How long to achieve widebody FO?

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08-28-2023, 09:27 PM

triggers

New Hire

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Joined APC: Jul 2023

Posts: 3

How long to achieve widebody FO?

For a pilot that's newly hired today or in the next few years, what kind of timeline can one reasonably expect on the path to first officer on a widebody? Assuming one hustles and doesn't care about money or location (FL/Texas would be nice but not necessary). Would you need to upgrade from narrowbody first officer to narrowbody captain before moving to widebody first officer?

Thanks!

08-29-2023, 08:12 AM

ChronicFatigue

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Joined APC: Feb 2022

Posts: 160

Quote:

Originally Posted by triggers

Some people get it as their first assignment.

08-29-2023, 08:13 AM

rickair7777

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Joined APC: Jan 2006

Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim

Posts: 40,050

Try to bid it as a new hire.

If you don't get it, serve out your NB seatlock, then bid WB

That's it. No special screening or need to serve as CA previously.

08-29-2023, 08:18 AM

DarkSideMoon

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Joined APC: Sep 2016

Posts: 1,954

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickair7777

Try to bid it as a new hire.

If you don't get it, serve out your NB seatlock, then bid WB

That's it. No special screening or need to serve as CA previously.

We have no seat lock moving from NB FO to WB FO.

08-29-2023, 08:20 AM

hamsandwich

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Joined APC: Nov 2019

Posts: 157

Quote:

Originally Posted by triggers

Would you need to upgrade from narrowbody first officer to narrowbody captain before moving to widebody first officer?

Thanks!

No. Just like everything in this industry it’s based on seniority. New hires have been getting assigned widebodies day one.

08-29-2023, 08:36 AM

ReadOnly7

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Joined APC: Dec 2019

Posts: 1,337

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickair7777

Try to bid it as a new hire.

If you don't get it, serve out your NB seatlock, then bid WB

That's it. No special screening or need to serve as CA previously.

DON’T bid it as a new hire. Unless you live in base, you’ll be commuting to reserve for years. Bid NB as a new hire, and then you can bid right up to WBFO whenever you choose…as long as we are still running vacancy bids. And that has been a constant for a couple years now.

08-29-2023, 08:39 AM

rickair7777

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Joined APC: Jan 2006

Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim

Posts: 40,050

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkSideMoon

We have no seat lock moving from NB FO to WB FO.

In that case, wait for the next bid.

08-29-2023, 08:53 AM

SF20007

Line Holder

Joined APC: Aug 2023

Posts: 38

How about how long to get WB FO at IAD? I live in DC so no issues sitting reserve. Thanks!

08-29-2023, 09:06 AM

ThumbsUp

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Joined APC: Mar 2018

Posts: 2,501

Quote:

Originally Posted by SF20007

How about how long to get WB FO at IAD? I live in DC so no issues sitting reserve. Thanks!

Current junior man on both fleets was hired a little over a year ago. That could mean nothing moving forward, though.

08-29-2023, 10:12 AM

#10

LAXtoDEN

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Posts: 1,157

Quote:

Originally Posted by triggers

Unless you live in a UA base your question should be how long to hold a WB FO line. There’s a reason WB’s are available to new hires. Two words, global reserve. It was not fixed with your new TA.