I flew 5 years for DHL before coming here. No comparison to even 2 red eyes a week here. I would show at 4PM on the west coast, fly to Cincy arriving at 1AM. Sit 3-4 hours for the sort and then fly to the East Coast. Getting to bed at 8AM. This times 3-4 nights in a row gave me very bad headaches. Say what you will about 117, we have much better protection than the freight guys. Circadian rhythm is no joke and that style of flying does shorten your life.

I used to fly nights in the AF, but that was a 4PM show and home in bed by 2AM, with no 4 hour sit. Still got old after a while.

 

That doesn't sound fun at all - the 3-4 hour sits in the middle of the night. We're you able to nap for a couple hrs?

I flew most of my trips on the 756 fleet to Europe out of EWR. Departed at night, arrived in the AM. We usually landed around 2-4 AM EST (our body-clock) so it wasn't nearly as bad in my experience.

 

Depending on where you fly out of, the European flights aren't too bad for your circadian. 756 EWR flights to Europe departed anywhere from 1900-2200. Usually 6.5-7.5 hrs had you landing at 2-3 AM body-clock. So for me, it was like a late night out on the town. 😎

 

Would you mind explaining why you chose UAL over DAL?

 

I had a class date with CAL when UAL offered an interview. Turned it down. I was of the mind that whichever major hired me first is where I would go, and my job search would end.

 

Curious how you manage your rest once you are in the EU.

When I flew EU I typically took a 2-4 hour nap after arriving at the hotel dependent upon what I wanted to see or do on the layover.

However you manage your rest it doesn't change the fact that doing an EU 3 day typically involves 60-72 hours TAFB and you're only getting one stretch of 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep. Now matter how you slice the pie you lose one night of sleep every time you go to the EU. Some can handle it some can't.

UA

 

Ditto on the rest in the EU. Except I hit the hotel and crash for as long as I need 8 + hours if a I can. I then try and catch a nap at some point before pick up time. I strive to stay on body clock as much as possible. I'd also be interested to hear what works for other folks.

 

It's like all about individual situations and not necessarily something wrong with a company. Fedex called me recently, but I've already started with someone else. There are other factors than pay. If Fedex called me 5 months ago, I'd probably be there right now (if I passed the interview).

So if someone just got an invite to Fedex, perhaps it was because I thanked them for the call but I'm good where I am and please offer the chance to the next person.

I think the tides are changing in that people are getting more than one shot at a major. And that is good. Choice is good.

 

The biggest factor for me, flying international boiled down to one thing: could I sleep during my rest break on the airplane. When I was a junior f/o on the 777, I was on first break and just couldn't sleep. As a senior 767 f/o, I always managed to get at least an hour nap on my break (second or last) and it was a vast improvement.

 

Don' think there is a bad job out there. Given multiple offers, think it probably comes down to location and your individual situation. If you are a West Coaster or Vegas type, UAL and SWA are great with new hires in LA and SFO, and OAK and Vegas. SWA has new hires almost everywhere too. If you are in Florida, Philly, or North Texas AA. If you are in the Midwest Delta. NY/NJ pick your poison. Memphis or Northern Miss, or want to commute, Fedex.

But all have other issues, good and bad, too. SWA and Fedex have never furloughed, but is SWA the same after Herb left and what about when Fred retires from Fedex? But they pay great. SWA has no B fund and their match is not yet in the ballpark of others. Fedex has a smaller B fund but still a DB plan. You are gonna fly the most to make money at SWA. Probably fly the least at Fedex.

Delta has great profit sharing, but Detroit? Look at the 717 and 190 pay scales if thinking Atlanta or Seattle...

AA has all the fun ahead of a post SLI with lots of characters, and OTS is rare there. But the most retirements and worse contract.

UAL is hiring a lot but has some management issues.

Lots of mixed reviews on UPS. Read their threads.

AlaskaVirgin/JB/Frontier/Spirit...YMMV.

Not a bad idea to go to first place that puts you in class and gives you an ID. If you change your mind go for it.

Unique time.

Like my job.