New Hire Info
03-09-2026 | 01:22 PM
#171
Line Holder
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 38
We have about 55% 3 days, 20% 4 days, and a smattering of turns and 2 days. Schedules are generally split between an AM/PM/Red Eye split. Reserve is mainly 4 day blocks. They try to shoot for same start days when building lines, but they will do staggered lines (particularly with 3 day blocks of reserve). About 70% of pairings touch the weekend.
MDW has a healthy open time system both due to size and there are a lot of commuters which remove some of the competition for open time. You can also trade with the company and other pilots to adjust your schedule.
MDW can be held within a couple months of DOH, and it wouldn't surprise me to hold it out of training as the year goes on. It is generally only a couple months senior to the most junior Captain base.
03-09-2026 | 04:56 PM
#172
Line Holder
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 276
Likes: 1
What do you want to know?
We have about 55% 3 days, 20% 4 days, and a smattering of turns and 2 days. Schedules are generally split between an AM/PM/Red Eye split. Reserve is mainly 4 day blocks. They try to shoot for same start days when building lines, but they will do staggered lines (particularly with 3 day blocks of reserve). About 70% of pairings touch the weekend.
MDW has a healthy open time system both due to size and there are a lot of commuters which remove some of the competition for open time. You can also trade with the company and other pilots to adjust your schedule.
MDW can be held within a couple months of DOH, and it wouldn't surprise me to hold it out of training as the year goes on. It is generally only a couple months senior to the most junior Captain base.
We have about 55% 3 days, 20% 4 days, and a smattering of turns and 2 days. Schedules are generally split between an AM/PM/Red Eye split. Reserve is mainly 4 day blocks. They try to shoot for same start days when building lines, but they will do staggered lines (particularly with 3 day blocks of reserve). About 70% of pairings touch the weekend.
MDW has a healthy open time system both due to size and there are a lot of commuters which remove some of the competition for open time. You can also trade with the company and other pilots to adjust your schedule.
MDW can be held within a couple months of DOH, and it wouldn't surprise me to hold it out of training as the year goes on. It is generally only a couple months senior to the most junior Captain base.
03-09-2026 | 05:25 PM
#173
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,680
Likes: 316
03-10-2026 | 05:14 AM
#175
At your mom's house
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,702
Likes: 469
From: cpt 737
Upgrade un MCO- 15?
Its where the senior go to retire.
Anything can change.
03-10-2026 | 05:52 AM
#176
Line Holder
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 586
Likes: 19
From: FOD
I mean this with all due respect, but there's no telling how things will change in the next 5 months, let alone years. If you were asking this same question 5 years ago it would have been in the peak layoff/early retirement/ExTO period with no end in sight. Upgrade times and junior bases are just as unpredictable.
03-10-2026 | 06:26 AM
#177
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,680
Likes: 316
Most Jr is BWI right now. MCO ebbs and flows…some guys in my class got it as CA’s around 8-8.5 yrs seniority but they’re still really jr because nobody leaves MCO unless they retire or go in a body bag.
There’s no realistic way for anyone, at any airline to say with any certainty what will happen in 5 years. Think anyone at NK thought they’d be in their 2nd Ch 11 5 yrs ago?
03-10-2026 | 06:55 AM
#178
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 4,587
Likes: 429
Agree with future predictions. They are pretty pointless. You can go with the info you have now, but it will probably change.
MDW is and always has been a large base with a good variety of flying. Having talked at length with Spirit pilots I will tell you that the two scheduling systems are both very different, but both have the ability to really shape your schedule and/or pay situation. At Spirit it is easier to get days straight dropped. Once you get to know the system and contract at SWA, though, you can really utilize it to boost your QOL and pay.
MDW is and always has been a large base with a good variety of flying. Having talked at length with Spirit pilots I will tell you that the two scheduling systems are both very different, but both have the ability to really shape your schedule and/or pay situation. At Spirit it is easier to get days straight dropped. Once you get to know the system and contract at SWA, though, you can really utilize it to boost your QOL and pay.
03-10-2026 | 07:51 AM
#180
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,680
Likes: 316
ATL is the most sr CA base an 2nd most Sr FO base. People sneak in occasionally but I wouldn’t plan on getting in anytime soon. No word on it closing.
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