Cal 75/76

[DHPFLYN]

So just to make sure I understand. I could bid IAH 737 the next bid I could bid IAH 75/76 if I could hold it. I couldn't go 75/76 IAH to 737 IAH. Did I get that right?

Thanks again

 

[deceptibum]

As with any airline, any bid is only as good as your seniority will allow. Assuming your seniority will allow everything, then yes.....you can always bid UP (737 to 756 to 777, or any type of UP combination) with no delay. However to bid DOWN (777 to 756 to 737, or any type of DOWN combination), that will first require you to complete your 2 year seat lock in current equipment. Hope that helps!

 

[jtm2222]

I was hired March 06 on the 75 and was awarded IAH Dec. 07......

 

[whatitdoing?]

It depends on when you were hired. People that were hired 2 months after me sat reserve 756 in EWR for 6 or so months. I held a line in less than 2 months. My friends that were hired onto the 737 EWR, held a line in 1 or so months. Some guys held 737 IAH out of class, but sat reserve for 6 or so months. IAH is a more senior base. I can hold 756 IAH now after 1 year. If I went to IAH, I'd sit reserve for probably 1 or so more years. This depends obviously how many guys that are senior to me bid 756 IAH. It seems that if you were hired in the beginning or end of the year, you'll hold a line sooner. I'm guessing that has to do with summer slowdown. ie...no one else is getting hired below you.

Ok....bidding. When you're in class, you'll bid a/c type depending on what's offered. You might only have 737 EWR offered. This makes your decision simple. In my class, we had 737 EWR, 737 IAH, and 756 EWR. I bid and "held" 756 EWR. Now, usually twice a year, we have a "system bid". I can't down bid because I'm seat locked from bidding an a/c of lower category. But, I'm NOT seat locked from bidding UP. I can bid 777 EWR, but I can't hold it because of seniority. My friends on the 737 can bid on the "system bid" anytime they want to move to the 756. If there's vacancies and you can hold it, you can bid it. Now, I can finally bid 756 IAH after one year. This is a "system bid" only. I have to wait for the system bids to come out before I can bid. There's ONE EXCEPTION to this. If I have a buddy that's in IAH and sick of the heat, we can "mutual base trade" with each other outside of a "system bid". The base trade is posted for ALL PILOTS to see. The reason is because this effects base seniority. If there's no objections, it will go through. If there is an objection by a fellow pilot, he/she makes it in writing and formally objects. If there's a valid reason, I CAN"T DO IT. Anyhow, you get it?

 

[IAHERJ]

Well, I've been at CAL for just one year now. I can hold 756 IAH, but I'd be on reserve. Granted, when I look in open time...ie (reserves cover these trips for the most part) you'll only see 4 trips for the whole month. But, it's still reserve. In EWR, I held a line in 2 months, but only 12 days off. I don't expect to get more than 12 days off for quite awhile. My friends on the 737 in EWR are hold 16 or so days off right now. I'd say most are staying in EWR to avoid the heat in IAH and reserve. The cost of living is a lot cheaper, but that isn't enough for me to move out there. Also, don't forget about mutual base trades. You can bid with another FO in IAH that wants EWR and if it's not "blocked" you can hold it. There's no time limit and you don't have to wait for the equipment bids.

Funny, a friend hired over a year ago could not get IAH on the 757/767 on the last bid. Maybe the bid prior, but not the last bid. Are you saying people your seniority are flying it out of IAH or you actually held it on the last bid?

 

[whatitdoing?]

Well, I'll look again, but I saw 27 vacancies for IAH 756. There were several M6's and I think M7's holding IAH on the 756. This was the last bid award in January. You might want to ask your friend if he bid correctly.

 

[whatitdoing?]

Well, I looked again and I'm correct. I'm not going to post the pilot's names for obvious reasons, but 1 year FO's are holding 756 IAH. It might be a matter of a few weeks in class dates, but that's what I see. Also, there are some FO's that are at least 5-6 months junior to me that are listed on the IAH 756 staffing, but I think those were mutual base trades. Anyhow, hope it helps......

 

[IAHERJ]

Oh, she did. Of the 27 vacancies. Only 3 came in behind me(2005 hire). Don't know how much junior they went but not far behind me if I recall correctly. Just trying to put into perspective the shift IAH on the 757/767 gets. Some got it within 6 months while some will wait over 12 months to be awarded this. Don't won't someone who really needs/wants to get to IAH to get hired and choose the wrong airplane for his/her situation if given a choice. Not trying to question your statement as you probably aren't even interested in IAH as a base.

IAHERJ

 

[whatitdoing?]

No prob, I just wanted to see if I was looking at it right. I'm interested in IAH, but now with all this merger crap going on, I don't know if moving and buying a house is too smart. I think 05 hires are ok....but 07?? I'm thinking furlough......