I doubt anyone who's flown multiple tranport types really "likes" the 737.

737 is most tolerable if you've never flown the A320... don't know what you're missing.

I don't think I'd give up any money to fly the bus, but I'd sure give up some schedule goodness.

 

the hate for the 737 is way overblown, imo. It’s….fine. Whatever. It’s not like I love it, but it has more people to trade with, you basically have to only cover EWR (as opposed to the Airbus peeps who are back and forth to LGA all the time; especially on reserve). It’s a tank of an airplane. I can count on one hand how many maintenance issues I’ve had in the past two years.

I’ve also met more than one commuter who has bid off the Bus because they said the trips weren’t commutable on either end (so a 4 day is basically a 6 day commute). I don’t have any firsthand experience with that, but that’s their reasoning. I’m also not exactly sure what base they were referencing, so maybe EWR is fine on that part.

the truth is, the 737 has more people, more planes, more trips to choose from in open time, and more base options, if you ever desire to go to MCO, LAS, GUM, or CLE.

If we used our Airbus like some other airlines, I’d say pick that; but we don’t.

 

Eh, don't get wrong. The Airbus is a good airplane and all. But, here I wouldn't give up schedule goodness and flying of the 737 for what the Airbus does here. If we were talking Delta or AA then it's a different conversation. AA Airbus flying is a lot like our 737 flying.

 

All great points, appreciate the feedback everyone! If anything its made me go back to 50/50. Ill just flip a coin when its my turn at this rate lol

 

To add to IAH vs EWR. I am coming from a ULCC as a 2 year 320 FO and I start in April. I am living in MCO, looking to live in IAH. I am likely in a situation to be forced into CA at EWR (or IAH/DEN). I know I could be a IAH FO while waiting to be activated as a CA in EWR, for example. How long would it approximately take to be able to switch to IAH 737 CA when activated after probation as a Captain? I know they have positive space commuting for a year so that would be extremely helpful in the wait. I am originally from the NYC area but would rather not go back there at all costs. The CA Pay and unprecedented opportunity to upgrade is enticing as well. Thoughts on IAH and whether the base is growing/overstaffed/receeding, etc? Thank you!

 

one vacancy there’s zero Houston Captain spots. The next there’s 40. So who even knows at this point. No point even trying to guess.

 

Fair enough, I guess it varies greatly then

 

There aren't any unfilled IAH CA slots, so you won't be forced into CA there. EWR/DEN/SFO, different story of course.

 

They have explicitly stated in company material that IAH is done with substantial growth. There have some slots since then, but they are not going super junior (like new hire). If you got an IAH spot it would probably be close to the expiration of your seat lock.

 

From my understanding, if you get a CA slot as a new hire, until you upgrade you can bid in vacancies as both a FO and a CA. So you could theoretically be assigned EWR CA in indoc, bid for IAH CA in a vacancy while still a FO, be awarded it, and then when you upgrade it will be as an IAH CA.

Of course, that's dependant on there being IAH openings, but you get the principle.