Drop Advice
08-14-2022, 05:50 PM
#33
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2015
Posts: 165
Bid 320’s for sure first no one wants to go back through training in less than a year haha. But like others said, DFW first then LAX with it being stagnant for the next few years, then CLT or MIA. Either way good luck and welcome to the fAAmily. We are dysfunctional so be ready for that.
08-14-2022, 09:28 PM
#34
-
Joined APC: Aug 2019
Posts: 23
My class drop had only east coast bases to choose from, and I chose PHL. It wasn't nearly as bad of a commute compared to several of my classmates that were stuck with MIA. Their commuting experiences were miserable. YMMV.
08-15-2022, 06:04 AM
#35
It's 5 o'clock somewhere
Joined APC: Oct 2020
Posts: 2,154
Didn't want to necessarily make a new thread so this one seems like it might be appropriate. Have a class date soon. Don't have the drop yet but want to be prepared for it and basically rank all possible options in the order I should bid and get some advice from the more experienced folks here who may be able to point out factors that I am not thinking of.
My goal is to end up on the 320 in PHX since that would avoid a commute. If I'm very lucky I'll be able to get it in my drop like some folks have earlier in the year but the more likely option is that that won't be possible so I want to at least figure out what to bid for next.
Obviously I'll primarily want to make sure that I at least get a 320 somewhere, so I don't get seat locked to the 737, but the question is, what order is preferred (if I do end up having to commute to this place for a few months potentially)?
Just looking at travel time and amount of flights available per day I got the following (from looking at the AA website for a random Wednesday/Sunday in September):
LAX: 4 non stops out, 1:25 travel time. 6 non stops back, approx 1:25 travel time
DFW: 7 non stops out, 2:25 travel time. 10 non stops back, approx 2:30 travel time.
CLT: 8 non stops out, 4:05 travel time. 8 non stops back, 4:25ish travel time.
DCA: 3 non stops out, 4:16 travel time. 3 non stops back, approx 5 hour travel time
MIA: 8 non stops out, 4:31 travel time. 7 non stops back (on a Sunday), just over 5 hour travel time.
PHL: 8 non stops out, 4:31 travel time. 7 non stops back, just over 5 hour travel time.
LGA: No nonstop! Directs to EWR and JFK (7 total), 4:45 ish travel time. 6 nonstop back (from other fields), approx 5:25 travel
Besides ranking by travel time, what other factors should I be thinking of?
- Should I prefer to get an /I 320 over a /D 320? (for example: can you do a mutual base exchange between an /I and a /D or only like for like?)
- How much do I care about bases that service multiple airports in the area vs ones that only serve a single one?
- Looking at MIA and PHL for example that are the same travel time, any reason to prefer one over the other? (worse weather during winter in PHL causing commuting problems or anything like that?)
- A place like DFW might be fairly desirable and more useful to entice someone to a mutual base exchange, but it also doesn't get handed out often so maybe it would be tough for a base exchange if you are lowest seniority for a long time?
TLDR: Wanting to end up in PHX, what should be my desirable bidding order (hypothetically assuming everything else available) that will allow me to get to PHX ASAP / if I can't get there quickly, what will give me the best commuting experience?
Lastly: also wondering if there is any idea when the next vacancy bid is happening?
Thank you!
My goal is to end up on the 320 in PHX since that would avoid a commute. If I'm very lucky I'll be able to get it in my drop like some folks have earlier in the year but the more likely option is that that won't be possible so I want to at least figure out what to bid for next.
Obviously I'll primarily want to make sure that I at least get a 320 somewhere, so I don't get seat locked to the 737, but the question is, what order is preferred (if I do end up having to commute to this place for a few months potentially)?
Just looking at travel time and amount of flights available per day I got the following (from looking at the AA website for a random Wednesday/Sunday in September):
LAX: 4 non stops out, 1:25 travel time. 6 non stops back, approx 1:25 travel time
DFW: 7 non stops out, 2:25 travel time. 10 non stops back, approx 2:30 travel time.
CLT: 8 non stops out, 4:05 travel time. 8 non stops back, 4:25ish travel time.
DCA: 3 non stops out, 4:16 travel time. 3 non stops back, approx 5 hour travel time
MIA: 8 non stops out, 4:31 travel time. 7 non stops back (on a Sunday), just over 5 hour travel time.
PHL: 8 non stops out, 4:31 travel time. 7 non stops back, just over 5 hour travel time.
LGA: No nonstop! Directs to EWR and JFK (7 total), 4:45 ish travel time. 6 nonstop back (from other fields), approx 5:25 travel
Besides ranking by travel time, what other factors should I be thinking of?
