Rosters at Majors: partic Continental

[On the Fence]

I'm thinking of emigrating to the US (currently fly for BA). Can anyone tell me what the rosters are like at Majors. For example, do they use a bidline system, how many days do they typically work per month?

I am particularly interested in Continental, so if you have worked there or know someone who does, please reply!

[pilotusa]

I'm thinking of emigrating to the US (currently fly for BA). Can anyone tell me what the rosters are like at Majors. For example, do they use a bidline system, how many days do they typically work per month?

I am particularly interested in Continental, so if you have worked there or know someone who does, please reply!


Just like that, huh?

Just come over, pick a major carrier and turn #1!

[Kenny]

I don't mean to be flipant but this needs to be said... Have you gone bonkers??
The US airline industry is probably in the worst state it's ever been and you want to give up the relative stability of a European Flag Carrier? Don't do it.
I've been here 7 years, it wasn't part of the masterplan but just the way things worked out. I'm apprecative of the opportunities the US has given me, had the chance to fly with some of the best out there but if I had it to do all over again I would've hightailed it back to Oz or the UK.
In my time I've been furloughed, just like thousands of others, and I'm still in the right seat of an RJ at 5000 hours working for $36 an hour.
Stay at BA and you might get to retirement without being furloughed, losing your job or going insane.

[pilotusa]

In all fairness to Fence, I get the impression from reading these message boards that pilots who are not bred within the U.S. aviation scene have no clue that the entire process is different here.

In the U.S. novice pilots usually start with the goal of getting hired by a major U.S. carrier. Every step of progress in our early careers is done with that goal in mind. Once achieved, we are more attached to that particular carrier than we are to our own eye color. This can be a good thing; it can be a very bad thing, also.

With extremely rare exception, no one leaves a position with a major U.S. carrier to start elsewhere, and this is how the U.S. scene differs from the international piloting scene. Reading some of these boards it appears that pilots who go expat to fly will change carriers for a plethora of reasons. It is a workable solution in that realm. Some carriers hire direct entry captains and an experienced pilot can move with impunity from carrier to carrier, country to country, and keep compensation and seats fairly stable. THAT doesn't happen in the U.S. Unless one jumps on with a VERY RARE startup carrier, there are no direct entry captains in the U.S. Every pilots starts at the very bottom of the heap.

You may have 8,000 hours of 747 captain time at BA. When Continental calls it will be for a F/O position behind about 5,000 other pilots on their seniority list. The pay and scheduling (rosters) will be the exact same thing that they offer to 2,000-hour Navajo jockeys who are also looking for work. That will be the only thing offered, and the offer will be exactly the same at Delta, Northwest, Southwest, American, United, USAirways, etc. I have well over 10,000 hours of captain (including wide-body international) time at a major U.S. carrier. If I wanted to work at another U.S. carrier, I would also be offered the bottom F/O position along with the 2,000-hour Navajo jockeys.

There is NO lateral movement for pilots within the airline industry in the United States. And there are no (repeat: NO) D.E.C. positions at major carriers, either. It just does not work that way here.

[flyboyike]

There is NO lateral movement for pilots within the airline industry in the United States. And there are no (repeat: NO) D.E.C. positions at major carriers, either. It just does not work that way here.


The only exception would be if you are some kind of a management pilot (meaning non-union), like an assistant chief of something of that sort. Then you MIGHT get a gig as a DEC, but even then not real likely.

[On the Fence]

Thanks all, good to get your take on the industry. I didn't mean to be presumptious about getting a job. I won't leave BA if I don't get one, and I understand that may be exactly what happens.

My reasoning is that the cost of living in UK is astronomical and the weather is mostly bad. Just thought I'd give it a try; maybe improve my wife's health. Might jack in flying altogether to make this move.

I thought one benefit of flying might be a transferable skill, but I geuss not! Seniority rules in the UK as well, so I am well aware I would go in at the bottom. I'm only five years in at BA as an FO, so now is the only time I could contemplate this.

So I may be an idiot, and this may be an uphill struggle...but I would still like to know "what if...?" So can anyone tell me if CO use bidline and what CAP do they have to reach (or typical days work per month, doesn't matter)

[poydras]

Stay where you are my friend.Actually if you can get me a job over BA.
In the states remember even a Cpt. can be sacked because a gate agent reported him.
Enjoy the semigoverment founded pension, free healthcare, good per diem wage, liquidation fund, 45 days off a year.
Poydras.

[imr]

I believe they are transitioning over to a preferential bidding system.

I'm sure (at least I hope you are) aware that you need to be a legal resident to work in the U.S. That can take some time......it took my family some 10 years to get everything squared away....huge immigration issues going on in this country as we speak.

[Evileyes]

To be very honest, for someone with a decent amount of hours, and 5000 is quite decent, corporate flight ops (part 91 preferably) is probably your best best if considering moving into the US market. There are some good jobs there.

On the other hand, most majors won't be hiring for a very long time or at least not hiring much. American Airlines for instance, has over 2000 pilots on furlough and is yet to recall a single one. Notable exceptions who are still hiring (as of this post) are FEDEX, UPS and Southwest but as can be imagined the competion is stiff.

[fernytickles]

Regardless of your flight time and experience, have you thought about the visa/greencard situation. You will not get a job with the airlines without a greencard, and you can't get a greencard without an employer willing to sponsor you (unless you are eligible to apply for the greencard lottery or are married to an American or someone who has been sponsored for a greencard). With the number of home grown pilots furloughed and jobhunting, the airlines have no interest in sponsoring foreigners.

Do you have any family connections in Canada? The weather can be very cold in the winter in some parts, but at least you get a decent summer. The Pacific coastal area is beautiful. Not sure about the state of the Canadian airlines, but corporate might be an option.

Or how about Netjets - you don't have to live in the UK for them do you?

Good luck, and you could try some of the British expat forums, such as http://www.british-expats.com/ for advice about work permits/visas in various countries.