Considering UPS to UAL
 

FO at brown considering a move to United. I would be looking at getting to the IAD base ASAP since I live within 2 hours or so. I've done a few searches on here and Reddit and have not found a ton of info on that particular base. I understand today isnt tomorrow so nothings guaranteed, but here goes;

-Likelyhood of IAD out of training?
-How soon after based on current movement, and what airframes give the best shot?
-Does previous widebody time influence new hire assignments?
-Realistic first year W2 pay if I fly my schedule and nothing extra?
-How easy is it to adjust schedules via trip trade/drops etc

Thanks.

1) Not overly likely. It has been offered, but it is not a commonly available base in BI
2) I have several friends here who got hired and were able to hold IAD within 6 months over the last 2 years. 737 is probably your best bet, 320 does show up though.
3) No, seniority only by DOB. Widebodies haven't been offered in BI in a few years.
4) I took several MLOA, and earned $120k on year 1. I live near base and had a few premium pickups and a few untriggered reassignments. I also picked up short call. I think it's reasonable to assume 1000hrs of base pay.
5) I have had excellent luck modifying my schedule on our trade system. It's pretty active, and you can almost always improve your bid award in the trade system. Not a guarantee, but my experience has been good. I have never flown a complete month as awarded.

1) low
2) 737 or 320, less than a year
3) no
4) hourly pay * 1000
5) very easy to ADJUST your schedule, much harder to IMPROVE it. The system is big enough that small seniority differences matter. Someone 90th percentile in base isn't getting an 80th percentile trip. But it's also small and fragemented enough that there may be zero open trips on the Saturday you want to work. It's (best I can tell) much different from the single-type carriers in that regard.

I will only add that our scheduling system is such that if you know how to work it, it is extremely easy to trade drop/across the seniority spectrum. Bidding on schedules that make it easier is one part also. Unfortunately, you also either need to have an innate understanding of the system or know someone who knows the ins and outs. Many people, senior and junior, don’t really have a sense of how to do it effectively.

Lower than avg. but not impossible (IIRC, there’s currently unfilled Airbus dc slots that could go to new hires if UAL chooses to fill them. If not in indoc, Within 6-9 months is probably realistic.

737 or 320. 737 for most of 2026 is the guess. Growth in DC is allegedly going to be in the 320 and 787 fleet after the new international terminal is complete there in Q3 2026. if that terminal completion timeline gets pushed back then so does the growth plan.

No.

-$110k-$125k.

Easier if you’re willing to pickup open time or if you have something that someone wants to trade for.

Year one pay is your probationary year. Don’t miss more than one trip or so , or have any major hiccups in training, aircraft qualification.Pay, schedule and everything will suck until year 2 or so on . Third world problems saying $125k a year sucks ,many people don’t even make that much, but for us it does suck . Get off probation, get a line , get on year 2 pay and life willl be good.

How much are say 4 or so years of lifespan worth to you?

That backside of the clock hopping times zones like cracks in the pavement, WILL take years from you.

Where does this number come from? I see it repeated on here often but never with a source.

4 years is a little kind honestly. 25 years of FEDEX and my 58 year old father looks 65. Him and I are both glad I'm starting at American in January and not participating in the Purple and Brown circus.

first hand experience