What is the typcial schedule for years 1-3 at any major or cargo carrier

[GenericPilot]

Can anybody pass on a typical schedule for new hires and even more experienced F/Os at the majors.

Specifically, how many weekends and holidays can one expect as a junior pilot.

 

[Saabslime]

Well, it's going go depend on where you get hired and how much attrition/growth is happening. I've been at the "new U.S. Airways" for a little over three years and on reserve the whole time (not by choice). I've never had a major holiday off and I'm able to hold maybe one weekend a month. Typically I'll "fly" Thurs - Sunday or Monday.

 

[FatesPawn]

Can anybody pass on a typical schedule for new hires and even more experienced F/Os at the majors.

Specifically, how many weekends and holidays can one expect as a junior pilot.

Just figure your weekends and holidays will be spoken for until you're in the upper 50% of your chosen base/position. Ask someone in that position today how long it took him or her to get there, and you'll have your tea leaves.

There are always tradeoffs that can get you better schedule or better pay.

Some choose to remain on reserve longer in order to get holidays and weekends off. Some choose to do less productive longer trips for the same reason.

I can tell you at Southwest, you'll average 17 days off (once off reserve) and expect to work the weekends for at least a year or 2 depending on your domicile. If you want a SENIOR domicile expect longer.

But unless you have a more specific airline/domicile/equipment, that about the best info you can expect.

-fate

 

[mynameisjim]

I heard that at first just get paid to sit at home and not work, then after a few years of that, upgrade to captain on the 727 and get all the Tang(R) you want. Also you make $100k your first year and top out at $300k.

Its like that at pretty much every major airline I've ever heard of

 

[145BOSS]

A am a Newark based 737 FO and was hired in November of 2006. I am bidding about 60% in base and am getting about half weekends off with anywhere from 14 to 16 days off a month, except for this month where I had training. I have yet to bid for a major holiday, but am planning on working them all. By next summer I will be top 40% in base and should be able to hold nearly every weekend off.

 

[swaflyguy]

It all depends.. I've been at SWA for 8 years and have never had to work over christmas, thanksgiving or new years. It all depends on when the holidays are. If they fall in the middle of the week you may not have to work the vacation because some guys don't want to work weekends all month for that one day. I've just been lucky.

As far as weekends are concerned, I bid PM reserve for two years and was working Sun, mon, tue, and sometimes wed after about 6-8 months. I did that until I could hold Sun, Mon, Tue PM lines. By year 3 I could hold weekends off with a 3 on 4 off line.

Again it all depends on hiring and timing. Disclaimer. Your results may vary and are dependent upon many other factors.

 

[michael707767]

as others have said, some of it depends on hiring and growth. But a lot of it is up to you. If you are willing to stay on something junior, say the MD88 right seat at Delta, you will move up to a decent line and holidays off fairly quick. But if you jump off to the 767, you will be on reserve a lot longer and it will be many years before you can hold the holidays off.

It always fascinates me how guys who move up to be junior on bigger equipment love the fact that they are a 767 or 7ER FO....right up until the holiday season. Then they bitch and moan and complain about how junior they are.

 

[propjob27]

I think this post is almost impossble to answer. It's really up to the individual pilot, within the confines of his company, aircraft, base, and senority.

I'm on airline #5, 2 commuters, 1 "major", 1 legacy, and 1 cargo and I don't think there is a "typical" schedule.

Just make the best of it.

 

[Captain X]

1st year. Reserve. It sucks.

2nd year. Hold crappy line. It sucks.

3rd year. Hold better line. Starting not to suck so much.

4th year. Upgrade to Captain. Go back on reserve. It sucks.

:laugh:

Seriously though, after 1 year at CAL, I was on reserve for about 5 weeks (understand this is b/c our PBS system builds all available flying into lines).

For a few months I had 14-16 days off (min is 12). Then the majority of them have been 12 day off, 85+ hour lines.

Have held one line with every weekend off -- I think it was a fluke. The rest have had 1 or 2 full weekends off.

Flew Christmas, New Years, and every holiday since except for Memorial Day.

 

[Whine Lover]

Heck....Why not just ask:

"What are the Secrets of the Universe and Why are we all here?


Smoke a Doobie and Fuggedaboudit.....

YKW

 

[GuppyWN]

Bottom gear jerker at SWA gets 15 days off a month.

Gup

 

[GenericPilot]

Thanks Everyone

Thanks for the idea of what to expect at the majors. QOL is a major issue for my family and it is good to know the real story about the schedule. 18 days a month off doesn't do me any good if I am continuously working weekends/holidays. I'll be commuting for at least 10 years so weekends and holidays are pretty important (much more than the pay), especially in the short term.