badtransam97

Im curious about this as well. Anyone have insight on this?

FangsF15

I don’t do it, but am led to understand it’s not that hard if you are willing/able to be next day flexible. There are legal ways to usually do it. Holidays are, of course, another story.

GMK35

My takeaway has been its cyclical across probably all airlines. I have a buddy at AA who used to drop every month to zero, then rebuild out of open time. Now he can’t drop a single trip for months on end, but that likely goes back to the former at some point in the future. At DAL, it seems fairly fleet specific (better staffing = more opportunity to drop trips due to good coverage).

So, while I’m right there with you personally, I don’t think this is a data point that’s worth making a decision based on…they’re all going to ebb and flow over time on how much dropping you can get away with.

haoyuanwen

Have my interview coming up and can use some pointers…

In the email they said do not bind/tab any requested documents… I use an electronic log book (still have the paper one) and I’m wondering how to best present it if they said no binding? I do my entries leg by leg so it’s going to be a few pages.

I have heard people spiral binding them with a summary page but want to hear your thoughts!

Thank you

Sheg0theD

When they say don’t tab, they are referring to all the other paperwork. I created a summery page and tabbed check-rides, OE, Upgrade,etc…

At the interview they seemed please to have the summary page and associated tabs.

Best of luck!


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Auburngrad2007

I concur with my colleague, binding is necessary for your log books. I went to Staples and for simple sticky tabs and added and used them for all required events. Being a prior military guy, I had other required documentation to provide that incorporated an overall flying summary. So I can't speak to that for those coming from other backgrounds.

All other required documentation will be taken up before the interview begins.

Good luck again.

Threetwenty

Hi guys,

I have been reading this forum for a while now and have a few questions to ask.

I currently fly for a major airline in Europe. I will soon become eligible to work and live in the US following my marriage and we are considering to move to the US in the future.

I am in my 30s, 7000TT, 2000h as PIC (B737 and A320), Part 121 : 4500h on the 737NG, 2100h on the A320.

I am starting to consider a move to the US, ideally I want to live in NYC as I have family there already. I have been looking at Delta but I have a few questions to ask before I go any further :

- NYC seems pretty easy to get as a base, how difficult is it to live in Brooklyn and commute to all 3 airports ?

- Can I bid for my initial base as a new joiner ? If yes, can I bid for a fleet in particular ?

- if I understand well, year 1 will be Reserve (short or long call), is this correct ? How long before a new joiner based in NYC can hold a line and bid ?

- Time to upgrade is key to me. What is a “reasonable time” for a command upgrade in NYC and what aircraft are available to new upgrades ? Again, new command = reserve ?

- How is the airline with its employees ? The airline I work is very friendly and helpful, for instance any personal of family issue you may have is treated like “take whatever time off you need and come back when ready, we here to help, you are not alone”. Another example, Line training, well, your instructors will call you the day before your flights to see how is it going so far. You get it, it’s a friendly environment.
How is it at Delta ? Can you ring your base manager or anyone directly if you need something ? Are you just a seniority number ?

- how is the atmosphere in the flight deck, what’s the culture like, atmosphere during layovers ? how is the gradient in the cockpit ?

- Lastly but not least, the safety culture. How is it, is it fair ? Are crew honest and transparent when messing up and are they afraid or not to write safety reports when needed ? Any hand flying allowed or not ?

Thanks for your help.

haoyuanwen

Thank you for that! A few more questions if you don’t mind. I currently use LogTenPro which can generate a summary page, not sure what kind of summary they are looking for… time by aircraft or aircraft type (turbo prop, turbo fan etc)?

Also, set 2 documents require
“1. Pilot certificates and FAA First Class Medical (Originals and one copy).
2. ATP certificate (Original and one copy) or one copy of valid ATP written exam results if you do not have an ATP certificate.”

Are they asking for all certs? I copied the frontside of all my current certificate (CFI and ATP) and medical all on 1 page, is that okay?

For the atp certified by itself, I printed it out both front and back, I know it doesn’t specify to do so, I figured it wouldn’t hurt…

Thanks again for all the help and guidance, I really want everything to be perfect. Dream company to work for!


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tennisguru

I'll take a stab at a few:


- NYC seems pretty easy to get as a base, how difficult is it to live in Brooklyn and commute to all 3 airports ?

Should be fairly easy. Depending on what fleet you are on can determine which airport you will have to report to the most.

- Can I bid for my initial base as a new joiner ? If yes, can I bid for a fleet in particular ?

Yes, everyone bids for their preferred combinations of base/aircraft based on the selections offer to that specific class.

- if I understand well, year 1 will be Reserve (short or long call), is this correct ? How long before a new joiner based in NYC can hold a line and bid ?

With NYC being so undesirable for most people, it goes very junior. Depending on which fleet you end up on you may not even sit a day of reserve before holding a line. As long as hiring continues at a brisk pace you won't be looking at more than a few months on reserve. Definitely not anywhere close to a year. And living in base bidding reserve can actually allow you greater schedule flexibility and more money making opportunities...

- Time to upgrade is key to me. What is a “reasonable time” for a command upgrade in NYC and what aircraft are available to new upgrades ? Again, new command = reserve ?

Right now people with less than 1 year on property are holding NYC captain spots. While nothing is guaranteed, the trend is likely to hold for another year or two so if it's what you want you should be able to hold captain in NYC fairly quickly. As an extremely junior captain, you are probably looking at a few years of reserve.

- how is the atmosphere in the flight deck, what’s the culture like, atmosphere during layovers ? how is the gradient in the cockpit ?

Every airline has their small percentage of idiots who make life miserable, but they are the exception, not the norm. In my 5 years here I have yet to fly with another crew member who I would not want to fly with again.

- Lastly but not least, the safety culture. How is it, is it fair ? Are crew honest and transparent when messing up and are they afraid or not to write safety reports when needed ? Any hand flying allowed or not ?

I'd say we have a decent safety culture on the pilot side of things. Lots of people make mistakes and it's treated as a learning experience. Two things get you fired from Delta immediately: Lying and stealing. If you don't do those you'll be ok. Now there are some safety things based on fatiguing schedules and such, but I've never gotten push back when I've called in fatigued or delayed a flight for food.

Hand flying is supported and allowed. Other than using some common sense as to when to do it there are no restrictions, other than obvious things like CAT III, etc. People are encouraged to keep their hand-flying skills current.

Thanks for your help.

Whoopsmybad

This is pretty spot on, good advise.