Birdsmash

Ask somebody from K4.

peterfenwick

Thanks for the info Birdsmash. Much appreciated.

Team Boeing

How junior do the fixed lines go for B747 ANC, B777 LAX and B777 CVG?

If there are any B747 and B777 FO here would love to ask a few questions via PM. Thanks!

Roverruckus

The fixed lines are bid yearly, but it seems if you want one you can get it, too many downsides for me though. Useful for certain types of people's situations for sure though.

Team Boeing

That’s good news - how junior does ANC 747 FO Reserve Lines with 17 on 13 off go?

Swakid8

That could change, the folks have have bid them are most likely to bid them again at least from who I have talked to, me being one of them.

C17B74

Definitely not a bad idea when new and especially when living in Base. Planning is easier, holidays easier, etc. but if you commute it’s more problematic obviously. With what little gains we have with seniority it’s definitely more beneficial jumping back and forth between 30 day lines and 60 day lines depending on your priorities. At the higher levels of seniority the ability to snag less than 17 day lines becomes more accessible as well as conflict bidding your training if you so desire. Newer folks or those who have been chugging along with whatever 17 day lines are handed down and dropped all over the place do enjoy the fixed lines so it totally makes sense and I probably would have done the same early on no doubt. To mitigate some of the constant churn (life can be easier when working in a more rhythmic state) and have nearly two weeks off in between, try the fixed line - many folks enjoy it. Bail when your seniority can create your own imitation of the fixed lines and also capitalize on less working day lines/commuting lines, locations you want to visit on a continuous basis or even bail from locations you just have had enough of for awhile depending on your base.

*Not a suggestion and everyone’s priorities are different, but if you bypass just one or two upgrades your control increases significantly. It also may help you from being the plug if you did immediately upgrade. Granted, bottom area of the Captains list depending on your base may not make a difference so a fixed line would definitely have its advantages​​​​​​. Roverruckus has it right as fixed lines works very well for some and not so much for others - too many downsides for my seniority as well. There is financial pursuit and lifestyle and sometimes you can do both pretty well here. As always, bases matter and especially if you live at base/surrounding area. While I will never be the puppet master, I have been able to cut quite a few of the strings to gain some freedom.

Swakid8

As a commuter on a fixed line, it is highly beneficial only have to commute once a a month to and from work. Granted you are always on the hook for 17 days. But luckily I was only out for 15 days this past pattern.

At the I bidded for my fixed line, I didn’t have seniority to bid 30 day lines and myself making the east coast to ANC commute multiple times a month on a 60 day line. Which was more pain..

C17B74

Totally agree, being able to commute once is gold and you accomplished a high objective. Unsure if this will go forward beyond May and I can’t look at June as I am on a 60 day line by choice. It was tempting to bid for a 30 (31 day really) day line as they were mostly less than 17 day trips. So when looking at the ORD bid package for May specifically, there were SIXTEEN 30 day lines. TWO were 15 day trip lines, TEN were 16 day trip lines and the remaining FOUR were 17 day trip lines. Didn’t review any other bases. We’ll see if this trend continues and if after a few months barring peak of course, hopefully this is the beginning of lines predominantly less than 17 days. We’ll just wait and see.

akfrtdwg 57

Now way to tell. Month to month could vary. When I was a senior FO I bid reserve occasionally if I needed particular days. There’s also been bid months where there aren’t any reserve lines to bid on.