NCA info
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: NC
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General picture is understaffed, overworked and no end in sight.
10 guaranteed days off a month. Many pilots average more, 12-14, but it often seems the company plays favorites with who gets them. Some pilots only get 10, and commute on off days.
90 hours max in a calendar month, not rolling. Just spoke with a captain who is flying 165 hours between June 15th and July 15th. That's outta control.
Most pilots are great guys to fly with, even better to grab a beverage with.
Very close knit, everyone knows each other.
Upgrade is currently looking like forever. No growth planned. Two pilots are currently in upgrade, they have been on property over nine years. Next upgrades will be on property over 10. For a new hire, I'd seriously say 20 wouldn't be unreasonable, but I'd plan 15.
Pay hasn't changed in 15+ years. Per diem hasn't been changed in decades and is industry low. Commute allowance is based on 1995 airfares. This year we were told it would not be changed and is not a priority.
General frustration reigns.
That said, still a decent place to work. Airplanes are clean, no MELs, layovers are okay.
10 guaranteed days off a month. Many pilots average more, 12-14, but it often seems the company plays favorites with who gets them. Some pilots only get 10, and commute on off days.
90 hours max in a calendar month, not rolling. Just spoke with a captain who is flying 165 hours between June 15th and July 15th. That's outta control.
Most pilots are great guys to fly with, even better to grab a beverage with.
Very close knit, everyone knows each other.
Upgrade is currently looking like forever. No growth planned. Two pilots are currently in upgrade, they have been on property over nine years. Next upgrades will be on property over 10. For a new hire, I'd seriously say 20 wouldn't be unreasonable, but I'd plan 15.
Pay hasn't changed in 15+ years. Per diem hasn't been changed in decades and is industry low. Commute allowance is based on 1995 airfares. This year we were told it would not be changed and is not a priority.
General frustration reigns.
That said, still a decent place to work. Airplanes are clean, no MELs, layovers are okay.
Join Date: Apr 2008
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Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: On the road
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165 hours inside a rolling 30 days?! That's just not safe if not operationally then definitely for your health beyond retirement. Especially long haul with jet lag. I'd be looking fast for another job. I'm long haul freight and 90 hours in any 30 days frazzles me. Que someone being along dancing to to the usual pprune tune defending it. Pilots eh? Management's wet dream 
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Join Date: Mar 2007
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NCA roster?
Hello,
I am also interested in NCA. I have read all your comments and apparently roster looks a little bit heavy. Anyone could put an example of how is the roster organised? Groups of working days, days off, etc... Just to make me an idea about how this could be along the months and trying to deal with commuting.
Besides that, what do you say about the 6-8 months of training? Looks quite long.
Thank you in advance
I am also interested in NCA. I have read all your comments and apparently roster looks a little bit heavy. Anyone could put an example of how is the roster organised? Groups of working days, days off, etc... Just to make me an idea about how this could be along the months and trying to deal with commuting.
Besides that, what do you say about the 6-8 months of training? Looks quite long.
Thank you in advance
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: NC
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You bid 10 days off each month by the 8th of the preceding month. You can bid 10 days in a row or split in 5/5, 6/4, 7/3. Many pilots do what works for them. Guys that commute farther usually bid 10 in a row. Schedules are posted the 25th of the month. This is later than we would like and makes buying airfare more expensive if your trip begins, say, August 3rd. Sucks.
The training is long and much more likely to be 8 months than 6. It can be fun of you have a cool class. Lots of going out together etc. Further, you will meet almost every NCA pilot during your time in training in the hotel restaurant. It is, however, a LONG time and it can get frustrating. The food gets old, the hotel gym kinda sucks, and the hotel isn't near anything. That said, I mostly enjoyed it.
The training is long and much more likely to be 8 months than 6. It can be fun of you have a cool class. Lots of going out together etc. Further, you will meet almost every NCA pilot during your time in training in the hotel restaurant. It is, however, a LONG time and it can get frustrating. The food gets old, the hotel gym kinda sucks, and the hotel isn't near anything. That said, I mostly enjoyed it.
Join Date: Nov 2013
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''Just spoke with a captain who is flying 165 hours between June 15th and July 15th.''
It would be nice to be at work from June 15-July 15, time out end of June (80-90h) and then do fk all until July 15 when your days off start. Not saying it's right but you do fly a lot if you work back to back. And as a capt he should know better. Some guys do back to back so they can have long periods off at home.
FYI, 1 year 649h flight, 121h deadhead, that's really 10 months of work since you can have 2 periods of 32 days OFF, combining days off and annual leave.
It would be nice to be at work from June 15-July 15, time out end of June (80-90h) and then do fk all until July 15 when your days off start. Not saying it's right but you do fly a lot if you work back to back. And as a capt he should know better. Some guys do back to back so they can have long periods off at home.
FYI, 1 year 649h flight, 121h deadhead, that's really 10 months of work since you can have 2 periods of 32 days OFF, combining days off and annual leave.
Last edited by nrtflyby; 2nd Aug 2015 at 16:52.
