Hello all. Since we’re exploring the ins and outs of multiple other domiciles, I figured I’d ask for some SA on KDCA. How long to hold it, and what kind of flying is done out of there? I’m retiring from the USAF in two years and am curious about it because of proximity to family.
Thanks in advance.

Wheelz

DCA is an interesting animal for a few reasons. First, flying on the Airbus is 95% concentrated at DCA. There are a few Dulles lines, and literally 5 total trips out of BWI. Whereas the 737 flying is distributed much differently with more out of both Dulles and BWI. Second, pre-pandemic, 30% of the Bus lines were 1-Day trips either a turn to Florida(PBI, MIA,RSW,TPA) or a 4 leg “shuttle” to LGA and Boston. That percentage has gone down, but, I would bet it still is the largest % of one day pairings system-wide. The upside - a dream job if you live close to base. The downside - rough for a reserve commuter because of the early starts and inefficient use of a reserve.

Bus flying is a lot of Hub drive throughs, then overnight at a random outstation. There is some island flying, but the trip construction usually blows with a 0600 sign in and 2200 release.

Lastly, there are minimal redeyes and not a lot of 4 day pairings. The bulk of flying is 1,2, and 3 day trips.

Awesome write-up…thanks Snake! I’m assuming it’s a pretty junior base due to the cost of living and such. Can you get there pretty quickly as a new hire?

can probably get there either in indoc or your first attempt at a bid (3-4 per year) before you even leave training. Small base though. Over 50% of FO’s hired in 2021-2023

New hires are getting DCA directly out of training in some cases, and easily after 3-6 months. Though the cost of living can be expensive, there are a lot of reasonable areas to live within a 25-30 min drive of the airport.

Of note, it is a growth base with the Chief pilot recently saying they were growing from 120 CA and FO to 150 CA and FO on the bus. The gates are limited in that we are not going to get more slots, but can up-gauge a 319 to a 321 to add capacity. You see a lot of 321 NEOs there now because you have a short runway and the NEO can easily carry 196 pax to LAX if required.

Been based at DCA for over a decade now. 737 CA. Above is all correct, I’d also add that the 737 loses the the little IAD flying we have from around December through May, where the Airbus picks it up. Then starting in May IAD trips are all 737.
BWI also has a ton of 737 flying. I’d split it up like this: 65% DCA, 30% BWI, 5% IAD.
I haven’t really moved up much due to the fact that the 737 lost a bunch of flying to CLT. However it seems like the Airbus fleet is still growing.
Funnily enough, the Airbus is a lot more junior than the 737, at least on the CA side. I’m around a 5600ish company seniority and am sitting at 59% on the 737 CA side - if I bid Airbus CA I’d slide right up to 43%ish.
The 737 is also strictly domestic, meaning lower 48, Canada and non overwater Mexico (SJD, MEX, GDL.)
The Airbus is “international”. Everything above plus Caribbean and even some S America Lite.
Good luck, it’s a great base

All that was said above.

Junior, small, good crews. Airbus side, short trips, lot of shuttle flying and decent mix of trans-cons.

Biggest plus is being able to bid 3 day reserve blocks if you live in base.

Is DCA like PHL in that you only service that specific airport? Or is like MIA or LGA where it would be three airports?

DCA, IAD, and BWI

Thanks for the reply!