Typical day of TSA line pilot

[snoopy_1]

Been flying freight for the past 4 years, how long is a typical day for a pilot holding a line at Trans States?

Thanks very much.

 

[WhiteCloud]

It's been a while so things may have changed. I doubt it though. Lots of uncommutable lines and 3 hours sits (so they could use you as unofficial airport reserve). Many long days with low flight hours. Also many short days with little flying. Hardly makes it worth coming to the airport. Maybe they stopped that since those were the days they got a lot of sick calls. Very few "normal" 8-10 hour days with 6 hours of flying. Some of the lines were not too bad but I wasn't very high up on the seniority ladder when I moved on so I didn't get those. Like most places, after you've been there a while it gets better.

 

[phishn@daves]

Actually it really depends on what code-share you are flying under for that trip!

I just finished a 4 day trip that was blocked at 25:51 and we actually flew closer to 27 hours! First two overnights were fairly short, around 9-10 hours, last night was 16 hours. during the trip we had 2, 3 hour sits in STL. I have never been called during my 3 yrs here for any type of reserve duty during these sits. Now this trip was under American connection.

Most American trips are go, go, go! Long days, decent overnights and more days off!

US Airways express, has more long sits between flights. You may sit an hour or more in Pit between legs. You may also be looking at 4-5 hours of flying and then a 16-18 hour overnight!

United Trips are pretty much like American, but longer overnights, we do ORD for 24 hours, but I think it's because they want to keep you legal, I can see that 24 hours go down by 4 or 5 hours just from sitting in the penalty box in ORD a few timew during the day!

Basically all three code shares you will be on duty on average 8-12 hours. Some days it just one leg straight to the overnight, other days its 4-6 legs, but they give you plenty of rest. I'll admit the schedules were better when we had Pref-Bid, but they are slowly starting to improve as we get more pilots on line. We have been really short for the past 4 months with all the new planes coming and no one to fly them!

Good luck, hope this helps!

 

[POKEY]

If you are on the 41 its a bit different. ALL overnight are 9hrs with the exception of Sat. All the show times are between 5:00 and 5:45am. You have a 2-3 hr break every morning and on days 2 & 3 of most trips you are on duty for 12-14hrs. Pray for the jet if you are a newhire.

 

[njcapt]

If you are on the 41 its a bit different. ALL overnight are 9hrs with the exception of Sat. All the show times are between 5:00 and 5:45am. You have a 2-3 hr break every morning and on days 2 & 3 of most trips you are on duty for 12-14hrs. Pray for the jet if you are a newhire.

Dang. Sounds like things haven't changed since I was working for Hulas at UFS. 13-14 hour duty days with scheduled reduced rest every other night. We prayed for a CWA overnight so we could have a couple of beers and get a decent night's sleep. Many 3-4 hour sits if your trip didn't perfectly dovetail with the aircraft line of flying.

 

[g159av8tor]

Thank you sir, may I have another?!!? Thank you sir, may I have another?!!? Thank you sir, may I have another?!!? Thank you sir, may I have another?!!? Thank you sir, may I have another?!!? Thank you sir, may I have another?!!? Thank you sir, may I have another?!!? Thank you sir, may I have another?!!?

Tailwinds...

 

[cocknbull]

Since the last post did not help you out much, I will try to give you my perspective.

Reserve time in the jet in Richmond is anywhere from 0 to 2 months depending on your class seniority. As a line holder you will get 85 to 95 hour lines with 12 to 15 days off. I finished IOE in mid Jan. and I got a great line this month with 14 days off. Most lines are commutable either on day one or the last day, but almost never both because the last flight out of RIC is at 20:30. That is not TSAs fault. All of the Richmond captains are great to fly and hang out with. I havn't flown with any of the STL capatians, but apparently your not allowed to bid back to STL untill your old and boring. Contract is old, but still average. It is up in mid 2006, and I expect it will be a big improvement. I hope that helps.

 

[waterski]

Son you need to come and play with us in the MIDWEST then
you can tell me whos old and boring..

Marcos, EMB 145 STL

 

[cocknbull]

"Son"

Hmmmmm, I don't think so. Actually when I was in training I had alot of fun with the STL boys. It is just a joke we in RIC use to try to get good guys and gals to stay. Alot of good people from my class have already left the rebel outpost for STL. I might not see them again.

Erik, EMB 145 RIC

 

[waterski]

Just kiding , I used to be JFK,BWI,RIC base so I consider myself East coast by hart. Happy Landings.

 

[FlyForFood_NOT]

cocknbull

what class were you in if you finished IOE mid jan? Sometime in November ?

 

[snoopy_1]

Thanks for the information.

 

[cocknbull]

FlyForFood_NOT

Your time frame is right on.

 

[FlyForFood_NOT]

yeah, I knew it was you

wazzap dog!

 

[cocknbull]

Darn, my secret cover is blown. I can't remember who in our class flew the otter. Wait are you from Jersey?

 

[FlyForFood_NOT]

**CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** it
I should've deleted that whole profile in the first place...

Anyways, you've missed a good party on tuesday at the pad.

stay out of trouble!
later

 

[incubus]

basically the jet has high time lines with a fair amount of days off. the props have low time lines with minimum days off (11).

 

[smokey999]

Does anybody from TSA have a good idea or educated opinion on the f/o vacancies coming up for the April class? I would think there would be quite a bit more jet spots. I'm just looking at the number of people that have been assigned the prop in the last year, who are seat locked.

 

[210FR8DOG]

Smokey, I am guessing that you're right, more jet spots for the April class. The last 3 classes(starting with mine) had roughly 15 J41 FO's, totaling 45 for the 3 classes. Since all the new planes coming are jets, they should be stocked up on 41 FO's. However, there is a fairly steady stream of 41 Captains going to the jet, so depending on that #, they must be replaced with 41 upgrades and then newhire 41 FO's at the bottom. Confused? Me too. Just come on over, they both pay the same and I need the seniority!! Good luck.

 

[smokey999]

"upgrades in a year" It looks like there would have to be a lot more growth than is already planned. I have no 121 or jet time, but am still holding out for the jet. If I get the prop, I guess I'll have to deal with the longer hours and less pay, but would still be happier then where I'm at now.