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IAD Base
Recent CJO and awaiting a class. Super excited and can't wait to join the team!! I'm retiring from the military and have zero 121 experience, so I've been searching all the threads trying to get as much info as possible for my new career. My wife and I love living just outside of DC and with the kids and her already established, we're not moving anytime soon. I'm hoping some of you fine aviators might take a minute or two to answer a few questions that I have about the DC base.
1. Is every A/C based there? (I think every plane but not sure) 2. 737 or 320? Don't care about C/P size. I did most of my career in fighters and the past 2 years have been in a G-550 flying 9-12 hours with a Yoke. I'm more concerned about seniority, movement, destinations, etc. 3. What if I got assigned the 756? Will I be sitting reserve more? I mean...will it be painful or is it better to be on a narrow body out of DC? 4. Can someone post or comment on seniority for the different platforms? Just curious how junior 777 is. Hope these aren't too vague of questions to ask. Almost all my friends have been hired by Delta and I only know a few guys at United. I'm not really close with them and none of them are based in DC. So I've turned to the internet for help!!! |
PM sent...
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1 Attachment(s)
Originally Posted by Dragon Rider
(Post 2752635)
Recent CJO and awaiting a class. Super excited and can't wait to join the team!! I'm retiring from the military and have zero 121 experience, so I've been searching all the threads trying to get as much info as possible for my new career. My wife and I love living just outside of DC and with the kids and her already established, we're not moving anytime soon. I'm hoping some of you fine aviators might take a minute or two to answer a few questions that I have about the DC base.
1. Is every A/C based there? (I think every plane but not sure) 2. 737 or 320? Don't care about C/P size. I did most of my career in fighters and the past 2 years have been in a G-550 flying 9-12 hours with a Yoke. I'm more concerned about seniority, movement, destinations, etc. 3. What if I got assigned the 756? Will I be sitting reserve more? I mean...will it be painful or is it better to be on a narrow body out of DC? 4. Can someone post or comment on seniority for the different platforms? Just curious how junior 777 is. Hope these aren't too vague of questions to ask. Almost all my friends have been hired by Delta and I only know a few guys at United. I'm not really close with them and none of them are based in DC. So I've turned to the internet for help!!! IMHO, sitting reserve at home can be one of the best gigs at the airline. It's commuting to reserve that causes the pain. Here's the junior man list. Lots of options in DCA (the UAL base name for IAD/DCA/BWI). Note that this list only shows the most junior pilot in each seat. A list that showed the junior line holder, or say, the 40% percentile would look remarkably different. |
Thanks for the info!! This helps.
Ah yes...kind of feel like the FNG joining the fleet for the first time learning all the slang..haha. But I can't wait start the adventure. I'm both nervous and excited at the same time. |
Recommendations. When you start, On your ride home on days off jumpseat to help learn and understand how the crm works. Crew concept is one of the hardest for military fighter pilots have. And if you are jumpseating on the plane you are awarded will help with flows and fmc.
Good luck have fun and welcome to UAL. |
Welcome to United! You're going to have a great time. If your background is what I think it is, you've got the CRM part nailed day one.
If you don't care about the cockpit, the Guppy will offer you more money, better quality of life, and greater seniority in the seat. |
Originally Posted by Dragon Rider
(Post 2752635)
Recent CJO and awaiting a class. Super excited and can't wait to join the team!! I'm retiring from the military and have zero 121 experience, so I've been searching all the threads trying to get as much info as possible for my new career. My wife and I love living just outside of DC and with the kids and her already established, we're not moving anytime soon. I'm hoping some of you fine aviators might take a minute or two to answer a few questions that I have about the DC base.
1. Is every A/C based there? (I think every plane but not sure) 2. 737 or 320? Don't care about C/P size. I did most of my career in fighters and the past 2 years have been in a G-550 flying 9-12 hours with a Yoke. I'm more concerned about seniority, movement, destinations, etc. 3. What if I got assigned the 756? Will I be sitting reserve more? I mean...will it be painful or is it better to be on a narrow body out of DC? 4. Can someone post or comment on seniority for the different platforms? Just curious how junior 777 is. Hope these aren't too vague of questions to ask. Almost all my friends have been hired by Delta and I only know a few guys at United. I'm not really close with them and none of them are based in DC. So I've turned to the internet for help!!! DCA has every fleet. You will have plenty to choose from and the movement is good. IAD has a great staff which is very supportive. The DCA domicile covers three airports, IAD, DCA and BWI. Most of the BWI flying seems to be sucked up by folks living close to that airport if you want to avoid it. You'll be on reserve for a while but the movement is quick these days. You'll probably be holding a line in 6-10 months if you go A320 or B737. If you get on the 757/767 quickly, you will be on reserve far longer, probably over a year. The B777 is going to take a while to hold, maybe 2-3 years depending on how much flying and movement we see. IMHO, narrow body (especially B737) is the best flying and best QOL in the system. The A320 is stagnant at best and all the good flying on that fleet has left DCA. B737 is the future for NB flying, by far. Lots of destinations to choose from and lots of different types of trips, 1 day, thru 4 day. Congratulations....with a good attitude you'll have a GREAT second career with United! - Octa |
Originally Posted by Dragon Rider
(Post 2752635)
3. What if I got assigned the 756? Will I be sitting reserve more? I mean...will it be painful or is it better to be on a narrow body out of DC?
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The 737 cockpit is the worst cockpit ever in my opinion. Great plane to fly, absolutely awful cockpit to sit in for 7+ hours a day. Especially if your 6’ or taller. Noisy AF too. The Boeing die hards will get offended and say opposite of what I did. I Flew it for 10 years. Never again. We have the most of those so your quality of flying and choices of trips will Be huge but you’ll pay a price in the cockpit. Not trying to be Sally Saggy Tlts but Just throwing My 2 cents out there. Welcome to UA.
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Originally Posted by IHateYou
(Post 2752868)
The 737 cockpit is the worst cockpit ever in my opinion. Great plane to fly, absolutely awful cockpit to sit in for 7+ hours a day. Especially if your 6’ or taller. Noisy AF too. The Boeing die hards will get offended and say opposite of what I did. I Flew it for 10 years. Never again. We have the most of those so your quality of flying and choices of trips will Be huge but you’ll pay a price in the cockpit. Not trying to be Sally Saggy Tlts but Just throwing My 2 cents out there. Welcome to UA.
Better living through medicine and will prevent 0200 reserve callouts during your first two years. |
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