up the food, and more importantly, you can NOT go out the door and only have one shoe on. Once you pull it out of the fridge, you'll remember your food. Another hard-earned trick of the trade. (DON'T try to substitute by putting your ID in the fridge!)

Always pack for the string of reserve days/the trip you are assigned plus 1 day. And NEVER go anywhere without an overnight bag! Some do, but it's crazy. Most companies have a policy that you are supposed to travel with at least 3 days of clothes. If you have to carry charts, you need the suitcase anyway just to lug the flight kit around.

This job is a lot of fun, and the CRJ is a great plane. If you let yourself become miserable, returning to a state of happiness starts with a long, hard look in the mirror. Last, but not least, the most important gadget on the plane is the window. Don't forget to use it.

C'mon man, live a little. Try doing both at the same time.

You should be able to get back to PHX probably withing 6 months or less from your class date . That is all depending on movement and the expansion we are doing out west. I hope we open LAX soon, will help out all of the west coasters stuck on the east coast.
Goodluck on the training!! Our instructors are awesome and top notch! I had a great experience and just have a good time with your partner going through fllows and callouts and it should be cake once you guys work it out together.

I use DC's they work fine, still need to save up so i can afford new headsets but between paying off a student loan and cost of living on a new hire FO salary its tough.
Get the 22" LW works like a charm and it seems to be the standard for all pilots.

All solid advice, Centerline.

That's great news 207. The girlfriend is dreading the day I leave for class, six months to get back to PHX would be wonderful. I thought a year was being optimistic. Even LAX would at least be an easy commute.

Our management was right! Pilots will go to the lowest of the lowest bidders regardless of pay or contract. The regional model will never die...

Is it either/or on the blazer or leather jacket? Or is the blazer mandatory? Is the company picky on the specific style of shirt (usually the pocket is the only differing detail)? I have a few brand new Van Heusen Aviators from a previous job, I'd like to use them if I can, rather than buy new ones.

Another thing... Once you get to the end of systems.. If you have any time off, find out who is going into the sim. If you're quiet and ask nicely, most instructors will let you observe. Bring your profile/flow packet and follow along. It will help you learn how /when they're used, and when you can make callouts in your head before they say them, you know you'll be that much mire ready for your own sim sessions.

You can wear whatever white pilot shirt you want. You're required to have an outer garment; be it a sweater, blazer, leather jacket. They don't care.

Awesome, thanks.

A friend told me you bid for three domiciles you'd want in the order you want them. Should I even put Phoenix down, or would it help my chances to get CLT if I made that #1?

Put every base down in order of preference

Ok really?
I have to admit this thread was hilarious. Please let Navmode down easy....


Edit:
Navmode you first language can't be English?. Please don't take that as an insult. (If it is your straight up retarded.) It would explain how you can't pick up on the little hints..

All of my posts were directed to deltajuliet, and were in response to what he wanted to know in his original post. Exactly what are you suggesting I missed? Or is it so unconventional on APC to offer actual advice instead of trolling that it sailed over your head?

So are you over 50, or born in a foreign country?

Because my English is incomprehensible,right?

Jesus no! Its because you dont pick up on the nuances of the American slang, or you are from a different generation and dont see when the joke is on you. Nothing to be ashamed about.

Meah = Tool

I doubt if you are a left seater, otherwise that would explain why there might be a pilot shortage at least at your airline.

Who could do fit in the same cockpit with that ego?

The guy was just being legit.

Who do you think you are that you are picking on someone over the internet? That's pretty low.

I second the Bose QC15 + UFlyMic Combination. Looks for for the Bose on eBay and you can find a deal.

Don't know how much you have to carry at Mesa but this works great as a flight basin the CRJ 7/9:
SOLO Classic 16" Catalog Case PV50-4 - Luggage Pros

I was never able to find something at Office Depot that fit; they all had wheels attached which would most likely not fit in the plastic bucket on the CRJ.

If you're going to be using paper Jepps, consider a 1" trip book a necessity. The Standard Jepp Plastic Binder works great and clips into the mounted clipboard to your right very well.

I'm doing very well with a $100 black bag I got at Costco as far as luggage. YMMV.