Airline Pilot Central Forums - New hire seeking ORD Jr FO B737 v A320 advice

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunvox (Post 2062460)

but is there some reason to discount the MD80 on American?

Another problem is that you have to book the jumpseat online and cannot call or walk up to the gate anymore. Not a huge deal but definitely wastes your time if you do it weekly.

OP still tracking....and appreciative of all these great inputs. I think I'm inclined to try for EWR 320 out of the chute....it should be a month or two quicker to hold a line which is evidently key as a commuter....and both EWR and LGA each have at least two WN 737s each day. I may shift back to ORD above the G line and especially if legacy carriers upgauge STL-ORD to free up commute space. Shoot with all the junior folks getting 756 and even 777 FO on 16-04v, it may not be long after year 2 pay bump that I could bid up to an international line and knock off one of those commutes each month?! I'm happy for the long timers who've ridden out a tough last 15 years....

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

Since I am a new hire, and don't start class for two weeks, please excuse my ignorance. Does anyone have a basic estimate of how long I might EXPECT to get into IAH on the 737 or A320?

Quote:

Originally Posted by FormerMarine (Post 2064403)

Since I am a new hire, and don't start class for two weeks, please excuse my ignorance. Does anyone have a basic estimate of how long I might EXPECT to get into IAH on the 737 or A320?

Hard to say with IAH. The company has announced that they're keeping the flying in IAH flat next year due to the decreased business travel from the oil industry. I'd still guess within a yr just due to normal openings through progression with the a 23 net gain in mainline aircraft next year.

Quote:

Originally Posted by UALinIAH (Post 2064455)

Thanks for the reply. I am struggling to decide if A320 or 737 will get me back into IAH sooner. Who knows, I may not even get the chance to decide!

Quote:

Originally Posted by FormerMarine (Post 2064480)

Thanks for the reply. I am struggling to decide if A320 or 737 will get me back into IAH sooner. Who knows, I may not even get the chance to decide!

The 737. I'm a 04/15 hire and still haven't been able to get into IAH on the 320. I will be bidding the 737 when my equipment lock is up if the trend continues the way it has been.

Quote:

Originally Posted by UAL97 (Post 2064932)

The 737. I'm a 04/15 hire and still haven't been able to get into IAH on the 320. I will be bidding the 737 when my equipment lock is up if the trend continues the way it has been.

Thanks for the info. It seems like maybe the 737 is junior everywhere!

Quote:

Originally Posted by UAL97 (Post 2064932)

The 737. I'm a 04/15 hire and still haven't been able to get into IAH on the 320. I will be bidding the 737 when my equipment lock is up if the trend continues the way it has been.

Mid 13 hire and things in IAH have changed quickly, as in other bases. When your two year seat lock ends you will have choices. Just getting to line holder this month, but they back filled 320 a year and half ago and folks right out of training got lines. Very hard to tell right now what will open up in IAH. Nobody thought when we got hired DEN would open up this fast. Enjoy the ride for now. Welcome, ignore the inter webs naysayers, I like it here. A lot.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragon7 (Post 2065356)

"Ignore the inter webs naysayers"....

My suggestion is to enjoy and make the best of what you have in front of you. Save your money. You will work with a great group of people who want to move forward.

Many of those people have witnessed the brutality of this industry. It doesn't hurt to listen, learn, and store their experiences in your memory bank. I get it. You get crew meals, fly bigger jets, and are looking at a promising career with a large salary. You aren't the only ones who have felt this. We all have. History is a motivator of decisions moving forward.

I find it utterly disrespectful when a new pilot proclaims this is the best place but dismisses past experiences. I say this because I had a three month new hire who said "I love this place, don't you?" When I was hired, I was very enthusiastic yet asked a lot of questions and listened more than I spoke.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpecialTracking (Post 2065373)

"Ignore the inter webs naysayers"....

My suggestion is to enjoy and make the best of what you have in front of you. Save your money. You will work with a great group of people who want to move forward.

Many of those people have witnessed the brutality of this industry. It doesn't hurt to listen, learn, and store their experiences in your memory bank. I get it. You get crew meals, fly bigger jets, and are looking at a promising career with a large salary. You aren't the only ones who have felt this. We all have. History is a motivator of decisions moving forward.

I find it utterly disrespectful when a new pilot proclaims this is the best place but refuses to learn from the past experiences. I say this because I had a three month new hire who said "I love this place, don't you?" When I was hired, I was very enthusiastic yet asked a lot of questions and listened more than I spoke.

Well said. However there is a flip side. Most of the guys here have been here for 20 years or more and been thru a lot of ups and downs. In that 20 years it seems some have forgotten how truly awful it is at other airlines, mostly regionals and crappy cargo outfits. As a new hire I like to learn and always respect the opinions of those I fly with. I also ask them to realize that coming here made a huge difference in my quality of life and income. Most Captains I fly with are very happy for the newhires and are actually energized by the new blood and attitude. That said, I will continue to work to make things better by following the contract and supporting my union.