- Should I prefer to get an /I 320 over a /D 320? (for example: can you do a mutual base exchange between an /I and a /D or only like for like?)
- How much do I care about bases that service multiple airports in the area vs ones that only serve a single one?
- Looking at MIA and PHL for example that are the same travel time, any reason to prefer one over the other? (worse weather during winter in PHL causing commuting problems or anything like that?)
- A place like DFW might be fairly desirable and more useful to entice someone to a mutual base exchange, but it also doesn't get handed out often so maybe it would be tough for a base exchange if you are lowest seniority for a long time?
TLDR: Wanting to end up in PHX, what should be my desirable bidding order (hypothetically assuming everything else available) that will allow me to get to PHX ASAP / if I can't get there quickly, what will give me the best commuting experience?
Lastly: also wondering if there is any idea when the next vacancy bid is happening?
Thank you!
If you don't get PHX 320, bid 320 somewhere else. Hub to hub commutes all suck. Multiple time zone commutes suck. Commuting to reserve at a base that has multiple airports sucks.
DFW is your answer. If you aren't offered that roll the dice with the above restrictions.
No matter where you go, plan on getting a crash pad.
08-16-2022, 10:44 AM
#37
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2020
Posts: 241
Thanks everyone for the advice, much appreciated! I may be back for a follow up once I know the actual drop, or I'll just roll with it and see what happens 
Well, coming from the Air Force that seems like a normal way of operating to me
Yeah, messed that one up in my notes I guess, thanks for pointing it out!
You're right of course, but I like to do some contingency planning ahead of time. Thanks for the inputs, I appreciate it!
My worst luck would be if I cannot get a 320 at all. I'm mid to late thirties so hopefully that's good enough to get one somewhere if the class isn't super Boeing heavy.
If I do end up with a 737, there's no way to get out of it, correct? Can't defer to next class or anything like that?
Thanks again all!
Well, coming from the Air Force that seems like a normal way of operating to me
You're right of course, but I like to do some contingency planning ahead of time. Thanks for the inputs, I appreciate it!
If I do end up with a 737, there's no way to get out of it, correct? Can't defer to next class or anything like that?
Thanks again all!
08-16-2022, 05:25 PM
#38
Speed Verified
Joined APC: Sep 2017
Posts: 1,124
Thanks everyone for the advice, much appreciated! I may be back for a follow up once I know the actual drop, or I'll just roll with it and see what happens
Well, coming from the Air Force that seems like a normal way of operating to me
Yeah, messed that one up in my notes I guess, thanks for pointing it out!
You're right of course, but I like to do some contingency planning ahead of time. Thanks for the inputs, I appreciate it!
My worst luck would be if I cannot get a 320 at all. I'm mid to late thirties so hopefully that's good enough to get one somewhere if the class isn't super Boeing heavy.
If I do end up with a 737, there's no way to get out of it, correct? Can't defer to next class or anything like that?
Thanks again all!
Well, coming from the Air Force that seems like a normal way of operating to me
Yeah, messed that one up in my notes I guess, thanks for pointing it out!
You're right of course, but I like to do some contingency planning ahead of time. Thanks for the inputs, I appreciate it!
My worst luck would be if I cannot get a 320 at all. I'm mid to late thirties so hopefully that's good enough to get one somewhere if the class isn't super Boeing heavy.
If I do end up with a 737, there's no way to get out of it, correct? Can't defer to next class or anything like that?
Thanks again all!
08-17-2022, 07:33 AM
#39
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2016
Position: jungle jet
Posts: 102
My worst luck would be if I cannot get a 320 at all. I'm mid to late thirties so hopefully that's good enough to get one somewhere if the class isn't super Boeing heavy.
If I do end up with a 737, there's no way to get out of it, correct? Can't defer to next class or anything like that?
Thanks again all!
Without a doubt, the most insanely idiotic reason for bypassing a class date, I have ever heard. For the love of all that is holy, do NOT sacrifice 40+ numbers for that.
Friend of mine was flying with a PHX captain a few months ago. This individual was hired at TWA in his 20’s. Had the option to move heaven and earth to get to a class in 5 days, or wait for the next one. Long story short, he was the most junior guy in that class, and wound up as an FE. After the merger, he was over a THOUSAND numbers above the number one guy in the class after him.
You’re in your 30’s now; the number you have will be with you for the next 25-30 years. It is set in stone, and will determine your days off, your vacations, your upgrade, everything. Ask any of your squadron buddies that have made the leap and played the game for over a year, what they would give up to move up 50-100 numbers.
I’m not trying to sound like an ass, but want to drive it home just how colossally stupid it would be to bypass a class because you don’t like the drop. Especially when we have so much movement right now.
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