Funk

Except that aside from occasional cranks, there are very few on WB crews that try to pee from a great height on the junior pilots. In my experience, the briefing was as polite and accommodating as one could imagine. Maybe the 350 and 4 man ops might have some dearth of legs and landings, but otherwise it was never an issue to maintain currency, first break isn’t a punishment, and aside from questions of being a reserve commuter, it doesn’t suck to be junior in the WB portion of our airline.

Herkflyr

I realize some of that was attempted humor (and funny too). However for anyone lurking who flies for another carrier, or anyone looking into this industry, I wanted to clarify that DAL does international ops differently (and better) than other places. We do NOT have dedicated "relief pilot" pairings or lines. We merely have two fully qualified FOs on each international pairing that requires it. Usually just one captain (traditional Europe or S. America long haul) but for > 12 hours we have two captains as well.

But for the traditional 3-pilot flying, the two FOs merely figure out who gets the landing coming back from Europe for example. Sometimes we discuss who has the greater landing currency, sometimes we just flip a coin. Sometimes the captain won't even take a landing and give it to both FOs--at least that's how it was several years ago when I was flying 7ER international.

The whole "you'll never fly, and always have first break all the time" doesn't apply here. And that's a good thing.

I do think that flying domestically as a new hire is beneficial but hey, someone has to fill the unfilled 330B slots. If a new hire is motivated and wants to do that then enjoy.

m3113n1a1

Great post.

Nantonaku

Really? Totally different experience. Constantly got the iCrew popup when I was junior. Never felt proficient and averaged < 1 landing a month. First break about 75% of the time. Not bad flying it is just different and being junior in my experience meant never flying and first break.

TED74

I want to agree with you. It feels right to agree that cutting your teeth and suffering through some of the crap is a good idea. But in the end, life is short, earnings matter, have fun.

I’m pretty sure military officers who were enlisted first generally make better officers. But given the option to skip four years of the enlisted life, I’d recommend it to most.

Particularly for a former 121 pilot, I would take 330 and never look back. I think most mil folks and their families would do best with that option too, as long as they understand the adjustment down the road - should they want to dabble in the NB trenches as a B or A some day. It’ll be a rough transition, but at a much better pay level and with the individual and the family having already figured out some of the gig.

captkdobbs

I've been junior flying both the 7ER international and now the 330. (85%+ for the majority of my time on those fleets). I'll verify Herk's version of events in my experience. I'm not sure what base or how long ago you did your international, but I've never had an issue 'being put in my place' as a junior guy.

It might be the way I approach the briefings as well as the attitude of the other pilots. If I was on a 'B-only' pairing playing musical crews, I'd always say that I expect to relief, but will never give up a landing if offered.

Most of the time the question of 'who needs a landing most' comes up early in the briefing and that is taken into consideration. If the currency popup occurs, I'll always respectfully ask for a landing and generally get one without too much pushback.

Scooter432

It appears the next AE may possibly be in December. I emailed BS himself to ask a few questions and mentioned the next AE date as a possibility.

tennisguru

Might need to unlock the 2022 AE thread...

sailingfun

The CA is supposed to allocate legs based on currency. If it’s a 3 man crew with 2 legs the two least current pilots should get the legs.

JamesBond

Cruise pilot.