DEN base
 

Broadly speaking, can anyone enlighten me on the timeline for attaining the DEN domicile? Also what is the base like? Aircraft, trips, etc? I assume it's rather a senior base, but that is simply my guess. Much appreciated.

Historically it’s a very senior base. But recently we’ve seen a bunch of growth which has caused more opportunity. The bottom pilots on the narrow bodies are less than 1 year with the company. Currently the 737, A320, 757, and 787 are based here.

Do you want a line or reserve? Reserve is attainable in a year but QOL in a base like SFO is better. There are fo’s bidding back to SFO because NB RSV sucks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ask again on the 22nd.

There is currently a vacancy bid open that closes on the 21st. On that bid there are 20 DEN 737 CAP positions available and 20 DEN First Officer positions available. Plus both of those vacancies allow the company to add additional awards if current 737 pilots at other domiciles take any of the 20 positions advertised (lateral in with no training required). So, there will undoubtedly be significant movement for the junior folks that desire DEN on this bid.

Though uncommon there have even been times in our history when DEN has had "unfilled" vacancies, so new-hires got assigned DEN straight out of training. Junior guy in DEN right now is about 700 numbers from the bottom of the seniority list, so I doubt there will be enough movement to cover all that seniority. However, it is a big bid not just in DEN, but across the system, so it could happen.

The first "snapshot" on the bid comes out on Monday, but the real results will be the 22nd or maybe late on the 21st, so that will tell the current story of DEN seniority.

yeah, but I always recommend making the big purchases based off the first snapshot :D

My current trip and my last trip, the FOs that I’m flying with have been in DEN for about two months (B737). Both have been with UAL for about 15 months. They have reserve seniority, but are holding lines.

I appreciate the information. I'm not yet on property, but hoping for the Hogan soon. Currently commute MSP to NYC, with no roots in the midwest. A few years of that makes the idea of in-base reserve sound not so bad. And a base as nice as Denver sounds refreshing after a few summers in LGA. All projection and wishful thinking at this stage, just gathering info should the opportunity arrive. Thanks again.

Just be prepared for how expensive Denver has become. It’s absolutely ridiculous, and so are the crowds in the mountains anytime you want to go hiking, biking, or skiing.

With what we get paid you can still buy something very nice 30-40 min away from the airport. Unlike SFO. And if you bid for week days off the crowds are fine.

Best part about this job and having no kids. Just be careful, Friday is the new Saturday...

Fair points, and I think for most people moving to Denver, it’s still a great place to live. I felt like things fundamentally changed for the worse after 2014, when the recreational marijuana law passed. I have absolutely no problem with that law itself, but it seemed to put Colorado on everyone’s radar and the Front Range just exploded with people.

The weekday fun day strategy is absolutely necessary, I agree. However, a lot of the newbs moving to Colorado are the millennial/gen x tech bros, with very flexible schedules like us. I knew the writing was on the wall when I was waiting in a huge line for chair 6 at Breck on a random Wednesday.

As a Colorado guy, I wanted to work at UAL all my life. That opportunity came up last year, and while I think UAL is a wonderful company, I just couldn’t see myself in CO for much longer. I had a simultaneous opportunity with another good carrier, and took that and moved from my “home” state.

Anyway, just wanted to add another perspective about Denver. It’s a nice place, but it’s quickly changing into just another big, busy, expensive city that is quite different from the place many of us loved even 10 years ago.

What were the results from the bid last month? Currently have a CJO so trying to estimate how long it might take (obviously depends on aircraft assignment) but hoping to get it within a year. Also how long is reserve? Thanks.

Last vacancy bid that closed on 11/19 had new hires not even out of training yet being awarded the 737 in Denver. People in my June 2019 new hire class held it with relative ease. Can't give you an accurate take on reserve times but I expect that it would be quite a bit longer than SFO or EWR but not too bad if you choose to live in base and don't mind having constant unused short calls and field stand bys broken off in your behind. Welcome and good luck to you.

One thing to keep in mind is that Denver is still very senior and that these vacancies have been created out of hub expansion, rather than attrition or normal advancement. You may get Denver, but when the expansion song ends, you could be on reserve for a very long time.

This^

Great advice...buyer beware

Also, beware- DEN320 lost 10% of it's flying in November and 8% December as they shuffle 737/320 flying around the system. No backfills DEN320FO on last few bids as they are overstaffed now. Take the 73 if you have the choice. YMMV

Exactly. The disparity between junior man seniority on 737 vs airbus in Denver is currently the largest in the system. If you got hired in the last 14 months and are on the airbus you still can’t hold Denver.

Good info. Thanks guys.

Any crashpad recommendations? Need one for two to three weeks starting in august.

Since this thread got bumped, any latest numbers/projections as to when a new hire might be able to hold DEN? Hopefully with more planes on the way and the added gates, there will be movement soon. Looking forward to driving to work some day even if it means forever reserve

Let’s also add in a list of good commuter hotels that might allow early check in options.

the nice thing about DEN for hotels is there is a light rail station. Look at hotels all along the light rail, because pretty much everywhere is within short call out time.

