2026 PIT FLEET AC

[thepoors]

I'm not sure how you are defining productivity, but a single leg to Tokyo or even San Francisco from yyz is a lot more productive for pilots and the plane then a Jazz pilot doing a Windsor turn then off to Washington.

We also have a lot of productive turns especially in the winter, just because someone junior doing Mexico red eyes doesn't mean someone else isn't getting productive Dominican turn

How do I define productivity? It's pretty easy. Doing a 4 day trip at Jazz worth 23-25 hours where AC pilots are doing 4 day trips with multiple long layovers and for less than 20 credits. Hell, a 20 hour 4 day these days is considered good. I am comparing domestic flying at Jazz to domestic flying at AC. And it's not anywhere close to comparable. I flew 12-13 days at Jazz for often close to 80 hours. I now regularly work 16 days a month for low 70's at AC.

If you're not at AC, which based on your comment makes me think you're not, you have no idea how bad the productivity is at AC. Yes there are lots of good productive turns, but they go to the top 10% and even then many of those pilots are still optimized to 15-16 days a month. Our bidding system is not a true seniority system, there is an optimizer that builds a more global solution. WB is a bit different becuase pretty much everything is fairly productive. That said many WB pilots out east on the 330 and 787 are still working 15-18 days a month.

When you talk about a SF turn vs Windsor and Washington, you are forgetting the biggest factor in overall productivity. Long layovers. That SF flight might be great flight time, but it's a 3 day trip with probably around a 20-25 hour layover. We have no ADG yet, so 3 days you're making maybe 11-12 hours. There's flights from YVR to SFO and LAX that are a single leg down, long layover, single leg back for under 10 hours of credit for 3 days away. Productivity includes layovers and overall time away from base, not just comparing flight times.

See the problem is you are cherry picking again. Half the pairings in the sheet are LAX/SFO 20-25 hr layovers but the other half are close to min rest, something you forgot to mention. If you think that's not true look at the OE pairings they take the gravy flying and explains why you are feeling left out.

You work 16 days a month for low 70s, that again is cherry picking. I wouldn't be surprised if you are on the 220 because that was overstaffed in anticipation of delayed fins. You talk about 20 hrs for 4 days as good in a personal antidote yet if you want mine I average 33 hours over 4 days by doing turns and I'm not in the top 10%. Guys 200 numbers junior to me are working 9 days a month in March which is quite a lot of block holders between him and I.

The other problem I have is people cherry pick the inefficient pairings and ignore the high credit day turns they have been optimized into to make up for those that lack productivity.

You were closer on the required fins then I was. 220/737/320 came out to 22-23 pilots per fin when you simply divide pilots on property vs fins. 330 24 pilots so I don't think the XLR flying is going to increase pilots per fin. The 777 and 787 are 30/33 respectively but with the 787 being overstaffed for last two years I think 30 per fin is more realistic.

I also double checked the Jazz numbers from before the sky regional merger and it was 12 FO and 12 Captain per fin, not total. So 24 per fin seems right in the alley of AC if not slightly more efficient.

Yeah but no one is getting only high credit day turns. That's his point. Even though there are productive pairings that those with seniority should be able to hold, the "optimizer" spreads the shit around so everyone ends up working 16 days. You always end up with at least one unproductive pairing in the block.

[flieslikeachicken]

Had a shower thought and was hoping someone could provide some insight.

Why are people bidding RP in their PIT? What is the benefit other than "flying" a widebody right out of the gate?

[flyingcanuck]

Had a shower thought and was hoping someone could provide some insight.

Why are people bidding RP in their PIT? What is the benefit other than "flying" a widebody right out of the gate?

Flat pay.

Easier lifestyle if you can manage the fatigue, overseas flying, make more on expenses, less scheduling BS, all for the same pay as a NB FO.

[piedpiper]

Had a shower thought and was hoping someone could provide some insight.

Why are people bidding RP in their PIT? What is the benefit other than "flying" a widebody right out of the gate?

You get paid the same regardless, RP is by far the easiest transition into AC. You get a taste of the overseas operation, and for many it's their first time. It gives you a chance to see what you think, and if it's something you're interested in doing more longer term. I know a number of NB FOs that went WB FO and hated it because they had never done overseas. And they regretted making the move. RP gives you that chance to see the operation. You work way less especially if you're in YVR. You get to fly with senior pilots and learn a lot from the Captains who have decades of experience. NB life right now you're getting some of that but a lot of young newer Captains. Not that it's a bad thing, but it's just different.

If I had the chance as a new hire to go 787 or 777 RP (not A330) I'd take that over anything else.

[flieslikeachicken]

Is it true that A330 RP out of YYZ get a lot of pairings that are operating out to Europe and then DH home?

[LongBranch]

Is it true that A330 RP out of YYZ get a lot of pairings that are operating out to Europe and then DH home?

Yes and have fun in economy only captains and first officers get confirmed business class seating on planned DH so have at it.

[flyingcanuck]

Is it true that A330 RP out of YYZ get a lot of pairings that are operating out to Europe and then DH home?

Sometimes, however in the latest contract we now have mirror augment pairings, meaning if you operate one way, you typically operate back with the crew. DH would be typical of a type change on that route.

[piedpiper]

True, that said the 330 does a lot of shorter flights hence my comment. So you'll still be working quite a bit more than the 777/787 and there's no bunk. So if you DO have DH, you're stuck in the back. Crew rest in in a curtained off J seat which is bush league but is what it is.

[Me262]

Is it true that A330 RP out of YYZ get a lot of pairings that are operating out to Europe and then DH home?

Yes and have fun in economy only captains and first officers get confirmed business class seating on planned DH so have at it.

