DCA A321 FO

Congrats on the class date. I am pretty lazy so I went to A330 to make room for you on the 767 :-) Welcome to the new AA.

Al Czervik

Yes.




Filler...

ackattacker

Living in base, reserve is not really a bad gig at all.

Whatever aircraft you are assigned in training, the first year pay is the same. And after the first year, you can bid something else. This is why, for a first year guy, the E190 may actually be the best (if you are OK with a Philly base). The E190 has the most rapid movement, so you will enjoy a better schedule that first year and get paid the same as a guy who was awarded the 767. And if you live in base, and don't mind being the junior reserve guy, going from E190 F/O straight to E190 Captain in year 2 is the quickest way to make money. Year 1 $40 an hour, Year 2 $117 an hour (2015 E190 Year 2 Captain rate).

If you want something other than a Philly base, then you want the Airbus.

gvinflight

I'd be more thank happy to take Philly on the 190 if I could just get the phone to ring! Any word on what's really happening in hiring and what they are looking for? I've been under review since the new app was requested and in the previous windows, but still nothing. Any clues as to what they are looking for? Also, is there a way to submit a new resume to the application? I've since added a type rating. Thanks fellas.

JumpersAway79

Something to keep in mind here, in regard to the 767 slots, and those that get them...........

The summer schedule is approaching, and the training classes now, will be feeding the increased block hours associated with that. The 767 is notorious for a swell in block hours, over the summer, and then for reductions in the off season. It is entirely possible for newhires to get the 767 for the summer, and then for them to get displaced off of it and to the Airbus for the winter time. The one year seat lock does not apply to involuntary displacements. Heck, I just flew with a guy that got displaced after 3 months on the 767. Still though, it is a neat thing that we are seeing, especially after a 5 year movement drought.........

kingairip

Careful with that... That's not the way it is right now.

VenetianFryCook

This is exactly what we are saying - your class may very well be offered some 767 positions depending on where training capacity is available. Our latest system bid closed Sunday night and posted yesterday. There were 24 vacant positions on the 75/76 in PHL and 8 more in CLT. Those positions are vacant because they weren't bid ... people either didn't want them for whatever reason, or they were frozen and couldn't be awarded them. Therefore, they will likely be offered to new hire classes. In addition to those positions, there were 43 unfilled A320 openings (26 PHL, 11 CLT, and 6 DCA) and 30 unfilled E190 PHL openings.

So, while there is a variety of aircraft our incoming new hires can expect for their first assignment, the lion's share of the open positions on all fleets are in PHL, so your odds are high of going there regardless of your initial fleet.

Typically, six pilots in every class are sent to the E190, as that is currently the practical limit of the simulator schedule when accounting for CQTs and other training requirements on that fleet. The other positions are on an as-needed basis. For maximum domicile flexibility, choose the Airbus, as you will VERY likely get any of the three East domiciles in relatively short order. (A number of people who were awarded DCA or PHL in indoc in the last couple classes were awarded CLT on this bid, even though they're not yet finished with training. A freeze keeps you on equipment, but you're free to change bases on it with any bid so long as there's an opening.) For maximum movement, choose the E190, as the progression to blockholder is far quicker than the other fleets. And if you want to see the world, choose the 767. You will fly the islands and you will fly to Europe. In CLT, at least, you will fly to Brazil.

A word of caution, though. Typically, the widebody fleets expand in the summer (more augmented crews required for seasonal transatlantic service) and contract for the winter schedule, so the most junior F/Os on those aircraft can become "seasonal help". In addition, we were supposed to start retiring some of the 757/767 fleet. That retirement was postponed, at least until the end of this summer's seasonal Europe flying. But after the fall drawdown (and especially if some fleet retirements do start to happen on that fleet), it is highly likely that many new hires who take the 75/76 will get bumped elsewhere. As was mentioned, no freezes are incurred with a displacement, so you can choose to go anywhere you can hold. If you don't mind two initials in one year, you could have a lot of fun trotting the globe this summer.

CptRexKramer

Believe it or not, that is correct. DCA FOs hired in Nov '12 are holding secondary lines in February.

The Drizzle

Having a block for one month does not mean they are holding them. I've had two since being hired in summer '12 but I wouldn't call myself a secondary block holder yet.

There was an abnormally high number of secondaries in DCA for Feb as well.

321pilot

I am working on some LORs for both American and US Airways apps. How are you all addressing these (for the header, not to mail it)? Just one letter addressed to American in DFW and submitted to both airlines? Or still address the US one to the US hiring folks? Pilotcareercenter.com still lists a Phoenix address for US, but I think they've moved to DFW.

My best guess is a single letter to AA and submitted to both AA and US, addressed to:
Captain John Hale, Vice President – Flight
American Airlines
P.O. Box 619617-GSWFA MD 850
DFW Airport, TX 75261

Thoughts?