lightspeed12

I have no flight time and plan to start training at LIFT in December... I'm assuming it takes 3 years to get my ATP there.

I'm from KC and plan to bid for that base eventually. Questions:

1) how are the trips like in MCI? Day trips? 2 day/4 day etc... ? Would anybody be able to share a few sample trip schedules?

2) Is it uncommon for MCI-based pilots to fly to the Caribbean/Mexico/ Canada destinations (examples Calgary/Montreal/Havana/Bahamas)... ? Those are cool places to go to but I don't know if I would be able to fly there if I'm MCI based ?

3) I don't quite understand how long it takes to become a captain. I know things change but is it reasonably safe to assume 2 years as an FO and then upgrade to CA (at any base)? What about becoming a CA at MCI?

Thanks for your help!

KCaviator

I can answer these questions here or you can PM me. Whichever you’d like.

lightspeed12

Hey! Either way is completely fine with me. Thanks !

KCaviator

First off, 3 years is a long, long, long time to be making any predictions. Just be aware that the answers to your questions are present day information. This is all subject to change.

1) MCI has anywhere from 1 to 5 day trips. 5 days are the most uncommon. I’d say the majority fall within the 2-4 day range. There’s a decent amount of day trips as well. Random sample trips:

AA
Day 1
MCI-PHL
PHL-JAX
Day 2
JAX-MIA
MIA-CVG
Day 3
CVG-PHL
PHL-MCI

DL
Day 1
MCI-BOS
BOS-PIT
Day 2
PIT-BOS
BOS-MCI

UA
Day 1
MCI-EWR
EWR-CHS
Day 2
CHS-EWR
EWR-ATL
Day 3
ATL-ORD
ORD-MSP
MSP-EWR
Day 4
EWR-JAX
JAX-ORD
ORD-MCI

2) Canada: Yes, the majority.
Caribbean: Typically only Nassau for an overnight and maybe a few turns to some of the others, but don’t expect Cozumel, Roatan, etc.
Havana: No, those are day trips out of EWR.
Mexico: Rarely.

3) Current upgrade times overall are around 2 years. You’re looking at 3.5-4 years for MCI.

lightspeed12

Cool thanks for the info! Would you say that lift is pretty much the fastest way to get to republic? Or is ATP also an option?

LoneStar32

If it is a choice between Lift and ATP, do Lift. Not sure what is quickest, but it will be cheaper with Lift with the bonus.

Boeing Aviator

Flying out of EWR is there any DAL or AA flying? How many days off do the mid range and bottom level seniority line holders average?

lightspeed12

Question .. if I'm MCI based, can I bid for extra trips at other bases (example could I bid on a carribean overnight trip from MIA)?

Longhornmaniac8

Yes, you can bid trips during your days off. But if you really want those Caribbean overnights, you best look in the IND trade folder. They get all the good trips!