What Aircaft is Best

[too-tall-to-stand]

Good day everyone,

I'm looking for some opinions from those who’ve flown different aircraft. I know that this is subjective, but I’m trying to get a sense of what the pros and cons of the some of the aircraft are.

I’m curious how different fleets compare when it comes to systems and automation, scheduling and overall quality of life, seniority movement, training, and the kind of flying they tend to do. I’m especially interested in any pros, cons, or surprises you noticed after getting on a fleet.

Thanks

[flying4dollars]

Good day everyone,

I'm looking for some opinions from those who’ve flown different aircraft. I know that this is subjective, but I’m trying to get a sense of what the pros and cons of the some of the aircraft are.

I’m curious how different fleets compare when it comes to systems and automation, scheduling and overall quality of life, seniority movement, training, and the kind of flying they tend to do. I’m especially interested in any pros, cons, or surprises you noticed after getting on a fleet.

Thanks

This question is pretty tough to answer. Flying on a specific fleet is always subject to change. Commercial dept handles that metric. Secondly, as you recognized, it's subjective. What do you want your career to look like in the beginning, middle and end? Do you commute? Live on base? Family? What's most important to you? Do you want fast track to command? Do you want to make beds and/or see the world or do you want to cross no more than 3 time zones? Do you prefer short legs or long? Can you sleep on an airplane? What's your health like? Dop you care about the latest and greatest in tech?

The best flying to one could be the worst to another.

[Bede]

I’m curious how different fleets compare when it comes to systems and automation,

This should be your last consideration. A plane is a plane.

scheduling and overall quality of life

This should be your top priority. WB is generally better than NB. Also avoid the fleet that is doing the regional flying, unless, of course, that's the flying that you enjoy. (ie A220)

seniority movement

This is probably inversely related to the priority above. The better the QOL, the less the seniority movement, for obvious reasons.

[crystalpizza]

Rule of thumb at AC is don't choose an airplane because "it flies to xyz city" as that changes all the time, both on the NB and WB side of things.

WB, currently the A330 and 777 are the unproductive eastern transatlantic machines, and the 787 seems to be the airplane to be on especially in YVR. However the opposite was true for YVR two years ago as the 777 was flying to the same amount/more places from YVR as the 87. Will always be subject to change again, and nobody ever really knows, no matter how credible they might sound.

WB FO is probably now a several years wait on all types and bases, and obviously perpetual reserve. RP is generally pretty junior out east but much more senior in YVR (for good reason). 330 and 787 pay similar, 777 pays quite a bit more.

Expect 737 and 320 flying to change dramatically systemwide with the Rouge transition and 321XLR debut coming soon although both have seen reductions recently. 220 has been steadily growing as the new domestic and transborder workhorse, and was always and continues to be the "quick upgrade" airplane.

Airbus is Airbus, 737 is a 737, 777/787 are pretty much the same airplane procedurally and I've heard the 220 is an easy machine to learn. As stated above though that's all secondary over the long term.

[Hysteria]

Airbus is Airbus, 737 is a 737, 777/787 are pretty much the same airplane procedurally and I've heard the 220 is an easy machine to learn. As stated above though that's all secondary over the long term.

2nd or 3rd time hearing this about the 220. Smooth course etc.

[BushCaddy]

Don't ignore the 767. In my opinion it's the best aircraft in the fleet.

Interesting destinations, with some longer layovers, no passengers, pretty light schedule etc...

The only negative I can see as a new hire would be not much actual flying, so it can make it tough to get comfortable with the airplane and AC SOP's. I think I flew something like 180 hours this year.

Pretty much every FO I've flown with got forced onto the 67 in the PIT course and they all seem to love it.

[Arnie Pye]

The one you get paid the most to fly the least.

[Flyboy736]

The one you get paid the most to fly the least.

The problem is that changes.

OP first realize that you probably won't get what you want since not only do you need the aircraft to be available to bid on you need to get lucky enough in the draw to be high enough to hold what you want. That being said my suggestion look at those on each available position and check their seniority level. The one with the least amount of people that are 1000 numbers above you should be the one you bid for. That means the plane is senior so those have the seniority to leave for WB FO or captain will take those few available positions and your list should move faster than being behind a ton of junior guys who can't leave.