Chuck D

IMO a real problem would be having to fly the MD80

It's a 2 year seat lock - not a really big deal in the grand scheme - so worst case you see a few people bail on vacancies at the 2 year point, but in a few jr bases you can hold a line at that point also.

Broncofan

It's not a big deal if you live in base, sure.. but if you are a commuter its a very big deal because your stuck commuting to reserve for 2 years. I just got off my 2 year on the 756 and could not be happier. To go to the 737, hold a line and see some variety on the west coast

All In

To each their own. But FWIW, When I came to United, I already had 7 years in a guppy. Chose the 57 and loved it. (Was based on it on both coasts) never once, for any reason, wished I had chose the 737/320. Be sure to understand the contract, seat locks etc. important to make an educated decision but don’t let it scare you from bidding it.

JoePatroni

I just flew with a guy who has been here six months on the 756 as a new hire and commutes to reserve, he said he averages 2-3 nights a month in a crash pad because he uses the aggressive pickup window regularly.

C-17 Driver

DCA 756 FO here. I live in base (115 miles to IAD). I’m at around 48% in BES.

I bid reserve by chouce during the school year and the QOL has been great. Most of the time, I don’t even have a bag packed when on short call. Last year, I went 56 days between work events other than SCs.

I worked 2 days this month as a PC Fill-in. I didn’t see that coming.

However, with the latest cmvacancy bid, I think IAD flying may get before up. I don’t see any other explanation to increasing the FO slots by 50 bodies. There are 18 reserves available tomorrow and only one open trip. In November, there are only 9 trips open for the entire month. Line holders are usually the ones picking up open trips. The time off is good if you want it.

My point is that Global reserve is different than narrow body reserve. Living in base vs commuting is a much different animal and now that they can track how SCs are picked up, it may be less tolerable for the commuters.

As for the change in SC tracking, as a local guy, I would be willing to hook a fellow pilot up and APU a SC if they are in a pinch. Just click on my name and send me a note via Crew Companion. I will never ask for anything in return, only that you pay it forward. PM me if you want my contact info.

Zenofzin

If your jr the 757 flying sucks, it's a lot of 3 day pairings back to back (6 day work blocks) worth 15 hrs each, when you could do one 21-24hr 4 day on the 737 for the same pay. The 737 has a lot more variety and quicker upward movement. I wouldn't want to be a bottom feeder on the 757. Commuting to reserve is not that bad with aggressive pick up, I wouldn't move to a base unless you really want to live there, your time on reserve will be short lived. 737 has a ton of different trips and a lot of open time, great for new hires. Fun plane great crews. 757 is great when you can crack 50% or better seniority and hold the good trips, but any of the international stuff I.e. 757/777/78 is really fatiguing, not for everyone. A lot of guys are parking on the 737 to avoid the all night long haul flying, and if you work the system on the 737 a little the money is really great. Probably more then you wanted to know

PA Slammer

"...3 day pairings back to back (6 day work blocks) worth 15 hrs each, when you could do one 21-24hr 4 day on the 737 for the same pay..."

Ummmmm??? I've already had a beer or two, but that doesn't add up.

svergin

Factually inaccurate. The 756 pays more than the 737. Only the 737-8/9 pays the same as the 752. Also, the assumption is that 3 day trips on the 756 are all only 15 hours and 4 day trips on the guppy are all 21-24 hrs. Actually, 756 trips average more pay per day than the gupster does AND the plane pays more.

The ONLY advantage of the guppy is better seniority movement because 1) It pays less than 756 and 2) Lots of up and down flying instead of longer flights and shorter duty days on the 756 fleet.

C-17 Driver

Not useful to debate which fleet is better. Both have pros and cons. Different strokes for different folks is applicable in this conversation.

webecheck

He's attempting to argue the efficiency, for a commuter I suppose, is worse on the 756. In some respects he's right because there are far more 2 and 3 day trips on the 757. The junior lines on the 737 do in fact create a more commutable schedule with far more 4 day trips being available. And since a 73 pays the same as the 752, you're not making any more money with that transcon out of lax or sfo. It is possible to get 5 day domestics which the 73 doesn't have, but there aren't enough of those for a commuter to think he can bid just 5 days and be set.