Hello,

I know airlines give those with seniority in each of the classes first pick at domicile, but I was just wondering what the chances are of you getting the one you wanted? For example, I'm hoping to work for Delta and if DTW (Detroit) is my first pick, what are the chances of getting it?

Thanks!

Lots of new hires getting DTW. It's very junior on the 717/320/737 so you should be able to hold it as a new hire or within an AE or two.

Melissa,

I've seen several of the threads you've posted. It's good to see someone trying to get an idea of what life as an airline pilot entails before getting in a lot of debt without other tangible skills and finding themselves stuck in a career they hate.

You should know, however, the way things are today are unlikely the way they will be when you finish flight training (for better or worse.) When I got out of school, the model seemed to be go to a regional, upgrade in two years or less, get your TPIC time and go to a major. Then in 2007/2008, all that changed. There are many of us who are 6+ year FOs or 10 + year CAs at regionals who can't get out. This is a very fickle, unpredictable industry. If your timing is right, you can have a great career, don't get me wrong. But if it's not, you may find yourself grinding out a less than desirable living at a bottom tier airline with no hope of escape save a career change and/or more schooling.

I hope everything works out for you better than it has for me. If it's your dream and you won't be happy doing anything else, by all means go for it, but know that you have a very wide range of possibilities with regard to how your career may progress.

EvilMonkey, an 8 year regional FO trying to get into another career...

Very apt advice. However, assuming Melissa is a female - it may not apply as it does to males...

If you get hired at DL anytime in the next 10 years, odds are you will hold DTW sometime between first assignment or worst case after one year (if you get something that isn't based there, etc).

As for the 8 year FO changing careers, yes this is a rough and tumble industry. But it rewards the lucky (which you have not been) as well as those that stick with it through the tough times. IMO unless you have a great career path on the sideline, you are buying high and selling at zero. I'd seriously consider leaving at this point unless you have a truly great job ahead of you in the short term, or unless you just don't like the nature of this one.

I'm on the referral list for ATC...retire at 51 with a pension...:-/ I like flying but I'm 30 making 40K a year with no upgrade in sight. Time to make a change.

Man, I wish you luck, but you might need to heed your own advice. If you think government pensions will still be around in 21 years, you best think again. Our country is broke, and those 40 year pensions for 20 years of service won't be around much longer, IMO.

Yep, it's a risk. I'm concerned because the other component of my retirement plan is a Guard retirement. I won't know until the day I retire if I did the right thing anyway. I don't think the flood gates everyone talks about at the majors are going to open, and if they do I'll likely be on the backside of the wave (furlough fodder.) I'm tired of not having a life and living like a pauper to fund my 401K.

Everything's a risk, maybe I won't end up with an offer letter before I turn 31 anyway.

Well I've pretty well hijacked this thread...sorry Melissa...

They are opening, and you are not going to be anywhere near the end of a wave.With the upcoming implosion of the regionals, I would wager that you should upgrade there pretty soon. And if you get an offer at 31, (heck even 35) you'll have an awesome career.... better than anyone currently working at an airline can say (except Spackler maybe)