crewdawg

To pile onto Big Es post for the way we do it at DAL. At least on the 330, I've never had an issue getting the break I wanted (usually 1st or 3rd) or landings. If you want 1st break, you pretty much always have it. The Captain generally divvies out the landings based who needs them, to include giving both legs to the FOs.

On 4 man ops, everyone gets something. One crew splits the takeoffs/landings on the way over and the other crew splits them on the way home. If you bid a line and mostly do Asia, it's a great system...however if you're junior (like me) and generally do Europe, or bid reserve, it's kinda a pain.

In general everyone is all about keeping guys from having to make a trip to ATL.

I see merits to both ways, especially if you can make extra cash for hitting the sims.

oldmako

I realize that I am a lot slower than most of you, but I don't understand all the teeth-gnashing. If you want landings, don't bid the plane unless you can hold them. And if you need them as some kind of man-pilot litmus test, your manhood will be threatened if you're junior.

After 30 some years, I still enjoy hand-flying airplanes. But, I enjoy time off and WB pay-rates more. I've never been paid so much to do so little. Would I rather fly? Sure, but that's not how our system works. It's been this way since the day Elrey stood there as I was handed my wings.

And really, are we flying the planes now? I see the AP on before 2000 feet and it stays on till 200 feet after a 15-mile ILS. Guys hand flew the 27 all day long simply because the AP was such a POS. Auto-thrust what? Apples and oranges.

Some of the most senior FO's in my BES routinely go to TK for landings. The other 9 work days (per month) they are flying 28-hour 3 NRT bunkie trips. What's not to like? We're fortunate to have the choice. A 30-yr career at SWA is not my idea of fun.

Sorry for the rant. There's a typhoon rolling through town and I am wide awake.

IHateYou

The ego maniacs on here criticizing the rest because they are IRO, go to landings class or whatever and never “fly” are more dangerous than anyone because of their attitude.

Just because you get a whopping 3 takeoffs and landings a month in the easiest plane to fly in history and spend 99% of your “flying” on autopilot and CPDLC while playing on your iPad or MacBook doesn’t make you any better than anyone else. Anyone can load the box. Anyone can turn the autopilot on. And anyone can land a 777. You’re not that F’ing awesome.

oldmako

Not quite sure what you're saying. Was that directed at me?
And if it was, where did I or anyone else claim or infer that they were better than anyone else? It sounds to me just the opposite. That those who fly the NB's are claiming the high road while they B-slap a huge chunk of their fellow union brothers who choose to bid and fly what they prefer? Who claimed to be "F'ing awesome"? I am confused.




Am I also dangerous?

jdt30

Completely agree

All In

Ditto......

Floyd

"More dangerous than anyone because of their attitude"

It isn't rocket science. You either are junior and are forced into the bunky seat or you have the seniority to maximize your schedule and days off. Have we gone so far off the deep end that we are demonizing those who value time off and pay? I'm envious of those who either fly 9 days per month or never set foot on a plane on reserve.

Positive attitude James knows quality of life.

Floyd

For those who think the bunky should be a separate bid position do you think it will pay $224/ like the flying seat? Also having the bunky seat combined with flying bid allows for more schedule flexibility.

Those who are for a pay cut and less schedule flexibility stand up and be counted!

C-17 Driver

I’ve said it here before, and I will say it again: I went 202 days straight (Oct ‘17 - Apr ‘18) without setting foot in a UAL cockpit.

I bid reserve during the school year by choice. I can count the family events (games, concerts, etc) on one hand that I missed during that time period.

I’m paid to be available, not to fly.

Floyd

You just passed the Dr Mica Janus' Delta rocking chair test.



Yes... This is the one.