Making Capt.

eagledriver101

New Member
What types of time-frames are involved with making CA. Say you start at SouthWest Airlines as an FO on a 737, how long would it take to make capt?
 
Depends on...

Depends on the FO? As in efficiency, reliability, performance, experience, all of the above? Is it something you apply for, are chosen for etc… What’s a general synopsis of how its done?
 
Depends on...

Depends on the FO? As in efficiency, reliability, performance, experience, all of the above? Is it something you apply for, are chosen for etc… What’s a general synopsis of how its done?

The search function is your friend.

:)
 
swa is about 5 yrs I believe. But generally, while pay increases, schedule worsens so some will delay upgrade until they can hold a better schedule.
 
"Depends on the FO? As in efficiency, reliability, performance, experience, all of the above?"

Nope. None of those things matter.
 
Depends on...

Depends on the FO? As in efficiency, reliability, performance, experience, all of the above? Is it something you apply for, are chosen for etc… What’s a general synopsis of how its done?

Seniority-based. You 'bid' for it. I can hold captain but chose not to for seniority purposes.

About estimated times varying wildly:

http://forums.jetcareers.com/hot-topic-archive/20846-upgrade-times.html
http://forums.jetcareers.com/hot-topic-archive/20182-upgrade-time-airlines.html
http://forums.jetcareers.com/hot-topic-archive/9028-upgrade-times.html
 
I guess the rule of thumb is that it's 100% guaranteed that it'll either be significantly less or significantly more by the time you get there.

Today's 3 year upgrade is tomorrow's 15 year FO.

Today's 15 year FO seat is tomorrow's 3 year upgrade.

Seriously.
 
I can hold Capt on anything UPS operates. But that's because it all pays the same. Under the traditional system, 747 would be senior, followed by 767. But, UPS, in it's infinate wisdom, decided to forgo the traditional way, as they have in so many things.

Personally, I think this was one of the one's that worked well.....
 
I can hold Capt on anything UPS operates. But that's because it all pays the same. Under the traditional system, 747 would be senior, followed by 767. But, UPS, in it's infinate wisdom, decided to forgo the traditional way, as they have in so many things.

Personally, I think this was one of the one's that worked well.....
Don, I'm curious as to why you haven't moved "up" from the 757/767...
Would it have anything to do with routes?
(I guess according to Airline Pilot Central, UPS only has 10 '47s)
 
Don, I'm curious as to why you haven't moved "up" from the 757/767...
Would it have anything to do with routes?
(I guess according to Airline Pilot Central, UPS only has 10 '47s)

Maybe he's comfortable with his base, and his route along with his hours.

Hell if i was in his position at UPS i'd fly as little as possible and nitpick my schedule. That might not be possible if all of the senior pilots are on the '47 and stuff.
 
Don, I'm curious as to why you haven't moved "up" from the 757/767...
Would it have anything to do with routes?
(I guess according to Airline Pilot Central, UPS only has 10 '47s)

Can't answer for Don as to his reason why but at UPS there is no true "moving up" like at the traditional airlines. Pay is the same so there is no incentive to move to a bigger airframe. Base pay for a B727 Capt is the same as for a B747 Capt minus any international override.

Like Don, I currently could hold a pretty good seniority position on any airplane UPS currently flies but bigger is not necessarily better around these parts. I prefer to fly afternoon turns (out-n-backs) and be home everyday while sleeping in my own bed and watching my daughter grow up. The A300 affords me the best opportunity to do that. The MD11 or B744 would mean loooooong international trips and looong periods of time away from my family.

Having said that, if the B744 ever gets based out of Louisville and not just Anchorage (commuting would be a nightmare:crazy: ) I'll bid it in a New York second only because it's my dream machine to fly before I retire.:drool:

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Senority based, check APC (airlinepilotcentral.com) to see when the most junior CA was hired. There is your essential upgrade time. At least as current as the last kind individual to provide the information.
 
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