LeeMat

Attention All Pilots:
As anticipated, United is opening a new pilot base in Houston-IAH for the B767’s and A320 fleets.
We are soliciting volunteers for both Captain and First Officer positions through the normal vacancy bid process. For new Houston positions there is the additional ability to conditional bid as specified in the contract (CBA 8-C-3- c) and the recent Transition and Process Extension Agreement. Total planned positions are for 50 each IAH 320 CA & FO, 40 IAH 767 CA and 60 IAH 767 FO.
The first of two vacancies will be posted for bid from 1200 CDT on May 7th will close at 1200 CDT on May 17th. The effective date of these awards will be September bid month (August 29th). Positions awarded will be:
IAH 320 CA 30 IAH 767 CA 25 IAH 320 FO 30 IAH 767 FO 40
In conjunction with these Houston positions, we are posting additional vacancies for: JFK 767 FO 6 Pilots wishing to bid into these positions must update their Bid Request in Unimatic (BIDREQ).
For Houston positions only, if you desire to bid conditionally you need to submit your desires on DIS*09240. There, pilots can preference their bids relative to a seniority award in the top 1/3 or 2/3 of the population. A seniority preference can be stated for each of the four positions being offered. Preferences are denoted by the entry of ‘X’ in the appropriate field. All pilots include their current home domicile in the address field at the very top of DIS*09240. Please remember to print a copy of your BIDREQ and conditional bid with a date and time stamp.
DIS*09240 HDQCMX 01MAY1733.78954 -SF WHQCM ___FO
. THE ABOVE ADDRESS MUST BE POPULATED WITH YOUR BASE
ATTN: RYMARZ - IAH 767-320 CONDITIONAL BID (USE TAB TO NAVIGATE PAGE) I HAVE UPDATED MY BIDREQ SCREEN WITH A BID TO IAH 767/320 BUT DESIRE TO BE AWARDED ONLY IF, I AM IN THE:
767 CAP 320 CAP 767 F/O 320 F/O
_ UPPER THIRD OF AWARDEES _ UPPER THIRD OF AWARDEES _ UPPER THIRD OF AWARDEES _ UPPER THIRD OF AWARDEES
_UPPER TWO-THIRDS OF AWARDEES _UPPER TWO-THIRDS OF AWARDEES _UPPER TWO-THIRDS OF AWARDEES _UPPER TWO-THIRDS OF AWARDEES
(PLACE AN X IN FRONT OF THE DESIRED OPTION)
NAME ___________________ FILE # _______ .EM.
Conditional bidding will only be applicable on any vacancy bids awarded to IAH prior to the effective date (August 29th).
Please be advised that subsequent assignments may be made to backfill for the primary vacancies awarded.
This address field must be filled with your current home base.

Once United

Is there an advantage for any UAL pilot taking one of these bids? I think we would be doing the companies work. Why should we help open a new domicile/base without a JCBA. Because it's in the TPA??? Provisions in the UAL contract cover this situation with TDY. Is it possible this is one of those carrots the company likes to send out to keep us happy - YOU DECIDE!

TDY may generate more hours and jobs for the guys on the street - QUICKER RECALLS AND A JCBA.

iahflyr

Like it or not, people will bid these positions. For some, its the chance to end their time consuming commutes and live in base. For others, it is an upgrade opportunity meaning more money and better experience.

Once United

You may be surprised with this one! Anybody bidding the first round thinking they'll be in the top 1/3 may find themselves on reserve with the second go around. The second bid will cancel the conditional bid rights of the first bid.

Would a contract guys jump in and explain it in simple terms.

LeeFXDWG

I think you just did....

I have personally known a handful of Houston commuters during my time at UAL. I would expect them to take the opportunity if it works for them while wishing that no one does to make it a TDY nightmare for the company.

Fact is, no one knows who will take the opportunity if it makes the commute more convenient, etc.

Bottom line, until the vacancy is filled, a pilot doesn't know where they'll be in the final picture.

Frats,
Lee

UAL T38 Phlyer

Gents:

I would be interested in bidding IAH. I spent my UAL years on a double or triple-leg commute, at least one off-line, that took at best 12 hours, and as much as 36!!

IAH would be a single-leg, UAX 1.3 hour commute. I could actually live with that.

However, I do not want to be branded as a leper for bidding during this tenuous period.

So, what are the rules? Can I bid without seeming to be a scab, union-buster, Marvin Mainliner, or CAL-back-stabber? The bid will apparently happen soon.

I won't be back from mil for at least a year, so my bid would really only be on paper.

Your thoughts, please.

UalHvy

Bid what you want. I certainly would not hold it against you. Life for commuters (I'm not one) has been tough enough over the past 10 years. Make your life easier. I hope that it works out for you.

LeeMat

23 years of commuting is enough for me, I put a conditional bid in. We were looking at moving to a domicile anyways....IAD shrinking, JFK out of the question for these two former New Yorkers, ORD been there done that and froze my a$$, so Houston it is...

ewrbasedpilot

Anymore, having a LIFE is worth a lot. If you don't bid for the slot, someone else WILL. Why beat yourself up over something that will help you in the long run?Backstabber, scab, union buster? Nah, not even close. More like SMART! Something to be said for making your life easier. Good luck my friend!

UAL T38 Phlyer

Guys, I appreciate the honest replies...including both sides of the group!

It may be academic as I might not be senior enough, or I'm not even sure if guys on mil-leave can bid (although I think we are supposed to be able to).