Macmac76 From United States of America, joined Sep 2000, 234 posts, RR: 0 Posted (9 years 3 months 3 weeks 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 1630 times:
Question on AS's pilots...are they divided into two groups? Pilots qualified only to fly the 737's, and those qualified to fly only the MD80's? Or are ALL pilots type rated to fly both 737s and MD80s? Thank you in advance!
SlamClick From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 10062 posts, RR: 71 Reply 1, posted (9 years 3 months 3 weeks 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 1567 times:
I am not an AS pilot but I can offer some generalities that are without a doubt, correct for AS as well.
Current qualification is more important than a type rating. So it is possible that some pilots may be typed on two or more of an airline's fleet. But that does not mean that they may fly them. One must be currently qualified under that airline's training program to fly a given airplane. No one at any major airline jumps back and forth between two or more different types.
We bid for our work position, according to our seniority. Bases, like ANC, SEA or LAX would be one way to bid. Types, like B-737, MD-80 would be another and the seat, captain or first officer is the final divide. For example you might be able to hold captain on lower-paying equipment or at a less desirable base sooner. On the other hand, if you don't live at your crewbase you may prefer to be the number two first officer and get commutable lines over being a reserve captain and having to spend all your time at a crashpad in your base.
Whatever bid you are awarded, that is what you fly. If a company was all out of MD-80 captains they would cancel flights because they cannot put a B-737 pilot in an MD-80 just because he has the type rating.
Even if the FAA would permit a company to allow its pilots to keep current on two types, the training cost would just not make it worthwhile - safety issues aside.
Happiness is not seeing another trite Ste. Maarten photo all week long.
Rydawg82 From United States of America, joined Sep 2001, 818 posts, RR: 9 Reply 2, posted (9 years 3 months 3 weeks 7 hours ago) and read 1434 times:
At Alaska the pilot groups are of course by base (ANC SEA LAX), and by type. You have your Mad Dog (MD83) drivers, 737-200 combi drivers, and then your 737-400/700/900 guys. So three city bases, and three fleet bases.
Hope this helps,
-R
You can take the pup out of Alaska, but you can't take the Alaska out of the pup.
Doug_or From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 3158 posts, RR: 4 Reply 3, posted (9 years 3 months 2 weeks 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 1337 times:
I believe the breakdown is
LAX-737-4/7/9
SEA- MD-80, 737-4/7/9
ANC- 737-200 (737-4/7/9?)
I know that MD-80 pilots used to be based in LAX too, untill recently. I'm not sure if all 737-4/7 drivers are qualified to fly the -900.
N743AS From United States of America, joined Aug 2000, 123 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (9 years 3 months 2 weeks 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 1411 times:
SEA is a 737-400/NG & MD80 base. ANC is the 737-200 base and LAX is a 737-400/NG base. If you are rated in the 737-400 you fly the all NG's in addition.
So I'm SEA based and fly the 737-400/700/900
-743AS
If the airplane is one piece, don't cheat on it...ride the bastard down! -Ernest K. Ghann
Sponsor Message: 
From United States of America, joined Sep 2000, 234 posts, 
Sponsor Message: 
Printer friendly format