Junior bid hold for DEN 737 FO is about 250 numbers from the bottom of the list and DEN A320 FO junior bid holder is about 300 numbers from the bottom. So, it didn't go "unfilled" but it came close. If the positive trend continues it would be a very short time before you could get a lateral and then it would just be a matter of waiting until they "activate' the lateral and let you actually bid your schedule in Denver. Basically that part of the timeline is up to Manpower Planning and is entirely dependent upon their desires for staffing in each base as they look at the planned future flying. Sometimes you are "activated" immediately, sometimes it can be many months.

Given the 50ish per week of hiring right now 250-300 numbers is not even two months of hiring, so should not take long!

New hire here. The wife and I are looking to relocate to Denver in the near future. What's a good rule of thumb for a radius to make short call reserve with Denver traffic, public transit, winter weather or any other considerations I'm missing? Are any areas particularly popular with United pilots? It's been a while since we were in Denver for fun, but we loved the Golden and Boulder area. Looking at the listing prices though, we might need to wait till I'm bringing in wide body money to afford a place there! I plan on driving around while I'm in training to find some places, but any leads would be appreciated!

If you like Golden and Boulder you won't find anything like them. But you can make it to DEN on a 3 hour call out from anywhere on the front range between Cheyenne/Laramie and Pueblo.

The question is, do you want to work in the TK or not? If you do, closer to that is better. There are some nice affordable townhomes going up along the I70 and I25 corridors in the Denver area that you can afford on narrow-body pay.

Last I lived in Denver (1998) you could get a home in Highlands Ranch/Littleton for $200k. I had friends in mansions in Conifer for $700k. Not pretending like I know the market now but I’d be very surprised if you could get into Boulder/Golden for under a million for a fixer upper. $1.5M sounds more reasonable. Not saying you can’t afford it but home prices are sick in those areas. The most desirable towns in the Denver metro. Makes me wish I’d bought in Evergreen the first time I lived there for an astounding $150k.

DEN base
 

The Front Range has changed a lot over the years. I was stationed at Lowry AFB in the late 80’s. We moved here 4 yrs ago and we’re astonished how much. In my opinion, unless you HAVE TO live in Golden/Boulder, it would be crazy to move there. With that said, it’s not impossible, just a lot more expensive to do so.

Next thing I would consider is your commute. Use google maps and see what it would take during different times of the day. You can do that easily from where you are living now. It’ll more than double in some places during rush hour. If you can stay outside 470, you’ll be happier.

We live in Loveland now, just south of Fort Collins. I’m at TK and the wife splits her time between TK and Cheyenne ANG. For us, being close to RMNP is more than worth being an hour from TK. The airport is a breeze of a drive being that you stay outside of 470. However the toll is high at $25 round trip.

Lots to consider. A monthly trip out here over several months is well worth the cost. Grab a hotel and spend 2-3 days in each area. We did for almost 6 months. Learned a lot. In our opinion, we ended up in the perfect place.

$25...and worth every penny! I70 is a parking lot at least twice a day and or whenever a drunk or pothead makes an error at 85mph...

Potheads usually bumble along at 25 or less from what I've seen. Otherwise agree

For the original question, agree that getting to know the different areas over a few trips would be well worth your time. Lots of cool areas but everyone's priorities are different.

Look around the southern suburbs of Denver. Lakewood to Centennial.

For a first time resident I’d recommend the Centennial area, best bang for your buck on a home if that’s even a thing in Denver (it’s not). I225 northbound never has heavy traffic, of course until you have to merge onto I70 for a few minutes. I’d say a 25-30 minute drive to the airport.

I’m currently residing in DEN commuting to SFO until I can hold a line so feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

My wife and I have lived all over the metro area. We are 27 now so while not old, we grew out of wanting the downtown lifestyle. We ended up buying a house in downtown Littleton and love this area. We can walk to bars, restatements etc with our dog and everything we typically need in with five to ten minutes. 40 mins to the airport and I225 traffic isn’t terrible.

It's $11.60 roundtrip if you have the ExpressToll transponder.

Still commuting?
 

Hey there! Got my CJO a couple weeks back and have been reading the forums trying to gauge how long it’ll take to successfully bid for Denver as a domicile. My wife and I have lived here for some time and consider it home. I definitely know I’ll have to commute for a while, but seeing what your experience has been? I’d bid 73 or A320 at class, and then it seems I’d have to choose either SFO or LAX… going to avoid EWR like the plague. interested in your thoughts on that part too I suppose! Thanks in advance!

You’ll likely get den in your first vacancy. There’s no set timing of them but right now they’re occurring every few months. Keep in mind LAX has to cover three (maybe more airports?), SFO only two.

What I've gathered from this thread is that DEN737 or DEN320 is easily attainable however could be a long time on reserve. What about those who get 756, 787, 777 out of training and can't downgrade but want to get DEN. About how long to hold the base, and how many years to become a line holder?

2 years, to take a 737 or 320 bid. Could change in the future, but as of right now that’s the quickest way back.

Its going to be longer on those fleets. You want DEN, go Airbus or 737….

787 would be 3-5 years to get your foot in the door. 756 probably a year. Both would be on reserve for a long time after they get there. This may trend faster now that Denver is ungodly expensive.

Been here almost 23 years (LUAL side) and would be on reserve in DEN787FO this month. And double digits away from the G Line. That'll change but that's what it is right now.

What? Latest vacancy that closed had June and July 22 hires in Denver... The new one that's open has August hires ..

Sent from my Pixel 6a using Tapatalk