Nice to see a thread positive in nature��. My 2c worth.... Bid like you own the place, there will be secondary openings all over the place.

Jr. Capt. has historically gone in the mid 60% from both airlines pre-merger. It may not get quite that low on this bid, but it is getting there.

Yes it should, but my guess is that SFO Guppy CAP will end up even junior to ORD (junior guy awarded a bid this round I mean).

The wild card in the whole ORD situation will be what the A320 CAPs due. Do they take a bid over or (in the words of Guns "n Roses) do they show "a little patience" and wait for the bump ?

I was astonished by this bid. Not only in total numbers, but more importantly, the significant numbers of Captain seats that are at the top and middle of the food-chain.

All the previous bids were more lateral in nature, with little vertical; ie, Bus to Guppy, Guppy to Bus, 756 to 76T, etc.

This one has the potential to draw people from all over the system towards the lure of Bigger Iron, or Captaincy.

I think we will see noticeable vertical movement. (Though not necessarily from the bases the Company wants guys to bid out of).

When we were hired they told us that for every 747-400 Captain bid, there were 14 bids created downstream do to musical chairs style food fight which ensued. Of course we had the DC10, the Rope Start 47 and the 727 then, along with engineer seats on all three, and two different guppy schools. Now there's the 787 and all the batship stuff going on with the 67 so I'm not surprised at the number nor the news about slowing down 787 deliveries. The merger has been clunky on many fronts and having the right bodies, trained and in the right places would seem to be a huge hurdle. I think this place is in for some rough sledding WRT training and I think those who want to roll the dice could luck out. Just like the guys whose training wasn't completed on time, there will be pearls awarded. Sitting Reserve on the 777 sounds good to me!

So in the new hire class would it be better to bid the equipment you want if it is available (Commute for a while) and then do a lateral or bid a 737 and wait for a new bid to come out (you hope)

Wasn't there 3-4 year Capts at old United on the 737/200 and 727 around 1999/2000 before it all went backwards? I do remember newhires bidding the 400 and getting it.

Fingers crossed things keep moving in the right direction. The profession stopped for +10 years.

I don't see why you wouldn't bid what you want.

Wait a minute. What is the real question?

Do you bid the equipment you want even if it means commuting for awhile, or do you bid the domicile you want even if it means you don't get the equipment you want?

That answer depends on if you desire the equipment or the domicile more.

Of course I could be completely misunderstanding the question.

That was probably correct. I could have made 737/200 Captain in 1995 at 6 years.

Well, unless the economy goes into a freefall, things look pretty good for the foreseeable future. Mega retirements and all.

Yes. If i remember correctly, the thunder guppy went 2.5 yrs with the super guppy and 727 running about 3 yrs. Those bids were very short lived.

I hope most get something they want or move up the pecking order.