I get into that Flightradar 24 web site(probably nothing better to do on winter nights) and set filters for Air Canada and I often wonder if the long haul divers have preferences on what they want to stay on as they progress in age. Is there more money on a B777 vs a '67 or A330 even though (what appears to me) these aircraft types appear to be heading to same places especially from YYZ/YUL etc. Do pilots say mid/late 50's who are on the 767 or 330 tend to stay with that aircraft because comfortable with it and don't want the bother of converting to another type. I know there may be plenty of variables - seniority, personal lifestyle, but pardon what may be a silly question - what's the difference in a 330 vs '67 when both go same places.......
PS long nite here, its stormy and leafs handed the habs their asses...........
Old fella wrote:I get into that Flightradar 24 web site(probably nothing better to do on winter nights) and set filters for Air Canada and I often wonder if the long haul divers have preferences on what they want to stay on as they progress in age. Is there more money on a B777 vs a '67 or A330 even though (what appears to me) these aircraft types appear to be heading to same places especially from YYZ/YUL etc. Do pilots say mid/late 50's who are on the 767 or 330 tend to stay with that aircraft because comfortable with it and don't want the bother of converting to another type. I know there may be plenty of variables - seniority, personal lifestyle, but pardon what may be a silly question - what's the difference in a 330 vs '67 when both go same places.......
PS long nite here, its stormy and leafs handed the habs their asses...........
Hey Old fella,
Everyone has their personal reasons. Some of the airlines most senior pilots fly the A320 so they can be home every night, but in general the most senior pilots are widebody Captains. The 'benefit' (or retirement income) formula used in the DB pension plan utilizes a pilots' best 60 months income as one of the metrics used. So if a pilot wishes to maximize their pension, they have to maximize their paycheques. End loaded career earning and defined Benefit pension plans go hand in hand because of this set up.
Thanks Stig...........Understand the DB pension issue(as that is what I get), appears the B777 is the place to be judging from the matrix posted earlier. Another question if you don't mind. I know seniority is governing on destinations/routes but can he/she(assuming their seniority is high) just do Europe trips however long assignments are given(per month isn't it). Then following month do South America only if so desired. Can he/she not do any Pacific/Asia flying at all if they don't like that area........
Old fella wrote:Thanks Stig...........Understand the DB pension issue(as that is what I get), appears the B777 is the place to be judging from the matrix posted earlier. Another question if you don't mind. I know seniority is governing on destinations/routes but can he/she(assuming their seniority is high) just do Europe trips however long assignments are given(per month isn't it). Then following month do South America only if so desired. Can he/she not do any Pacific/Asia flying at all if they don't like that area........
The monthly bidding options have more filters than you can possibly imagine. A pilot can bid to avoid certain cities, fly to certain destinations, operate certain flights, fly to specific regions (ie South America, Asia, Florida, etc), fly at a certain time of the day (or night) or avoid certain times of the day, or a certain time of a specific day, even avoid flying with a specific Captain…I could go on.
cpt.sam wrote:2 quick questions
1 - Over seas
Is this duty hours spend away from North America, or flight hours to from other continent?
2 - Nav Aid
WTF?
1..Overseas pay is just a premium paid for flight hours on flights to Europe, Asia, South America, and the Outer Caribbean.
2..Nav Aid pay is a premium that started a long time ago (at least 35 years ago). I think it was brought in about the same time that navigators were phased out. It has just stayed in the pay formula. It doesn't really apply to any extraordinary navigation skills. It could be called anything now. It's just a premium that has stayed with us.