Engineering Test Pilot Job

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08-27-2025 | 04:23 PM

#21

11atsomto

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Quote:

Originally Posted by jdt30

didn’t know it was a thing. Thanks

Nor did I. Having done it at previous carriers, I’m not sure I understand why we need “test pilots” to do post C Check flights. Yeah sure you probably need to review some of the supplementary the night before…….but well within the skill set of any pilot on our seniority list. Obviously it wouldn’t be in the bid packet…..so maybe there is a CBA issue there.

Maybe I’m unfamiliar but I can’t think of any other “tests” that wouldn’t be in the domain of the manufacturer.
For example B6 has non seniority list pilots, they just fly deliveries and repos and they are almost all over 65.

08-27-2025 | 04:30 PM

#22

jdt30

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 11atsomto

I was a MX (FCF) pilot in the military at a maintenance depot. Interacted with Test pilots quite a bit. Extremely intelligent people. It was a great gig, but I was so tired of doing it.

08-27-2025 | 06:26 PM

#23

BlueScholar

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From: 73FO

Quote:

Originally Posted by 11atsomto

Neat. I understand the need for test pilots to take broken planes, but I question the need for non seniority list pilots to fly repositioning legs. We just had seniority list pilots fly the plane there. Why can’t they reposition them themselves?

08-27-2025 | 07:06 PM

#24

Gone Flying

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Quote:

Originally Posted by md11pilot11

I don’t think any other airline has a position like United does. Anyone at delta and AA could fill us in? I always found it strange. Shouldn’t union pilots be flying these pairings who have specific training?

DL it is done by LCAs who have gone through extra sims/training to get FCF qualified.

08-27-2025 | 07:07 PM

#25

ThumbsUp

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Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueScholar

We do repositioning and ferry flights all the time. The flights requiring some kind of acceptance or verification outside of the items in the FOM/FM are the ones the test pilots do.

08-28-2025 | 06:19 AM

#26

dsevo

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Gone Flying

DL it is done by LCAs who have gone through extra sims/training to get FCF qualified.

They're also only hired off the seniority list at AA. They work hard but are paid well. This seems like a big give to the company at UAL.

08-28-2025 | 06:55 AM

#27

ThumbsUp

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Quote:

Originally Posted by dsevo

They're also only hired off the seniority list at AA. They work hard but are paid well. This seems like a big give to the company at UAL.

You and I have a different idea of big give. We have very few test pilots on the SL. I’d much rather have other contractual improvements than afford a retirement program for a couple of people.

I would say not having your simulator instructors being line pilots is a much bigger give. There are a lot of those.

08-28-2025 | 08:03 AM

#28

11atsomto

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Quote:

Originally Posted by ThumbsUp

We have very few test pilots on the SL.

Boy am I confused.

Test pilots (are/are not) on our seniority list.

Please circle your answer.

08-28-2025 | 08:48 AM

#29

ThumbsUp

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 11atsomto

Boy am I confused.

Test pilots (are/are not) on our seniority list.

Please circle your answer.

People who have gone through the test pilot school in the military that are line pilots who would qualify for such a position. It's a very small group of people in the military and an even smaller group represented at the airline.

To do what the AA guy said would only apply to a few people and would not be worth other contractual gains in my opinion.

08-28-2025 | 08:54 AM

#30

dsevo

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Quote:

Originally Posted by ThumbsUp

Unfortunately we copied UAL and have a bunch of FO sim IP jobs now, which IMO is a way bigger give than the non-list sim IPs we came from. Those FO IP jobs directly cannibalize CKA jobs, which was a dumb give on our part. The goal should be to have as many CAs as possible on the seniority list, including both FCF pilots and CKA.