You are seat locked for 2 years in aircraft unless you bid up to a bigger a/c. So B737 and A320 are narrow body a/c. You can't bid one to the other for 2 years but you can bid up to the B756 (B757,B767. It's considered one fleet). If you get EWR B756 you can bid SFO B756 if your senority allows it on the next vacancy bid or do a base swap with someone willing to go to EWR. Welcome aboard! It's one hellava ride!

 

There are several different kinds of "freezes", but the one you are talking about applies to two years before you can bid into a lateral equipment or down. The equipment is sorted into three categories and 2 seats ( for a grand total of six bands). Narrowbody, 756/76T and wide-body. You can always build up, which is why the 737 and a320 guys are essentially not considered "seat-locked," they can bid up into the 756 from day one . So as a 756 first officer, if you can hold it, the 7-4, triple seven, or 787 are all yours for the taking

737 and airbus guys cannot bid into each other's fleet for two years either (except for a few provisions, like the opening of a new domicile i.e. DCA 737 this year). The reason the smaller airplanes go senior, his new hires try to get to the domicile they want, then bid the 756 when they are able to hold it in their geographic location.

As for age, it varies widely class to class. I am in my early 30s and expected to be close to the bottom, but there were five guys in my class younger and I managed to get an Airbus slot. A class a few weeks before us had an eight ball in his mid-30s and more than half the class above 45.

Good luck, although being away from home and learning a new airplane is never "fun," it is pretty damn bearable here at United

 

If getting IAH is my goal, bid the 320 and if that's not available, bid the 756?

Just double checking.

 

Ahhhh... Well there are bumps being forecast out of IAH on the 737, and quite a lot of them, so I would avoid that seat if at all possible.

 

Sorry just replied to you in another comment. Yes your logic is sound for getting IAH. A320 then 756. Unfortunately IAH could be a bit of a blood bath with the bumps coming off the 737, but hopefully the A320 growth there will help. Welcome to UAL!

 

I'll be there for July 7th class as well. I'm 40, but I'm a LUAL returnee. Looking forward to meeting you guys!

 

So that means first pick for you correct? What's your poison? It'll be nice having some experience in the class. Keep all us blind guys from walking into each other.

 

It does unless someone senior to me comes in. I'm also looking to get to IAH. I live in SAT.

Haha. I will do my best, but I will probably be just as blind.

 

Let me rephrase a bit... is there "time" to do anything during indoc. If the days are long and there is studying to do at night, then no real need for a vehicle. If there isn't any work to do outside of class and the days are 8 hrs, I'd consider having a vehicle.

Might do a little house hunting (or at least "area" hunting). Just trying to get a better feel for the place. Haven't lived in CO in over 25 years, and it wasn't for that long. A few things have changed.

 

Lets see....open ipad test that will be corrected to 100....yes, study every waking hour and avoid going to the bar to get to know your classmates.