DCA: Guppy or Bus?
07-26-2018, 05:09 AM
#1
Line Holder
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Joined APC: Oct 2005
Position: EMB-120 FO
Posts: 31
DCA: Guppy or Bus?
So the way I understand it is that at United the 737 typically goes more junior across the board. The bid info packet that I received before going to BI shows the anticipated most junior positions. After both aircraft in EWR and SFO, it has DCA bus listed followed by 737. I suppose that makes sense because it also shows that DCA has four times the amount of flying on the bus over the 737.
So if one is trying to get into DCA, which aircraft do you all recommend bidding for if given the choice? Also, is the percentage amount of flying for each airport in the DCA base mostly the same for both planes, mostly IAD?
So if one is trying to get into DCA, which aircraft do you all recommend bidding for if given the choice? Also, is the percentage amount of flying for each airport in the DCA base mostly the same for both planes, mostly IAD?
07-26-2018, 05:30 AM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2007
Position: A320 Captain
Posts: 1,982
Originally Posted by Derek
So the way I understand it is that at United the 737 typically goes more junior across the board. The bid info packet that I received before going to BI shows the anticipated most junior positions. After both aircraft in EWR and SFO, it has DCA bus listed followed by 737. I suppose that makes sense because it also shows that DCA has four times the amount of flying on the bus over the 737.
So if one is trying to get into DCA, which aircraft do you all recommend bidding for if given the choice? Also, is the percentage amount of flying for each airport in the DCA base mostly the same for both planes, mostly IAD?
So if one is trying to get into DCA, which aircraft do you all recommend bidding for if given the choice? Also, is the percentage amount of flying for each airport in the DCA base mostly the same for both planes, mostly IAD?
If you want into the base, 737 would probably be the best option. There should be multiple bids in the fall that will get you here.
07-26-2018, 09:02 AM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2014
Posts: 699
Lots to unpack here....
G-line seniority (line holder) is about 600 numbers more senior on the bus than guppy regardless of most junior; that’s a better indicator of how long you’d be on reserve. Do you live (or plan to) local to one of the bases? Dulles is by far the majority of flying, but bus does higher percentage of DCA trips than guppy. BWI 737 trips are largely non-commutable unless you live in a SWA hub, but lots of MD peeps bid those.
Everyone in my class who bid an aircraft in an attempt to have better seniority at their desired base was wrong within a year. Caveat emptor. If you’re wrong, you can swap in two years.
G-line seniority (line holder) is about 600 numbers more senior on the bus than guppy regardless of most junior; that’s a better indicator of how long you’d be on reserve. Do you live (or plan to) local to one of the bases? Dulles is by far the majority of flying, but bus does higher percentage of DCA trips than guppy. BWI 737 trips are largely non-commutable unless you live in a SWA hub, but lots of MD peeps bid those.
Everyone in my class who bid an aircraft in an attempt to have better seniority at their desired base was wrong within a year. Caveat emptor. If you’re wrong, you can swap in two years.
07-27-2018, 01:26 PM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2007
Position: 767/757 CA
Posts: 2,610
Originally Posted by Derek
Sounds like what I have then may be a typo based off what you guys are saying. Makes sense to me that the 737 would go more junior. Thanks for the clarification guys!
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