IAH reserve survival guide
08-16-2024, 03:44 AM
#111
off weekends (if Reserve)
Joined APC: May 2023
Posts: 331
Since there's been little activity on this thread for the past month, I'm going to hijack it with a similar question to the original post (instead of creating a new thread):
If I plan to live near Denver and have to commute from Denver until I can hold it as my base, what would be the ideal place to commute to? It looks like ORD, IAH, and SFO are all nearly equal in commute times, while EWR is about an hour further away. The main challenge will be that Denver being our training hub, all the other pilots at other domiciles will have positive space going to Denver...which you will not. Commuting on probation will be the biggest hurdle for you.
Objective for you get to DEN as soon as possible, then 2nd would be to go to a domicile where you can get a line. The September forecast has ORD 737 FO as the most junior guaranteed line holder but the numbers are also very low for IAH both 737 and 320 as well as SFO both fleets and EWR 737.
ORD is served by more carriers than just UAL out of DEN (think jumpseat). Crashpads and hotels generally speaking will be more affordable in ORD versus SFO.
Id recommend staying away from EWR if you can, as right now the brilliant idea of moving EWR TRACON to Philadelphia has spawned numerous ground stops resulting in long delays and multiple cancellations and I suspect this will likely continue for the foreseeable future and really making commuting to the Brick City very problematic.
Also, how long is probation? Completion of 12 bid months and 165 days worked (basically a Year from DOH......provided you don't go on any mil leaves or Maternity/paternity leaves.) Don't worry if you are on reserve and they don't call you that's a day worked, same with any training.
Thanks!
If I plan to live near Denver and have to commute from Denver until I can hold it as my base, what would be the ideal place to commute to? It looks like ORD, IAH, and SFO are all nearly equal in commute times, while EWR is about an hour further away. The main challenge will be that Denver being our training hub, all the other pilots at other domiciles will have positive space going to Denver...which you will not. Commuting on probation will be the biggest hurdle for you.
Objective for you get to DEN as soon as possible, then 2nd would be to go to a domicile where you can get a line. The September forecast has ORD 737 FO as the most junior guaranteed line holder but the numbers are also very low for IAH both 737 and 320 as well as SFO both fleets and EWR 737.
ORD is served by more carriers than just UAL out of DEN (think jumpseat). Crashpads and hotels generally speaking will be more affordable in ORD versus SFO.
Id recommend staying away from EWR if you can, as right now the brilliant idea of moving EWR TRACON to Philadelphia has spawned numerous ground stops resulting in long delays and multiple cancellations and I suspect this will likely continue for the foreseeable future and really making commuting to the Brick City very problematic.
Also, how long is probation? Completion of 12 bid months and 165 days worked (basically a Year from DOH......provided you don't go on any mil leaves or Maternity/paternity leaves.) Don't worry if you are on reserve and they don't call you that's a day worked, same with any training.
Thanks!
08-16-2024, 05:01 AM
#112
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2014
Posts: 725
If possible, I'd take LAX over SFO commute, and IAD over EWR. Those two are junior but blow up for weather too unpredictably for my comfort. Although there are co-terminals, the vast majority of (737) operations are from the main base, and reserves are afforded extra time if needed to get to outstations. Would not rule out LAS either.
08-16-2024, 05:42 AM
#113
Line Holder
Joined APC: Dec 2021
Posts: 47
I was hoping for IAH (737 first due to seniority progression and flying, but 320 would work too). Seemed like every drop before August was very IAH 737 heavy, now the last 2 have had 0.
How long before a new hire could get there if in the indoc drop? Based on indoc and fleet training time, is there pretty much guaranteed to be a base bid during that time? New to all this, thank you in advance!
How long before a new hire could get there if in the indoc drop? Based on indoc and fleet training time, is there pretty much guaranteed to be a base bid during that time? New to all this, thank you in advance!
08-16-2024, 06:07 AM
#114
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2015
Posts: 2,524
Since there's been little activity on this thread for the past month, I'm going to hijack it with a similar question to the original post (instead of creating a new thread):
If I plan to live near Denver and have to commute from Denver until I can hold it as my base, what would be the ideal place to commute to? It looks like ORD, IAH, and SFO are all nearly equal in commute times, while EWR is about an hour further away.
Also, how long is probation?
Thanks!
If I plan to live near Denver and have to commute from Denver until I can hold it as my base, what would be the ideal place to commute to? It looks like ORD, IAH, and SFO are all nearly equal in commute times, while EWR is about an hour further away.
Also, how long is probation?
Thanks!
-12 Bid Periods of service as a pilot for the company and having performed 165 days of work for company, or until they commence Captain upgrade training.
08-16-2024, 08:27 AM
#115
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2015
Position: 777FO
Posts: 767
If possible, I'd take LAX over SFO commute, and IAD over EWR. Those two are junior but blow up for weather too unpredictably for my comfort. Although there are co-terminals, the vast majority of (737) operations are from the main base, and reserves are afforded extra time if needed to get to outstations. Would not rule out LAS either.
08-16-2024, 08:28 AM
#116
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2021
Posts: 695
I was hoping for IAH (737 first due to seniority progression and flying, but 320 would work too). Seemed like every drop before August was very IAH 737 heavy, now the last 2 have had 0.
How long before a new hire could get there if in the indoc drop? Based on indoc and fleet training time, is there pretty much guaranteed to be a base bid during that time? New to all this, thank you in advance!
How long before a new hire could get there if in the indoc drop? Based on indoc and fleet training time, is there pretty much guaranteed to be a base bid during that time? New to all this, thank you in advance!
08-19-2024, 07:06 AM
#118
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2017
Posts: 188
Since there's been little activity on this thread for the past month, I'm going to hijack it with a similar question to the original post (instead of creating a new thread):
If I plan to live near Denver and have to commute from Denver until I can hold it as my base, what would be the ideal place to commute to? It looks like ORD, IAH, and SFO are all nearly equal in commute times, while EWR is about an hour further away.
Also, how long is probation?
Thanks!
If I plan to live near Denver and have to commute from Denver until I can hold it as my base, what would be the ideal place to commute to? It looks like ORD, IAH, and SFO are all nearly equal in commute times, while EWR is about an hour further away.
Also, how long is probation?
Thanks!
Also, don't commute to EWR... you're welcome.
08-19-2024, 09:02 AM
#119
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2022
Position: Desk-130
Posts: 101
To second what 11atsomto said, hub to hub commutes to or from DEN are difficult due to lots of positive space training travel and last minute listings. I did the commute SFO-DEN and it was not fun, but I made it work. If you can't get LAX I would suggest ORD given the fact that there will be more flights on other carriers as options compared to the other bases. And on United there are often WB aircraft DEN-ORD which increases the chances of seats in my experience (i.e. there tends to be at least a few no-shows or misconnects given the large numbers).
Also, don't commute to EWR... you're welcome.
Also, don't commute to EWR... you're welcome.
From what I gather, for best commute to DEN:
LAX
ORD
IAH
SFO
-Anything else-
EWR
08-19-2024, 09:37 AM
#120
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2010
Position: N/A
Posts: 607
Awesome, thanks! I hadn't heard many people getting LAX out of the schoolhouse, so I hadn't considered it. Good info on ORD that I hadn't thought of. I've heard people say it's not a great airport, but I have nothing to compare it to. So, between ORD and IAH, you would recommend ORD?
From what I gather, for best commute to DEN:
LAX
ORD
IAH
SFO
-Anything else-
EWR
From what I gather, for best commute to DEN:
LAX
ORD
IAH
SFO
-Anything else-
EWR
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