I have been looking at some of the Houston 320 pairings. For some reason I can't really find the typical 50 or 60 percent Captain schedule, so I was wondering if any 320 Captains might comment on a few questions I have.

1. What do you typically fly a month, hours wise. Hard time and soft time.

2. How many days off per month?

3. Do you like the schedules? What do you like, what do you not like?

4. fly many red-eyes?


Thanks for any opinions on the base, mission, and flying

Suggestion:

PBS ==> "CAT Award Reports" tab ==> select desired BES

(make sure your pop-up blocker is turned off as it opens a PDF file of the full BES award in a new window)

Really?
Prospective IAH 320 CA does not know how to find stuff on PBS?

I've got some questions as well with Airbus and United.

I know it's faster to get IAH on the 737 but how long does it take to get it on 319/320? What are the Airbus bases?

New hires are getting 737s I hear...how long to get Airbus?

QOL is the same on 319/320 vs 737?

American has a lot of Airbuses...but I really want United. Will the 319/320 be sticking around at United? Any aircraft upgrade projections? Newer Airbus?

Right now getting IAH is a crap shoot on fleet/timeline. Plan on two years for expectation management.

New hires getting 737 and A320, also 756 for a while.

737 has better variety of flying, more international and Hawaii. Airbus is not overwater equipped, no plans to be. Bus does more RJ type flying, some transcons, very few redeyes.

Lots of rumors, nothing announced. They are getting old, lot of 737max orders on the books. Take that for what it's worth.

I think the age of the plane is a canard. Look at DAL (Airbus and Douglas) and AA with USAir's old guppies. If the planes are maintained, they can still make money. And if gas remains cheap, this is especially true. During my last PC the Check Captain said the UA planes with the worst dispatch reliability were the new guppies. And given that UA is sorely in need of narrow lift these days, I think the Bus fleet is pretty safe for a while.

Is the 737 a good A/C to fly?
Pros and Cons?
Vs A319/320?

A320 is a miserable hate tube of aggravation, noise, discomfort and computer wizardry. Stay away from it! 737 is a Cadillac.

Unless you know what couple of switches to look for, 320 vs 319 are almost imperceptible. Couple of very minor systems differences.

This forum is filled with people who vehemently hate the "other" plane, and your question will, likely, incite considerable slanderous debate. In terms of "facts" here are those that I consider relevant. Keep in mind I have never flown the Airbus but I did fly the 737-300/500 for 2 years, and I am deciding between these two aircraft as well since I anticipate taking my first captain's bid this fall. I will say I have jump seated on both planes many, many times and can say unequivocally that the Airbus cockpit is vastly better from a pilot standpoint and the work load for an Airbus FO is WAY less than that of a 737 FO. You can find the "flows" for both cockpits online in the company training files and compare them for yourself.


Otherwise here's my list:

Airbus Pros: cockpit noise, cockpit roominess, training all in one location, training that is consistent, and instructors that all have the same background and philosophy.

737 Pros: vastly greater trip selection, better trip trading and senior manning opportunities in some bases, airplane logic likely more similar to what you are used to (assuming a back ground in turboprops or RJs)

I leave a list of negatives to the vocal proponents on this forum.

Here we go again.

While we all can appreciate your interest, I'd suggest keeping your eye on the ball---which is getting started as a pilot. The airline is filled with folks who were once in your shoes but it is a path with many obstacles and QOL of 737 vs 320 is the very least of your challenges.

By the time you get your ratings (and experience) the landscape will have changed so any "answers" here are completely meaningless. (We'll proabbly be talking about upgrade times on the CS300 in MCO.)

I wish you continued good fortune in your endeavor.