Bill Lumberg

Welcome back. If you have access to Icrew, you can view bid packages for each plane in SLC. It appears the 320 has more 5 day trips, which could be good for commuting, hence more credit for the 5 days you are away. If you don't want to be away that long, maybe go for the 73N. I would always go for which ever plane gives you a better percentage in base. That would be the 73N for you, right? The 73N also pays more per hour. I think I read you were considering LAX too from your home in PHX? SLC is a better choice if there are mainline flights, giving mainline jumps. I looked online and I saw both USAir and Southwest also fly between those cities. The higher percentage in category would give you a better chance of getting more commutable trips. Looking at the bid packages, looks like both planes hit every corner of the US. Good variety for both. Looks like the 73n does ANC from both SLC and MSP now, but that could change for the Summer. Also, which big plane do you want to eventually end up on other than the 777 or 744? Would you like to go to
the 757/767/764, or A330? If you do the 73N now, it may be easier to go onto a bigger Boeing, and obviously the A320 could make an easier
transition to the bigger bus. Sure, you could still do either big plane, but that might be something you might think about. Just throwing things out there. The 73N cockpit looks tighter up front than the more comfortable bus, but it seems like you "manage" the bus and "fly" the 73N(IMO). The 6 weeks of training would be done in MSP for the bus, and ATL for the 73N. (sims are in those locations) If I were you, I would go for the one that gives you a better percentage: 73N. Good luck.

Roadkill

Hey, thanks for the research, and the words! I'm leaning towards 73N at SLC commuting out of PHX right now (good memory!), and I THINK my AE counting/calculations are accurate as to where I'd fall in category... Just tweaked the last category lists for the latest bid, lots of counting folks above/below!

It looks like I'd be 79% on LAX73NB, but I don't know how much I trust that to hold a line, especially with LAX 73 having only 62 pilots and folks seem to bid in and out of there... but it keeps tempting me! With no Delta hops PHX-LAX though, and getting bottom of the barrel if I even got a line, I'm thinking SLC73N @58% is the way to go while I'm learning the ropes.

I guess I'm looking into the details too much maybe, like what's the flying like and where does it go... maybe that's all so far below category-seniority until you're in the top third that it's not a player? When I look at all the guys I know who get displaced from one jet to another, base to base, I guess I can always get my feet wet and some knowledge in my brain while at a decent-seniority/non-crappy location, and then bid a different plane/location later hey?

Just gettin' excited to be back... printed my retirement orders Mon, effective.... NOW! to the minute! I am hereby USAF Retired!

Bill Lumberg

Good for you! Yeah, I looked at the LAX 73N stuff too, and a lot of those trips seem to be allnighters, and not always commutable. Go for SLC and the better percentage on the 73N. That is what I would do. Just watch the weather and if big snow is coming, get on an earlier flight to commute. Give yourself breathing room, which means latter afternoon duty ins for trips, and early duty outs when trips are over. It looks like both the 73N and bus have that in SLC, but go for the better percentage, it pays off during the slower months of the year (sep, Feb, oct), you won't be close to reserve and you can manipulate your schedule with swaps for trips etc. It means everything for QOL, and that 737 pays more too.

Ralphie

Off topic, where do we input requests for training/CQ golden days? Didn't see it in the initial bid section. Does it only come up a month or so before you're due?

Wilbur Wright

iCrew>Personnel>Training/VTS>Display/Update Recurrent Training Golden Days

The reminder comes up the month prior, but you can input your days anytime.

satchip

Will the OE planners call when they schedule you or are you supposed to call them. My schedule changes from NOE to IOE this week but there is no rotation info. I remember the ER OE planner would call and give you the info but that was three years ago.

BlueMoon

Sure was better than watching the Pro-Bowl. I bet it got higher ratings too.

nwaf16dude

I'm going from 1 non-stop CRJ per day to 11, so it has to be an improvement. Depending on the month they throw in an 88 or two per day. Added bonus, I can drive it if I have to, and short calls are only 12 hours. Those 24 hour short calls were killin' me in DTW.

roadrunner65

As of 0930 this morning, DTW metro area is under a Blizzard Warning, 7pm Tue - Wed morning. 12-15 in of snow, 40mph gusts., vis 1/4. I don't see much flying going on tomorrow here if it is as bad as they say. I have a 9am trip tomorrow, still shows on sked. I don't think many people will even be able to make the drive to the airport unless they have one of those Michigan redneck monster trucks. I predict DTW is a ghost town until Wed night at least.

roadrunner65

Blizzard warning in effect from 7 pm this evening to 7 pm est wednesday... The national weather service in detroit/pontiac has issued a blizzard warning...which is in effect from 7 pm this evening to 7 pm est wednesday. The winter storm watch is no longer in effect. * heavy snow...strong gusty winds...and widespread blowing and drifting snow will make travel dangerous tonight and wednesday. * white-out conditions with visibilities of one-quarter of mile or less due to intense snowfall and blowing snow. * quickly accumulating snow and blowing and drifting snow will make roads very hard to clear. * untreated roads will become slippery...snowpacked...and dangerous