AU MD FLYER

Are the vacancies available to each new hire class posted BEFORE they allow the new-hires to submit their bids? The reason I ask is...
I was wondering if a new hire doesn't submit a bid, or only bids the 200 to which there were no posted vacancies available, and is then assigned an aircraft due to company needs (i.e. 900), would the seat lock still apply? Thanks...

HighFlight

Your GF's QoL depends on that. Or BF. Not judging.

HighFlight

Timing is everything, eh? I wanted the 900, cuz "everyone" told me it was a superior plane.

Then about 2 weeks before I started here, someone at EDV who is pretty smart told me that was a mistake, to take the 200 instead. Thankfully, I listened. A year and a half later, with zero reserve, I am enjoying 20-21 days off a month on the 200. A classmate who picks up quite a bit hit 1,000 hours in that same time frame and is eligible for CA. Another classmate who started out on the 900 just broke 500 hours of company time last month, after switching to the 200 to get off RSV.

YMMV. And for sure, with ATL opening up to the 900, things will change. But, as I have read on many sub-forums... always bid what you want, and never chase the plane. At the end of the day, once you level off, we all fly the same speeds.

web500sjc

The list of available positions at the end of the vacancy process only gives the company the number of seats and their location that the company can fill with new hires, the company gets to determin how those positions are distributed among the new hire classes. They don’t publish the list of what is available, you find out what was available when everyone gets awarded their position. If you don’t bid, you get what ever the last available position was- no matter your seniority. ( your number 1 seniority in the class want to get MSP900, Forget to bid? if everyone else had it as their last choice, you’ll get it; if the most junior person had it as their highest choice that was still available- you’ll get what they didnt want. And you don’t get to put the bid in after the deadline.)

web500sjc

In February, the 200 was the airplane to be on... we were getting 15 and opening a base unique to the 200. Obviously that changed and the 900 is now the growth airplane. But being in the 200 is nothing to sulk about they are both good airplanes. I too wanted the 900,but got stuck on the 200 because I forgot to put in the new hire bid. I would have had a similar experience in the 900 as the 200. Now a year later, I have a classmate that won’t consider the 200 for upgrade because he is scared, or sees it as inferior or below him, I don’t know but he probably wouldn’t have that opinion if he was on thwpe 299 to begin with. Unless the airplane you want is the only one in a base (that only applies to the 900and MSP; as if you want that good luck)- they are the same airplane, and you’ll have relatively similar experiences, just study the books, and have fun flying with great Captains, FOs, and FAs.

AU MD FLYER

Thanks for that informative reply Web. So, the 2 year seat lock would still apply even if you are "assigned" an aircraft as a new hire?

Would seem a bit harsh to me...

Actually, if the first year pay is the same, then maybe the seat lock shouldn't apply until year 2, -IF- "ASSIGNED" an aircraft you didn't bid for. With attrition movement in both fleets, then a new hire should have an opportunity to bid over to their desired fleet at some point prior to the end of their first year. Just a thought... especially if only one fleet is made available for the entire new hire class.

web500sjc

There is no seat lock for new hires right now. The 24 month seat lock your talking about is if a pilot voluntarily moves to a “lower” paying position (any CA to FO or any 900 to 200- except for 900FO to 200CA) And For FOs moving between aircraft, the freeze doesn’t prevent upgrades, but upgrade incurs a 12 month seat lock.

This isn’t the place where you can get a preferred aircraft from the recruiter and wait until that airplane is available. If they do start a training freeze for new hires, it won’t start til January 1st at the earliest and will only be 18 months from Date of Hire, and will allow aircraft changes for a brand new base.

AU MD FLYER

All good stuff... thank you! I don't work for Endeavor, but I'm considering my options to make my life a little simpler.

Also, did you mean to put 900FO to 200FO, as 900FO to 200CA should be a pay INCREASE and an UPGRADE!

Additionally, so NO seat lock for any new hire... therefore, a new hire whose class is all 900FO, can bid down to 200FO at any point before he / she upgrades?

Wow, a training freeze? That would be a game changer... especially if stuck as a 900FO on reserve in NY/LGA for all 18 months, and no 4-6 hotels a month for commuters. OUCH!

Is there a way to get an electronic copy of the "current" contract to review these policies and other pertinent sections?

Thanks again, AU.

web500sjc

Good luck! If you need any more help
Just PM me.

HighFlight

Everything web500sjc said is spot-on. Wanted to add a bit about the hotels. Bear in mind that while some regionals do have the 4 commuter hotels per month, they really only make a difference for folks who have a line. When on RSV, you will need a place to stay every night in base, hence the reference to 19 nights a month (only 11 days off on RSV).

Best of luck in making the decision!