MasterOfPuppets

the bids previous to the last one had unfilled EWR 756 they can still offer those spots until they expire. A new bid does not erase them.

But seriously

This, right here is important. Right now there is fast movement to all bases and fleets, but this industry flips on a dime. Don’t bid something you can’t live with long term. You could get stuck there way longer than you planned.

VacancyBid

#1 - base changes are relatively quick and easy. Airframe changes are relatively hard and slow. You are seat locked for 2 years on an airplane UNLESS you are moving to higher pay (pertinent example - 737 to 756).

#2 - bigger bases make scheduling easier. SFO 756 has 72 FO's. 737 has 200.

#3 - There are some bases (DEN for example) where 756 FO is not VERY junior.

#4 - EWR is only an hour longer but the extra hour difference further complicates the commute. It also is prone to really bad delays more than ORD

I would say that setting yourself up for a SEA-EWR commute is a really really really bad idea. 737 will make it easier to get closer to home quicker and give you bigger bases with more flexibility. If you wanna change your mind 737 > 756 after two months, you can.

I would expect you could hold some western 737 base before you hit the line so don't worry about which base you get to start.

FADE

That data helps a lot. Based on the last serval months of drops, I hadn't expected any choice other than A320 vs 737, so this 756 added a new dimension. Sounds like my best bet (pending my relative class senority) will be ORD 737. Then near term try to trade/vacancy bid to west coast, and longer term potentially bid 756/777/787 West Coast at some point in the future when I'm more senior. Thanks for the info and I'm excited to get started next week.

ugleeual

‘yep good plan… 737 anywhere is your best bet… then 756.

ThumbsUp

Thanks, MOP--I didn't even bother looking at the previous one. Being so frequent is throwing me off.

For any of the poolies looking, that means there is the potential for 756 FO (mainly EWR) to be offered through mid-Apr.

Flyler

I know this is like asking a magic 8 ball, but how likely are direct entry captain spots to still be on the table in a couple months? Are there specific requirements to be a DEC? I imagine the downside being, youll remain on reserve until your peers catch up to you in seniority?

kevin18

I would say extremely likely and 1000 hours of 121 time.

Also, not a DEC, you will be a FO for a year and 500 hours until all new contract language for reserve is implemented and they do the short training at 350 hours.

MasterOfPuppets

The answer depends on the order books and deliveries.

first there is no DEC you will be an FO, currently for a year and off probation, once reserve rules are implemented 350 hours. So United is currently placing CAs for summer of 2025.

If they decide that they are no longer taking the MAX 10 and MAX deliveries slow to a point that they decide they will have enough CAs for summer 2025 they will stop offering.

Same goes for A321, if orders pick up through 2025 they may offer on the bus instead. However, the bus tends to get filled on vacancy bids.

When August rolls around and ALL the new reserve rules are implemented reserve will become a lot less painful and will become quite lucrative this may attract current pilots and if it attracts enough then they may stop giving CA bids to New hires.

all this to say who knows.

Lumberg823

Don't forget 100 hours of OE. That alone would be enough to dissuade me from going that route and waiting till I met the mins and do a normal OE.