Assuming new hire drops stay more “normal” for the near future (320/737/756 to the coasts), what would one expect the fastest path to IAH be? I realize that the new hire classes recently that offered Houston were in 320s, but it’s also the smaller of the fleets. Thoughts?

 

I’d pick 737, 320 and 756 in that order.

 

Any pros/cons for those fleets. I know people think the bus is more comfortable, but does flying type and seniority make 73 more desirable? Is 756 mostly flying South America?

 

The 737 is definitely not as comfortable as the bus, but it isn’t as bad as people make it sound. The 737 is obviously the growth fleet considering our orders, and the base is much larger than the bus or 756 so there are more trips to build a line. The flying between the bus and 737 isn’t vastly different. Both do a bunch of routine domestic flying, but the 737 does more Central America and island flying. Nothing global is normal right now since trips use crews/fleets from other bases to cover flying as things change. The 756 is a small base and the flying is mostly deep south on the 767-300. Before covid it had 4 South America trips, 1 or 2 Europe trips, and a small amount of 757 domestic. As a new hire you’d most likely be on reserve much longer than the 320/737 and when you did get a line, it would be bunkie to SA for a long time. I’d say that if you live in base to just pick your poison between the 320 and 737 and wait to see if the 756 is something that you want to do with the seniority of your choosing.

 

Forgive my ignorance, but is it the case that the junior pilot always holds the “bunkie” position on augmented crews? Assuming all pay is the same, what are the specific disadvantages of that role? Having to go to TK for landings every 90 days, more fatigue, general boredom of never landing, etc?

 

you got it… if on reserve you’ll fly every once in awhile… as a junior line holder you’ll probably never fly enough to maintain landing currency. I’d expect that you’ll go to landings class once/twice a year. What’s the downside of being career bunkie? Your skills will atrophy and you’ll make more mistakes… so review the flows/maneuvers/limits before you fly… that way it’s more lack of doing than thinking. Nothing worse than someone showing up unprepared.

 

You also will have first break which means you are back there in the cabin during meal service. Even with the noise dampening curtain you can still hear a fair amount of commotion in the cabin during the first hour or so of your 2.7 hour break. Everyone usually has a good set of noise cancelling head/earphones to help with the banging and clanging sounds in the cabin though.

Also factor in these flights leave around 9pm, so your rest break will end around midnight Houston time and you’ll now be up all night each direction.

So if that doesn’t sound really pleasant, also keep in mind that IAH pilots have to fly these 4 day South America trips 4 times a month to hit the credit window. Not the most efficient trips which only yield you roughly 14 days off in a bid period.

 

Any inputs on good places to live at IAH. I’m married with family so not looking for clubs or anything. I’m leaning toward the Woodlands based on internet research.

 

I concur on The Woodlands being a great choice, and still close to IAH.

 

I’m a pool-y waiting for a class date but when someone told me this it really surprised me. I’m currently flying ACMI wide body international and we always rotate the right seat. Keeps people current and keeps training costs down. This is in no way a complaint or me trying to tell the company how to create policy but just an observation. Excited to get started and more then happy to ride the third/fourth seat for the foreseeable future.