When do you find out what hub you will be in?

taseal said:
I was talking to a pilot today and she told me that she has interviews for skywest, horizon etc. I told her, 'thats good, at least they aren't like Eagle where they tell you nothing about your hub or what you will be flying about a week into your training.' She responded with 'uhhh, actually, thats how all airliners do it". She gave me a weird look and just tried to make a fool of me in front of the other instructors... I just said, oh ok and kinda walked it off. Was a bit pissed, but whatever.

I thought you were informed at most airliners what you will be flying and where your hub will be either before training or at interview so you can decide? I didn't know they were all like Eagle where you are told while training, and already have the contract signed?
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Because domicile is always (open to descriptions of situations where it is not) decided by seniority (and equipment) the company can't tell you where you'll be based until at least day one - because they need to know your seniority and they won't know that until they see who turns up and can use whatever arcane scenario they use to determine seniority for people with the same start date. So, as a warning, don't be a day late for training, that can determine all sorts of things.

"Most" airlines assign equipment according to need. Within that criteria "some" airlines allow you to choose. I understand Eagle puts the equipment openings up and people choose based on seniority. So if there are 3 ATR slots, and 3 people senior to you choose the ATR you're out of luck. Some airlines allow you to express a preference but then assign equipment in a smoke filled room somewhere. Whatever situation they choose they can't assign equipment until everybody arrives because they don't know who will turn up and who won't bother. Some airlines you get called for an equipment class and it's that equipment or bust.

Good luck - nobody understands the internals of how airlines and their pilot interact until you've been there - the person who you were talking to probably learned all their extensive information the previous day and it made them feel superior to try it out on you.
 
When they give the options do you have to decide that day, or can you think about it? Might be nice to discuss options with SO.
 
At both carriers we were given a 'wish list'. At "Regional Brand X" we more or less knew off the bat. At "Major Airline Brand Y" we were given a list of airplanes and bases and would rank order them.

I think it really all depends.
 
ComplexHiAv8r said:
When they give the options do you have to decide that day, or can you think about it? Might be nice to discuss options with SO.
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IFF there's a decision you generally have to make it then and there.

My advice is to have made all the decisions and covered the options and had the SO discussions before you go to training. It's not difficult to get the scoop on what the bases are, what equipment is where and what the "seniority status" of a base is - so you can rough out a game plan before you go to training.
 
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