arouth

I've done a few searches in this thread and am probably getting a 737 type rating with my ATP. So it looks like if I get hired initially there is a good chance to go to either PHX or LAS, and it's around a 15 year upgrade. A couple of questions...

1. If I wanted to stay in LAS or PHX would I be able to do that? I used to live in Vegas and would not mind moving back for a few years.

2. I saw a lot of discussion on reserves or how there really isn't reserves at SW since you almost always fly. but not much on the actual schedule..what is the normal monthly schedule like? Can you do out and backs or are you on 3 or 4 day trips?

Pretty useful thread here, thanks for any advice.

e6bpilot

Pretty accurate info. The upgrade thing is whatever...if we continue to grow our seniority list at this pace then it will be much shorter. If we stop growing then much longer. Truth is nobody knows.

1. Both are junior FO bases. They are both great places to live. PHX is a very senior captain base.
2. Reserve is a subject very near and dear to my heart. Yes, you fly a lot on reserve, but it is a quasi b scale for pay. You have either 3 or 4 day blocks, usually a mix of the two. 15 days off per month. 90 TFP is the normal reserve line. If you are in one of those junior bases, you will probably only spend 1-2 months on reserve and never see it again until you upgrade. Nobody bids down to reserve unless they either forget to bid or there is a holiday they need off that they can't get as a line holder.

Nextlife

Any words of another DB this week?

bkflyer

Had an interview last week and Rocky said not to expect to hear anything for a month. Is that accurate, or is that a worst case scenario? I know it depends on when the decision board meets, but are there other indicators on how the process is moving along for me? Thanks

OB Pilot

He was probably leaning toward the worst case scenario just in case it does take that long. The DBs have been reviewing candidates every couple weeks and then the Training Dept will put you in class based on having a 737 type or not having a type. It's generally a good sign that things are moving for you if your references get called and they have you take a drug test.

Nextlife

I think a month is worst case, but also accurate right now. The 14 Sept week interviewee's were getting calls around 14 Oct (second hand info from here) and my week (5 Oct) hasn't heard anything other than some guys having references called. It's been a long three weeks.

arouth

So is it always 3 or 4 day "blocks" (which I assume are days) or is there ever an option for out and backs? Sleeping in my own bed at night is nice...but maybe not happening for a while.

WHACKMASTER

Definitely not happening for a while. Out & back lines go way senior because they are easy to give away and then those senior FOs can pick up premium.

You can snag the occasional out & back turn, but don't expect your whole monthly line to be that. Of course, that all depends on what base you're in as well. Some have more day trips than others.

The standard line you'll usually get awarded will be 12-13 days of flying in a month (usually four 3-days and maybe a turn). So unless you pickup extra, plan on being away from home two nights a week with the occasional three nights a week.

Of course, this is all predicated on living in base. If you commute, you'll probably have to come in the night before if you're doing AMs or possibly get in too late to catch the last flight back home if you're doing PM.

Living in base can greatly improve your quality of life as well as your paycheck.

Woodbourne23

In my five years I have never seen anything less than a 3 day block of reserve on an awarded schedule. You may end up with a day trip here and there while you are on call, but you won't know that till the day is over.
With that said, you can try and pick up out and backs on your days off if you are legal and at the top of the bid list for the particular trip you desire. Those trips are almost always in high demand regardless of domicile

Nextlife

Yes, I'm quoting myself, but I just heard there is a DB this Wednesday. Don't have any details other than that though.