LAX or LAS?
Just finished a very productive two day pairing with 18 hours of flight time. It must have been the hectic day before because the coffee for the 0720 a.m check-in wasn't kicking in. I thought for sure I was destined for LAX (Los Angeles) so I initially thought to leave one heavily ladened Jeppeson manual home to lesson the weight of my flight bag. But an inner voice told me to put up with the extra weight. One day, we'll have EFBs (electronic flight bags)...one day.
I get to work well ahead of my F/O so I called up the flight plan (usually an F/O's task). I go over it noting the routing to LAX seemed a little further north than usual. The F/O shows up and I thought he too must be a little tired becuase he mentioned Las Vegas. I snicker to myself, the F/O is getting LAX mixed up with LAS. :)
Finally, he corrects Captain Doug by saying we are going to Vegas not L.A!
I said, "Well then...that does it, you're taking us to Vegas!"
Again luckily I brought all my charts. You're probably asking what would happen if I didn't have my charts? Well I could have downloaded a set from the internet or we have a set of charts for all the airports in our onboard library.
We racked up 9hrs and 30 mins flying from Toronto to Vegas and then to Montreal. To my pleasant surprise the "beer math" added up for us in YUL for a couple of debriefing beverages.
YUL-FLL-YUL-YYZ
Today we headed south to Fort Lauderdale, back to Montreal and cleared customs. Gates were scare so we had to park at a domestic gate and get transported to Canadian customs via a PTV (Passenger Transport Vehicle).
Now back in Toronto with the next three days off. Enough time to recoup from the thousands of calories soon to be consumed from Thanksgiving dinner. The later part of this week will consist of a one day Calgary turn, one day off, a one day Nassau turn and then 12 days off. Sweet.
New hires
I have a few aviation talks later this month plus I must prepare for the Air Canada weather class. New hires will be arriving mid November. Our equipment bid closed and yours truly only moved up by one percent on the A320. My seniority #is 1276 whereas the most junior B767 captain position stopped at 931. I have a ways to go yet.
18 comments:
Las Vegas is awesome ! I have been there 5 times and never get tired of going there.
The last time we were leaving the MCDU screwed up and had to re align on a active taxiway.
Nice picture ! :)
So, what are the most junior captains on the A330s seniority number? And perhaps even the 777?
Again, hope you get there soon!
As Daniel mentioned, good picture =).
HI Daniel. Vegas is a neat spot. Because of the high elevation and frequent hot temperatures it sure is a work out on the brakes.
Do you get a "brakes hot" while taxiing in the sim?
Doug
Edwin. Bottom wrung on the A330 is 519. Bottom wrung on the B777 is 362.
Thanks for the wishes. It will come soon enough... :)
Unfortunately not. The model isn't that complex, although I have seen one being designed that will model it plus literally 99% of the airbus features. The only thing that I get is the poor take off performance.
Captain Doug,
When the B787 comes online will the B777 remain most 'senior' followed by the B787, the A330 and B767? Is AC expected to remove A330s or B767s first when they are replaced by the B787s or is that dependent on individual aircraft leases as well?
Are there a few Captains who have remained senior on the A330 and B767 (iso of bidding the B777) in order to move up to the B787?
Brgds,
YYC Dispatcher
Family onboard AC427 last night says thanks for the early arrival :)
Clear Skies.
YYC Dispatcher
Yes, the B777 will still be the "senior guy" when the Dreamliner comes, because when pay is predicated on weight, it tips the scales as the heaviest.
Actually, the pay for the B787 will be sandwiched between the A330 and the B767.
As far as removing the A330 and B767 that will depend on the delivery dates of the B787, leases (as you mentioned), route structure, the economy, etc.
Lots of variables.
Many pilots remain senior on smaller airplanes for lifestyle. The rule to live by: "stay senior on junior equipment." Interesting to note, the top
five A320 captains are senior enough to hold B777 captain. That's a significant raise, but it proves lifestyle sometimes wins out to money.
But your right...many pilots are "licking their chops" waiting for that illusive 787. I hope it will meet everyone's expectations!
With the delivery dates getting pushed back further and further, things are getting anti-climatic.
Hope this helps!
Doug
Hi Captain Doug, Enjoyed your getting LAX and LAS assignment mixed up.If it makes you feel better many a road warrior have gotten their destinations mixed up. At least you found out before Take Off.
Captain Doug,
Great answer as always, I hope you find your way on to that great airplane someday.
I'm hoping to Dispatch one myself...will be especially interesting to see how efficient on fuel they end up being.
YYC Dispatcher
Find out the seniority number at the bottom of the new hire class next month for us!
S.O.Lukas. Yeah, we flew an A321 from YUL-YYZ with only 70 passengers. I didn't even bother making an announcement especially with 10 "cons."
I met your aunt in the simulator building a month ago. :)
Hi Jim. Glad to see your comment. I've showed up for work planning to go to London, England but was drafted to go to Tokyo, Japan. Sometimes you never know where you may end up. For those "reserve" pilots, it's always wise to pack for a few days. :)
Captain Doug
Aviatrix. The bottom wrung pilot has a seniority number around 3120, but realistically we now have 2900 active pilots. This is because of retirements and LOAs (Leave of absences). Is this what you're asking?
Looks like most new hires will be B767 cruise pilots.
Captain Doug,
I have always enjoyed reading your blog, thanks for the frequent updates! I check back daily.
My question is can an A320 Captain go to the right seat on larger equipment or do you have something in your contract that says once a captain alway a captain? If you could go to say the 777 F/O position would you? Just curious was the lowest 767 and 777 F/O numbers are? Thanks!
Jordan
Jordan. Yes, a 320 captain can go right seat on a larger aircraft. In fact, we had two 320 captains go as a cruise pilot on the B777.
The glitch is, you are frozen for three years. (It used to be four).
I could go F/O on the B777. Two reasons it won't happen. It is slightly less pay and the only way to show up to work is with four stripes. :)
Bottom B777 F/O:1561
Bottom B767 F/): 2385
Captain Doug
P.S Thanks for the feedback!
Thanks for the quick response, just one more question. If you are on reserve can crew sched. have you fill in for a F/O if you agree to it?
Hi Jordan some companies allow a captain to fly right seat but not here at Air Canada.
One must be "right seat" qualified.
Thanks for the questions.
Doug
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