Originally Posted by rvfanatic (Post 3397838)

Fair point but there is money to be made at UAL living in base and being senior. It does seem to me that the play at brown is to get in and get out ASAP. Lots of early retirements whereas United guys tend to enjoy their job more and stay until 65.

Originally Posted by Grease (Post 3397862)

I think a lot of those guys/gals that retire at UPS early see their 7-figure retirement accounts, plus a 6-figure annual pension, and decide that they can scrape by without working until 65. There’s less motivation to work when you’re that financially secure.

Originally Posted by threeighteen (Post 3397901)

Exactly. Working to 65 makes sense at UAL because there’s no pension that kicks in at 60 like it does at Brown and Purple, in fact, at purple if you’re fully vested in the pension by age 60, you’re giving the company $130k worth of free labor every year you stay beyond that.

Originally Posted by FlyFast52 (Post 3395565)

I have a CJO from both UPS and United…. Advice?

Originally Posted by GoCats67 (Post 3395602)

Definitely first world problems!!

If you are thinking that the move to N Virginia is going to happen I would definitely say UA. Commuting loses to driving to work every time.

As far as upgrades go, NB Captain went unfilled in DCA (as well as EWR, SFO,and LAX) on the vacancy bid in December, so getting a Captain slot in less than 4.5 - 5 years seems fairly likely.

Washington offers every airplane we fly, so if you wanted to try WB Intl you would absolutely have that available as well. If you don't want that, no issue just stay on the 737 or A320.

The Washington base does have to cover DCA, IAD and BWI. The 777 and 787 only fly out of IAD and that is where the base offices are located. The 756 flys predominently out of IAD, but you could theoretically see trips that start in BWI or DCA. The 737 and A320 fleets fly out of all three and the percentages of trips that start and end in each location vary month to month. I am sure a DC person could weigh in on which fleet sees more of each location. IAD has the most flights, so I think no matter the fleet that is where most of the trips start and end.

Here is the current language on call out times for Short Call reserves:
20-A-4 Call-Out Time
20-A-4-a A Reserve in a Short Call window or a Lineholder in a telephone availability window must be able to report for duty (call-out time), including to a Field Standby assignment, no more than two hours and thirty minutes (2:30) after the Company’s initial attempt at contact. Consideration shall be given to heavy traffic, construction, and similar circumstances. When the call-out time is less than three (3) hours, to effectuate an on-time Departure or a Field Standby report time, the Pilot may elect to pay for parking closer to the terminal and shall be reimbursed for such expense. Additionally, at Bases with co-terminals, consideration shall be given if the Pilot is given an assignment that reports at an airport that is not the primary airport of the Base.
20-A-4-b If such a Pilot accepts and fulfills a call-out time requirement that is from one hour thirty minutes (1:30) to two hours fifteen minutes (2:15) of the Company’s initial attempt at contact, he shall receive one (1) hour of Add Pay. If a Pilot accepts and fulfills a call-out time requirement that is less than one hour thirty minutes (1:30) of the Company’s initial attempt at contact, he shall receive two (2) hours of Add Pay.

I believe in Washington the 2.5 hour callout time is a little fuzzy as you may be 2 hours from IAD but more than 2.5 from BWI or vice versa. So, if you can show that you are within 2.5 hours of one of the airports you are prob ok. ( I am not a lawyer so don't take my word on this, ask the ALPA folks when you come aboard)

Originally Posted by Ice Bear (Post 3431680)

This is an awesome post for the logistics of reserve for new hires. Much appreciated.

Can anyone chime in on the "Primary Airport of the Base" or confirm that you only need to be within 2.5 hours of one of them? Is IAD primary for DC area and EWR for NYC? Assuming an equal commute to both cities, could anyone weigh in on local reserve life for either Airbus or 737 (e.g. NYC reserve is friendlier to 737 pilots, DCA to Airbus, etc)? Thank you so much!

Originally Posted by FocusedFlying (Post 3440775)

Sorry to reinvigorate this old thread. Anyone know what the average trips are like at United vs UPS? What is the average trip length? Type of flying? I keep hearing United - shorter trip lengths, but probably working more days overall with less pay vs UPS - longer trips and times away from home, but also large chunks at home and better pay. Can anyone with actual expertise and knowledge chime in? Thanks!

Originally Posted by rvfanatic (Post 3440821)

What you’re hearing is correct. United usually you’ll fly 3-4 day trips. Summer time gone about 18 days a month, less the rest of the year. I just had lunch with a UPS buddy who hired on same time as me. He’s blocked 20% less time his total career there than me, and made 33% more than me on his 2021 W2.