737 vs 320 for new hire and future progress

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08-24-2025 | 06:55 AM

gearupdude

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737 vs 320 for new hire and future progress

Just researching but is the 737 or 320 fleet recommended for someone wanting to start at EWR and later move to CA in Denver at a later time (2-3 years later)? I know the 737 fleet is larger so makes me think that would be the route... pros and cons of each fleet?

08-24-2025 | 07:14 AM

khergan

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Quote:

Originally Posted by gearupdude

There are a lot more 737s so it will always have better seniority / movement in general unless you're trying to go to GUM / MCO / CLE.

The 320 will also start gaining Europe and Hawaii flying with the XLR so it's a reasonable assumption that it will get even more senior as people come off the 756 and jump on to the airbus if they want the longer haul flying.

08-24-2025 | 07:32 AM

VacancyBid

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Lot of discussion of this in past threads. neither is a BAD choice.

But it doesn't matter for the scenario you propose. You can upgrade from one fleet to another regardless of timeline. Even if you want to FO before captain the 2 year seatlock allows a lateral move prior to upgrade on your suggested timeline.

08-24-2025 | 07:44 AM

KnightNight

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Quote:

Originally Posted by gearupdude

737 is almost always the answer, we have the most of it and the most in order. Typically people on NB go to Airbus when seniority allows it seems. I’d do 737- to WB to NB captain personally, add in maybe 756 if you’re in EWR for some good flying

08-24-2025 | 08:32 AM

Excargodog

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Quote:

Originally Posted by gearupdude

Just researching but is the 737 or 320 fleet recommended for someone wanting to start at EWR and later move to CA in Denver at a later time (2-3 years later)? I know the 737 fleet is larger so makes me think that would be the route... pros and cons of each fleet?

A 2-3 year upgrade in DEN may be a little unrealistic. In EWR maybe.

08-24-2025 | 09:27 AM

ThumbsUp

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Excargodog

A 2-3 year upgrade in DEN may be a little unrealistic. In EWR maybe.

People said that a few years ago too and then suddenly guys with a year on property were getting it there and there a few 1 year 756 CAs elsewhere. You never know…

08-24-2025 | 10:03 AM

prex8390

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Guppy for sure. The 321s will continue to come online but there isn't much to address the 319/320s that will inevitably start to get parked soon.

Seemingly the several hundred MAXs we have on order are just that.

08-24-2025 | 01:48 PM

FriendlyPilot

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Quote:

Originally Posted by prex8390

There are over 250 Airbus on order, not counting options. That's more than enough to replace all the older A320s and A319s as well as the entire 757 fleet and have planes left over.

The 737 MAX 10s are being converted to MAX 9s for now. We just converted 48 MAX 10s to 9s just a few weeks ago which is why the new hire classes went from estimating 200 a month in November to 200 a month starting in September. The first 2 classes of September are already being filled. 60 in each class.

08-24-2025 | 05:02 PM

Excargodog

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Quote:

Originally Posted by ThumbsUp

People said that a few years ago too and then suddenly guys with a year on property were getting it there and there a few 1 year 756 CAs elsewhere. You never know…

Indeed, you never do know. But some of the improvements to the reserve rules that were agreed upon in UPA23 and now have been implemented have made it a lot easier for commuter FOs deal with the loss of seat seniority if they upgrade. Perhaps if we get a flood of new aircraft hitting near simultaneously upgrade opportunities will go back to where they were a few years ago, but I think it would take something like that.

I’d be perfectly happy to be wrong though😉

08-25-2025 | 07:36 AM

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JTwift

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We will see what the “huge” NBCA vacancy looks like in November, but they’ve (crew resources) already said it’s going to be the coasts (EWR and SFO). I’m guessing the vast majority will be 737