Godogs93

Hello all,

I have a class date coming up with SWA (one of the lucky ones whos class didn't get cancelled). I work for a regional and live in a senior SWA Base. It was my understanding from the new hire info sessions that it would be possible to get any base within 6 months of completing training. But that was before they ended hiring for 2024.

Here is my concern: From where I live it will be an extremely long and difficult commute to OAK. It would cause significant difficulties for me and my family if I had to commute there for a long time. It is my understanding that this is a very junior base and likely to be assigned to new hires. I am assuming that it is likely for me to be assigned OAK and with no new hires coming behind me, stuck at this base for a very long time. Is this a valid concern?

Thanks.

Juice69

The majority of the new hires have been going to BWI.

SetMCT

No. That was a long time ago and mostly CA upgrades. All new hires have been getting east coast bases and predominantly BWI. Not sure what the hiring situation is going to do as far as new hire placements but with BNA opening at the same time I can only assume that plenty of movement and options will still be available when you come through. YMMV

RckyMtHigh

Is it a valid concern? Yes, with caveats.

1. Where are you in the class dates? How many people projected behind you before the cutoff? 2 or 3 classes behind you and you're probably alright getting out of Oak (if that is indeed where you end up, new hires have been in every base over the last year or so).

2. New base opening in Nashville will spark some movement around the system. That may or may not benefit you.

3. Captain upgrades are continuing throughout the year. That should result in some movement as well.

4. Plans change. I know hope is not a strategy, but it's early in the year and the picture may look very different in 6 months.

It's not great news for you, but there will still be movement around the system throughout the year.

Smooth at FL450

the vacancy that closed last week has 1 new hire going to oak (voluntary) and the rest are maybe 1 or 2 months on the line and are bidding into oak from BWI (also voluntary).

e6bpilot

During your new hire class they will release a vacancy bid for your new hire bases. You will be awarded your base by seniority in your class (by age) and the rest of the system just like any other pilot. Your first two weeks to a month and a half will be spent in your IOE base, which is awarded by preference and availability via a sign up preference sheet. How long you are there depends on where you fall in the month and how long your IOE trips take. The remainder of your flying after IOE will be cobbled together from flying in the open time inventory. Once you get to your awarded base, you will be on weekend reserve.

Planning routinely shuffles pilots around by increasing and decreasing base sizes due to schedule shifts. Sometimes this results in big vacancies for various bases. In this case, new hires have gone to MCO, HOU, BWI, LAX, PHX, and yes, OAK. In our current low hiring situation, I would suspect the majority will end up in either BWI or LAX. That's just me spitballing, though. OAK is pretty mature as a base and most of the people there are there because they chose to be there.

Standbyzeros

You likely will get BWI, whether you want it or not.

Crockrocket95

Surprisngly lots of have been getting MCO...

123AB

Lots of great advice has already been given here, but if you don't mind divulging here what base you really want, we might be able to give you some insight. For example if you want Dallas it is senior enough on the FO side that there will be zero chance of you getting it until hiring picks back up again. However, BWI, MCO, MDW, LAS, OAK-E, and LAX-E can likley be had by you within a few months.

Godogs93

thanks all for the kind replies.

My desired base is ATL.