Junior Bases
 

Hi,

I know it's probably a moving target but I'm curious if they tends to be a "more" junior bases at United. I have read that new hires are typically getting the guppy outta SFO or 75/76 out of IAD. Has this historically been the case for these two bases?

Thanks

EWR and SFO tend to be the most junior. 737 is usually a bit junior to the A320, just based on size. B756 slightly more senior except at the very bottom end.

I was hired in December. At my seniority, the best seat to be in would be SFO 737(69%). Followed by LAX 737(72%), DCA 737(72%), EWR 737(79%). I'd be close to a line holder on the 'bus too, SFO 320(80%), LAX 320(84%), EWR 320 (86%), and ORD 320 89%.

They are advertising growth in the 737 fleet in SFO, LAX, and EWR. The new 777s will probably create openings in every seat in the company, other than 787s, DEN, GUM, and CLE.

If your objective is to get off reserve ASAP, SFO is the place to go, hands down. But I spent only 2 months in the bullpen at EWR, so no complaints.

Not sure if I ever thanked you for the info, so thank you! Honestly my goal would be to get to IAD as soon as possible since I live in Richmond and really don't want to move. EWR would be second choice I guess since it's the shortest commute.

With the hiring and retirements coming do you think that IAD would be fairly obtainable pretty quick? Thanks!

Dulles will be available quickly. They continue to grow the 737 base and the 756 would be an option as well. Worst case, the commute to Newark would be short term.

Short term meaning only a few months. 1-4. Vacancy bids will be coming out fairly often. Most of the time open vacancies for the guppy at all bases except GUM and DEN. 765 at SFO and EWR. LAX too though smaller scale.

Dave,

Thanks for the stash of magazines last month. I think I was returning from NRT and found a bunch with your name on it. It killed a few hours!

You are welcome. I never miss an opportunity to study professional material!

Great thanks for the information!

Thank you as well!

For the recently hired, I am curious what the spectrum of experience levels and backgrounds are in your training classes?

The most senior in my class was a former director of training at the Air Force Academy(!), a good number of military guys with 10-20,000 hours, supplemental guys with heavy international time, guys flying for the mid-majors, corporate pilots, 10 year regional captains, and more than a few 20 somethings with less than 5000 hours.

The spectrum of experience was astonishingly broad. But the median was probably around 7000 hours TT, early 30s, RJ Captain.

Does anyone know if IAH is a possibility for a new hire? Months or years away? thx much

Glad we talked you into United!:D

IAH is a bit of a wild card. On the 737 it is obtainable within 6mos to a year. Airbus, right now is 1-2 years. 756 never.


The airplane you get is based on age in indoc. Good luck!! And keep in mind everything changes rapidly in this industry so stay tuned.

Friend of mine was in the 24 May new hire class, and just got IAH on the last vacancy bid as a 737 FO.

You can hold 777 in 4 of the 6 bases before you can get to IAH in the 756.:(

I'm a July 2015 hire and still can't hold IAH on the -320.

Congrats on the one year!