Stitches

Not that I disagree with you but originator departures is the key metric. TPA rumor is persistent due to the number of aircraft overnighting there. That said I believe even that number may be misleading as I don't have the data but my understanding was that before Denver became a base the originators didn't justify opening a base there. I think it was the (future) plan to add them that was the deciding factor.

lr35pilot

What is the time frame for BWI or Chicago? Also, how do they determine seniority when starting new hire class? Age?

Thanks

FL180

Seniority within a class is by age. My first month was in OAK, months 2&3 in HOU and next month in MDW (could have held BWI is well). I was in the top third of my class. The top five or so guys went to PHX their first month, the rest of us went to OAK. The class before us was almost all PHX their first month and a few LAS. With only 1 class a month in Sept and Oct I would guess that each class will go mostly to OAK and a few to PHX for the first month. Recent new hires have been able to get to all bases with the exception of ATL, MCO and DEN within the first 4 months or so.

lr35pilot

Thank you. Good info

ZapBrannigan

To answer the "how long to get to MDW" question, I suppose that would depend on the amount and the pace of future hiring. If the music stops in October it may be quite a while.

FL180

I would agree. If you are in either the Sept or Oct class I would bet that you would be spread out between OAK, PHX and maybe LAS at least until hiring picks back up next year. It's sounding like first quarter 2015 will only be transitions and no new hires.

You will fill out a training domicile preference sheet during training to complete your IOE. They try to get you your first choice but if not they will positive space you to your IOE from your closest SWA airport. So depending when you start IOE it's possible to have up to one month in a more favorable domicile. After you finish IOE they give you trips from your training domicile to finish out the rest of the month. For example, I chose MDW as my training domicile but got DEN instead. My IOE trip was an MCO trip so they positive spaced me to MCO the day before my IOE trip and paid for my hotel in MCO. I still had a week left after IOE so I got a DEN trip that last week. I was responsible for commuting to and from DEN and any hotels I needed before or after my trip. The next month you get a hard line in your regular domicile. You can trade or drop as much of this schedule as you want. The schedule I was awarded was nothing like what I ended up with after trading. I traded for commutable trips and if you drop a trip you can then pick one up from a closer domicile. So your first month or two are pretty flexible. Once you get on reserve it's not as easy to manipulate your schedule.

Anyway enough rambling for now. Hopefully this helps someone.

FL180

Oh, and you also get full medical insurance for the entire family from day one. Save your money on cobra coverage if you were considering it.

lr35pilot

I suppose you are not CASS until after training? So no jumpseating back home when in training if there are any breaks?

FL180

You are in CASS within a day or two of your first day. A bit of advise... GO HOME!!! At least the first few full weekends. You are actually required to Jumpseat on a minimum of four flights during training. Just go home and knock them out early. Once you start sim you are down there for the long haul.

ZapBrannigan

Good advice. You need a break or two during training.