JimLaheyTPS

if I don’t have training or vacation in my monthly award I almost always have 18 days off with nothing but New York transcons. 17 if I throw in the rare Hawaii trip. The more junior pilots on base however aren’t seeing that with the 15 hour 3 days that started to dominate the bid packages. So you’re right that there is a decrease of the really high credit 2 day transcons, but still enough for me to build out 18 days off. Once that ends I’m bouncing to the 777.

ThumbsUp

Aren’t those all red-eyes out, though? That’s at least what I’m seeing.

TenaciousB

THAT is something to think about. Days off with friends and family are golden, even if the flying and overnights are meh. And a great aircraft of course.

Thanks everyone for the information.

Grumble

Not good and getting worse from the sounds of it. Went and looked at the last vacancy bid and 50 FO’s bid off with no back fill. Looks like company is trying to shrink the fleet.

TyWebb

bumping this thread - interviewing soon and just curious to 737 vs 320 on commutable lines, decent junior flying (no redeyes if able). I am commuting from a town with only 3 RJ flights daily to SFO. Sounds like 320 may be better fit from reading this thread if the info remains the same - I don't mind regional style flying and just want to come to work get it done and get home. I understand 737 is where the growth and with that said could a junior pilot bid for less redeyes/transcons or will that take some seniority to accomplish?

edit: also if someone could provide a rough estimate on time to hold a line between the two a/c, that would be greatly appreciated as well.

ThumbsUp

The seniority dynamics amongst both fleets are pretty inconsequential. For a few months it might be better on the 737, then flip flop to the 320. The benefit of the 737 is that it is a larger fleet, so there are more trips in open time to trade. Where you will be relatively seniority wise/line holder timeframe is pretty much a wash with the current bid period tipping towards the 320 with a difference to a line about 5 months sooner. The junior line holder on the 320 was a Aug 22 hire, 737, Mar 22.

Just looking at a junior line holder on both fleets, for Jan it was about 13-14 days off on both fleets with more red eyes on the 737. That assumes that junior lineholders on the 737 didn’t want those trips, though which isn’t always the case. The trip construction is about the same for both in that seniority range, normally about 2-3 legs per day.

snackysmores

If you're on the 320 in SFO you will likely spend day 1 doing a red-eye to CMH or PIT followed by 2-3 days of ORD/DEN hub turns. Not really sure who gets to do the west coast flying.

Grumble

it’s the most senior fleet in SFO if that tells you anything.

luv757

My percentage as a 787FO is just about the same as my percentage as a 756CA and junior to my percentage as a 737 or 320CA.

tundrabeat

Comparing 737 and A320 in SFO and LAX, which combination presently allows maximum schedule flexibility and ability to pick up premium pay? How many legs per day A320 v 737. Thank you!