You go to the bunks not economy, which is as good as business. Unless 330. Then you're SOL

[Man_in_the_sky]

Is it true that A330 RP out of YYZ get a lot of pairings that are operating out to Europe and then DH home?

Yes and have fun in economy only captains and first officers get confirmed business class seating on planned DH so have at it.

that was changed on last contract, stop spreading lies. Mirrored Rp, if required one way, they used them both ways now

[piedpiper]

Is it true that A330 RP out of YYZ get a lot of pairings that are operating out to Europe and then DH home?

Yes and have fun in economy only captains and first officers get confirmed business class seating on planned DH so have at it.

that was changed on last contract, stop spreading lies. Mirrored Rp, if required one way, they used them both ways now

When I was RP it was never the overseas flights that were the problem. It was the deadheading within Canada. Constantly between YYZ and YVR. Happens a lot when there's base balancing and you might operate YYZ PVG YVR and then Dh YYZ. And the YVR RP would do the reverse.

[Launchpad1]

Crew rest in in a curtained off J seat which is bush league but is what it is.

I've never used one of the bunks but to be honest the curtained off J seat isn't that bad. It might be worse if it was a longer flight but for going to Europe it's fine.

[Snipergang]

When was it the last time YVR base was offered right out of the gate? Just curious.

[flying4dollars]

When was it the last time YVR base was offered right out of the gate? Just curious.

I want to say around mid 2023

[Snipergang]

When was it the last time YVR base was offered right out of the gate? Just curious.

I want to say around mid 2023

Yeah, my buddy just got hired he interviewed last July and just got the call. Slow process rn.

[flying4dollars]

When was it the last time YVR base was offered right out of the gate? Just curious.

I want to say around mid 2023

Yeah, my buddy just got hired he interviewed last July and just got the call. Slow process rn.

I couldn't tell you how long base transfers will take but its been up and down in the last couple years. In the grand scheme of things it won't be long. Still a decent amount of widebody growth to facilitate a YVR base within 1-3 years of joining.

[piedpiper]

Lots of 737 FO NHs in YYZ waiting to get back to YVR too. All bidding to the A220 with the allowed base move as positions open up due to the 737 being reduced in YVR. Good luck getting a YVR position for at least 2 years unless we start seeing 787 growth which will create a decent knock on effect down the list. But if you come to AC now, expect the worst not the best if you're from out west.

[Old fella]

I want to say around mid 2023

Yeah, my buddy just got hired he interviewed last July and just got the call. Slow process rn.

I couldn't tell you how long base transfers will take but its been up and down in the last couple years. In the grand scheme of things it won't be long. Still a decent amount of widebody growth to facilitate a YVR base within 1-3 years of joining.

Not an airline person , however does AC offer RP positions to new hires. If so, can you stay in that position say on the ‘87, then get to the right seat on same, then eventually left seat on same without having to go to another aircraft type. I imagine that process to the eventual Captain position would be a long wait.

[Sinner]

In the most recent bid (26-01, which ran February 2026) pilots hired Q1 2025 were the most junior additions to the YVR base.

[thepoors]

Yeah, my buddy just got hired he interviewed last July and just got the call. Slow process rn.

I couldn't tell you how long base transfers will take but its been up and down in the last couple years. In the grand scheme of things it won't be long. Still a decent amount of widebody growth to facilitate a YVR base within 1-3 years of joining.

Not an airline person , however does AC offer RP positions to new hires. If so, can you stay in that position say on the ‘87, then get to the right seat on same, then eventually left seat on same without having to go to another aircraft type. I imagine that process to the eventual Captain position would be a long wait.

Yes you could. Probably 3-5 years to go RP to FO. And then 25-30 years to go FO to CA.

[kozak_letun]

Does anyone know if you are seat locked if you get RP in PIT? Can you bid NB FO within 2 years?

[TheStig]

Does anyone know if you are seat locked if you get RP in PIT? Can you bid NB FO within 2 years?

There's always lots of confusion about position freezes.

Positions are grouped. Widebody C, Narrowbody C, WB FO, NB FO, and RP. If you bid to a lower group you are frozen for 36 months in that position, otherwise you are free to bid to a higher groups. Once you start training into a higher rated group you are frozen from bidding within that group or lower for 30 months (from when you are awarded the position).

New hire pilots are frozen for 30 months from bidding into equal or lower grouped positions, with the exception of a one time award to a equal or lower rated position to transfer to a different base, if they do so they then have a new 30 month freeze in that position.

RP is a great place to start because you can bid up to NB FO. Once the 319 position is removed YUL, YYZ and YVR will all have 320,737, and 320 bases. 767FO should be avoided by pilots looking to transfer out of YYZ and 330RP should be avoided for those looking to transfer to YVR. Base transfers are much quicker and easier on the same type than to positions that require training.

[Snipergang]

In the most recent bid (26-01, which ran February 2026) pilots hired Q1 2025 were the most junior additions to the YVR base.

Sorry I misread this, so do you mean that they were hired into YVR?

[cdnavater]

In the most recent bid (26-01, which ran February 2026) pilots hired Q1 2025 were the most junior additions to the YVR base.

Sorry I misread this, so do you mean that they were hired into YVR?

No, a bid that ran early this year awarded YVR to pilots hired early 2025, a year wait plus however long the award date is.
When your dealing with a seniority system, before the company can hire directly to a base, pilots currently on property get their shot at it first

[altiplano]

In the most recent bid (26-01, which ran February 2026) pilots hired Q1 2025 were the most junior additions to the YVR base.

Sorry I misread this, so do you mean that they were hired into YVR?

Nobody is being hired into YVR right now. Base is full, you have to get it on a bid with your seniority, may have to do a course/take a new freeze to do it depending on where the vacancies are.

New hire today is about s/n 6000
In YVR -
Junior NB FOs are almost s/n 5500
Junior RPs are around s/n 5400