APC225

See EWRflyr's post, post #1. Filled in seniority order.

JMD16

Post 1 doesn't really answer my question. Since from CO view we are new hires, will the a/c & base assignments be a mix, filling in the bases with the most needs and if so where is CO really short.

My question clear as mud?

Thanks

flybynuts

JMD,

I think when the classes start in October, you will see some small mix of bases and equipment like it was, well, new hire classes. If you are trying to get a certain type of AC or base, manpower will help if you want to trade with another.

FurloughedX2

Great info, thanks guys. Is the reserve abuse any better on the 756 fleet as opposed to 737, or is it equally painful??

APC225

I see what you're saying. Normally, once CAL posts their "needs" in the system bid, it's out of their hands in that the pilots' seniority order determines who goes where. Somehow they're going to have to take into account the UAL pilots' preferences for the open positions that EWRflyr has posted, and that in seniority order among those UAL pilots accepting the hiring. It's uncharted waters in how they're going to do this.

JMD16

That is how I thought it would likely work. Like most hoping to get a choice prior to showing up. Living in the NW would make commuting to IAH the least painful. While Guam and EWR are more difficult. Would be nice to know what you are buying into and how long after training you could bid and move?
Appreciate any thoughts.

EWRflyr

Chances are the United guys going to any of the bases will not be line holders....at least through next summer. That is just my best educated guess to be honest. I can't say for sure.

I have another EWR 737 friend who is October 2007 hire who has not been a line holder for quite awhile (18+ months I think). That is even in the height of the summer flying. In the fall the flying tapers off for the most part through May of each year (certain spikes for holidays). He says looking at the 756 in EWR, he would have been one of the bottom 5 line holders each of the last three months if he was on that plane.

No one can ever say for sure where the reserve vs. lineholder spot will be. However, if you are a new hire here your chances of flying the first couple of months are much greater than the other reserves as the company has to consolidate your 100 hours within 90 days. When we were hiring like crazy, scheduling was assigning the low-time pilots trips first. Happened to me. Flew non-stop my first couple months, got my 100 hours, and then happened to go to line holder the next month anyway.

EWRflyr

As was stated, the final bid results usually post 3 business days after it closes so probably Friday evening.

Uh, we are short EVERYWHERE right now, but then again by the time you guys are online from training it will be fall and reduced flying.

Not sure I understand the question about filling the openings equally. There aren't an equal number of slots available in the BESs. Most likely crew planning will sit down and look at projected training events for the CAL pilots moving to other equipment. They'll see that schedule and determine then what slots need to be filled BEFORE those pilots head to training (i.e. get you in place in the BES before someone leaves that BES for another). That will then determine what slots will be offered to each class.

I'm not sure if they will give you any notice about which slot you can have before training begins. In the past they have come to class with the slots available and then gone down seniority order to see who wanted to fill them. Yes, some internal discussions/haggling between class members as to which slot someone would take instead of another to help each other out.

EWRflyr

Until this summer, I used to say reserve abuse on the 756 was worse than the 737. Never wanted to be reserve on the 756 during the summers past. (Get in from a Vegas redeye, get released to domicile and then head to the UK that night.) This year though the 737 abuse has been just as bad if not worse. It is not unheard of this summer for reserves on either plane to be gone 10-14 days. That wonderful 24-hour downline international rest applies to both airplanes.

Ottopilot

When it comes to bidding a plane, remember that the 757 and 737-800/900 pay the same. The schedule on the 737 can be tough, but a half dozen Europe trips on the 757 can be worse. Who wants a 15 hour three-day trip? I do 12 hour two-day trips on the 737. More days off.