DCA - Airbus or 737?
06-05-2020, 09:02 PM
#1
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Joined APC: Sep 2013
Posts: 64
DCA - Airbus or 737?
Being displaced to the narrow body and trying to decide which airplane to bid (FO). Live in Winchester, VA so trying to avoid trips that originate out of DCA and BWI. REALLY hate the 737 and hear from the Airbus guys that they love the bus. From what I can infer, flying is better on the 737 but the bus is the more pilot friendly, up to date way more comfortable airplane. The deciding factor for me will likely be the likelihood of being able to primarily fly out of Dulles so I am soliciting input from you folks who have been there, done that. I realize so many things have changed with flying but assuming things return to somewhat normal at some point, what say you? I will prob be mid level seniority (maybe worse depending on the number of furloughs - hopefully none). If it was just an airplane related decision I’d prob give the bus a whirl esp since we aren’t seat locked since I’ve spent time on the 737 and pretty much hated the airplane. But there are other factors here and not having to drive to DCA and BWI during early morning traffic is certainly a consideration. TIA!
06-06-2020, 05:32 AM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2012
Position: 787
Posts: 3,202
Being displaced to the narrow body and trying to decide which airplane to bid (FO). Live in Winchester, VA so trying to avoid trips that originate out of DCA and BWI. REALLY hate the 737 and hear from the Airbus guys that they love the bus. From what I can infer, flying is better on the 737 but the bus is the more pilot friendly, up to date way more comfortable airplane. The deciding factor for me will likely be the likelihood of being able to primarily fly out of Dulles so I am soliciting input from you folks who have been there, done that. I realize so many things have changed with flying but assuming things return to somewhat normal at some point, what say you? I will prob be mid level seniority (maybe worse depending on the number of furloughs - hopefully none). If it was just an airplane related decision I’d prob give the bus a whirl esp since we aren’t seat locked since I’ve spent time on the 737 and pretty much hated the airplane. But there are other factors here and not having to drive to DCA and BWI during early morning traffic is certainly a consideration. TIA!
06-06-2020, 05:37 AM
#4
777 - ret
Joined APC: Apr 2020
Position: Waco CG-4 center seat
Posts: 863
Anyones guess with so many forced into the base/fleet/seat ... In the past ... for those who had the choice ... BWI trips would tend to go senior as guys in that area would seek those trips ... Now? Who knows.
06-06-2020, 05:52 AM
#5
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Joined APC: Sep 2013
Posts: 64
I guess by returning to somewhat normal I meant returning to a stabilized schedule at whatever reduced size we end up being. That may not happen though for a very long time. Only thing constant will be change I’m sure.
06-06-2020, 06:05 AM
#6
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2007
Position: A320 Captain
Posts: 1,982
There is no telling what the future flying will be. For the past year prior to the current mess, 65% of the flying was IAD and the other 35% was split between BWI and DCA. Those split between BWI and DCA would fluctuate month to month based on if they used a guppy or bus.
July flying on the bus has seen a big jump...granted its off off rock bottom levels. Up to 2495 hours from 1494 in June. Interesting, though, because the split in july is 35% IAD and the other 65% is BWI/DCA.
Carlson took a chainsaw to the bus roster in this displacement. Not sure why they think they can get by with only 40 Captains...down from 118. Expect the FO ranks to be similar. The 737 pilots will outnumber the bus guys by a very large margin.
July flying on the bus has seen a big jump...granted its off off rock bottom levels. Up to 2495 hours from 1494 in June. Interesting, though, because the split in july is 35% IAD and the other 65% is BWI/DCA.
Carlson took a chainsaw to the bus roster in this displacement. Not sure why they think they can get by with only 40 Captains...down from 118. Expect the FO ranks to be similar. The 737 pilots will outnumber the bus guys by a very large margin.
06-06-2020, 06:50 AM
#7
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2012
Position: 787
Posts: 3,202
There is no telling what the future flying will be. For the past year prior to the current mess, 65% of the flying was IAD and the other 35% was split between BWI and DCA. Those split between BWI and DCA would fluctuate month to month based on if they used a guppy or bus.
July flying on the bus has seen a big jump...granted its off off rock bottom levels. Up to 2495 hours from 1494 in June. Interesting, though, because the split in july is 35% IAD and the other 65% is BWI/DCA.
Carlson took a chainsaw to the bus roster in this displacement. Not sure why they think they can get by with only 40 Captains...down from 118. Expect the FO ranks to be similar. The 737 pilots will outnumber the bus guys by a very large margin.
July flying on the bus has seen a big jump...granted its off off rock bottom levels. Up to 2495 hours from 1494 in June. Interesting, though, because the split in july is 35% IAD and the other 65% is BWI/DCA.
Carlson took a chainsaw to the bus roster in this displacement. Not sure why they think they can get by with only 40 Captains...down from 118. Expect the FO ranks to be similar. The 737 pilots will outnumber the bus guys by a very large margin.
That will make the Airbus the junior fleet at United due to pay rates.
06-06-2020, 08:48 AM
#9
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Joined APC: Jan 2020
Posts: 66
It’s anyone’s guess at this point - DCA seems to be shrinking by 60-70% overall. Not sure what your overall seniority is or will be, but we’re going from 1300 pilots down to about 600 or so. For the left seat, looks 93 787 CA, 162 737 CA, and 46 320 CA will survive the October purge.
I’ve been here for several years on the 737 right seat and have been thinking about upgrading for the past couple years. My observations are that the top 30% of the Airbus tends to go pretty senior, but the bottom end is more junior to the 737. It also seems that many of the displaced 756 and 777 pilots prefer the comfort of the bus, so my prediction is that the bus will not only be smaller but more senior.
No matter how you look at it, DCA looks like it’s getting decimated.
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I’ve been here for several years on the 737 right seat and have been thinking about upgrading for the past couple years. My observations are that the top 30% of the Airbus tends to go pretty senior, but the bottom end is more junior to the 737. It also seems that many of the displaced 756 and 777 pilots prefer the comfort of the bus, so my prediction is that the bus will not only be smaller but more senior.
No matter how you look at it, DCA looks like it’s getting decimated.
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06-06-2020, 09:01 AM
#10
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2013
Posts: 562
Take whichever will give you better schedule and best quality of life. I've flown both quite a bit and contrary to many the bus isn't that great. Yes its more comfortable , hands down. Besides that not that great. The ones that say the bus is the best airplane have never flown anything else for 20 years.
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