Training Schedule--Weekends off?
 

Hi All-
I'm a UAL poolie expecting training to start in September. I know training is more important, but I'm supposed to stand up in a wedding the first weekend of October in Chicago. Any chance I'll be able to get there, at least for the wedding on Saturday? If there's no way to do it, I probably need to set realistic expectations now. If weekends are down time, I'm willing to spend the money to get to ORD.
Thanks!

It depends when you start. You generally have the first 2 weekends off. After that it's anybody's guess. You might be able to work with the training schedulers once class starts but that might not be easy. You'll have classroom sessions that are class wide and immovable. Maybe it's changed since the I went a year ago.

Thanks. If I'm lucky, maybe my training will be near the end of Sept, and I'll have that weekend off. Fingers crossed...

Indoc is Tuesday - Saturday, 2 days off, Tuesday - Friday.

50/50 if you'll start the following Monday with airplane specific training.

Thanks, Taylor. That's helpful to know. Odds seem pretty slim based on that.

DM,

Once you start BI and get your fleet type go ahead and start the process there of telling them that you need the weekend off. Training is a priority but there are some things that everyone had to plan and commit for while swimming. There should be no pushback and they may tell you to talk with the fleet manager. They can do one of three, say no (shouldn't be since this is a must not want to situation). Tell you yes and scheduling whole build you that weekend off (most likely) or delay your training (good since you are already on property and building seniority).

You can even be proactive by starting online courseware early and etc...
Hope this helps.

Wow. That's very encouraging. Perhaps I'm just too accustomed to the AF method of "Here's your training date, now cancel your life. We don't care. Also, you'll probably have training canceled the day prior when it's too late to do this really important thing and spend the day in your room ****ed off and depressed." That's paraphrasing, but pretty accurate. :D

Deuce... The other thing to know is that UAL will give you positive space to/from training so you can spend days off at home if you choose. Not sure if that option is available to Chicago (assuming you don't live there)... In any case, you'll be able to Jumpseat or use pass privileges to get there in back assuming you get the days off. I wouldn't go out and buy tickets...

So the military guys will have something in common with the regional guys after all!

Man, I am SOOO not used to things like this. Thanks for the heads-up.

Pffft. We're all the same, just different flavors of pain. :)

Your positive space travel on days off is to your "home of record." If that isn't ORD, you're on your own to get there. That's not to say they won't try to help you, but when I was going through a year ago, they were pretty rigid about that, only because they don't want every Tom, Dick and Harry coming in asking for special travel plans every weekend.

They are very reasonable, though, as long as you return the favor, especially during Indoc.

"Return the favor....?" What in the world are you talking about? Been here how long and already cutting dope deals. That is jacked up. All set to starting waiving the contract?