Pilot rotations at real airlines

[Guest Marc Sykes]

I know there are several folks on here who work for Delta, Northwest, United, and so on, so maybe they can answer my question.What I'm wondering about is, essentially, a typical pilot's schedule on (let's say) a weekly/monthly basis. How many days on duty in a row? How many days off in a row? How many flights per day? What would be a typical "trip" in terms of destinations?For example, at my VA lately I've been flying the A319 and A320 out of LAX. My last flight left LAX at 7:10 Pacific, landed at DFW at 11:51 Central (so 2 hrs 41 min gate to gate), took off from DFW at 13:00, landed in Memphis at 14:10 (1 hr 10 min gate to gate). At that point, for a typical Airbus pilot, would that be it for the day? Or would you have enough hours left in a duty day to return to LAX following the same route? Or fly someplace else?If not, presumably you would stay in Memphis then what for the next day? Back to LAX, or somewhere else? How many days would the typical pilot stay out on a "trip" before returning home?I know that the answers to this question depend heavily on the aircraft, the airline's practices, and probably other factors. I'm sure, for example, that RJ pilots could probably do several back-and-forth trips per day and might never need to stay anyplace else overnight, whereas 747 or 777 pilots probably only do one flight per day since their flights last 10-12 hours, thus requiring a lot more layovers. If anything, like I said above, I'm most curious about those in the middle--the guys flying the 737, A320, 757, etc..Thanks for any help you can provide, or any websites or external resources to which you can direct me!!Regards,Marc Sykes

[Guest]

>I know there are several folks on here who work for Delta,>Northwest, United, and so on, so maybe they can answer my>question.>>What I'm wondering about is, essentially, a typical pilot's>schedule on (let's say) a weekly/monthly basis. How many days>on duty in a row? How many days off in a row? How many>flights per day? What would be a typical "trip" in terms of>destinations?>>For example, at my VA lately I've been flying the A319 and>A320 out of LAX. My last flight left LAX at 7:10 Pacific,>landed at DFW at 11:51 Central (so 2 hrs 41 min gate to gate),>took off from DFW at 13:00, landed in Memphis at 14:10 (1 hr>10 min gate to gate). At that point, for a typical Airbus>pilot, would that be it for the day? Or would you have enough>hours left in a duty day to return to LAX following the same>route? Or fly someplace else?>>If not, presumably you would stay in Memphis then what for the>next day? Back to LAX, or somewhere else? How many days>would the typical pilot stay out on a "trip" before returning>home?>>I know that the answers to this question depend heavily on the>aircraft, the airline's practices, and probably other factors.> I'm sure, for example, that RJ pilots could probably do>several back-and-forth trips per day and might never need to>stay anyplace else overnight, whereas 747 or 777 pilots>probably only do one flight per day since their flights last>10-12 hours, thus requiring a lot more layovers. If anything,>like I said above, I'm most curious about those in the>middle--the guys flying the 737, A320, 757, etc..>>Thanks for any help you can provide, or any websites or>external resources to which you can direct me!!>>Regards,>>Marc Sykes>Here is an exerpt from an actual Delta Airlines 767 or 757 bid list. I hope this helps answer a few of your questions, but as far as where to get more infor, I too am lacking on places to look. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ #3616 EXCPT TH EFFECTIVE DEC. 01-DEC. 31 CHECK-IN AT 7.10 EXCEPT DEC. 21 DEC. 22 DEC. 23 DEC. 24 SKED ON-DUTY DAY FLIGHT T DEPARTS ARRIVES C BLK. VM EQ ACT/MAX A 350 ATL 0810 BOS 1035 2.25 5.54 76S 2135 BOS 1205 ATL 1458* 2.53 2123 ATL 1740 RSW 1921 1.41 12.41/13.00 RSW 10.09/RADISSON INN 6.59BL .00CRD 6.59TL B 1466 RSW 0700 ATL 0853 1.53 5.19 M 1689 ATL 1000 LAS 1130 4.30 767 9.00/12.30 LAS 17.20/GREEK ISLES HOTEL 6.23BL .00CRD 6.23TL C 856 LAS 0620 ATL 1301 3.41 4.00 757 M 1292 ATL 1425 CHS 1530 1.05 7.40/13.00 CHS 14.15/FRANCIS MARION HOTEL 4.46BL .00CRD 4.46TL D 1023 CHS 0715 ATL 0828* 1.13 4.47 M 184 *ATL 0930 LGA 1137 2.07 619 LGA 1300 ATL 1531 2.31 9.46/12.38 5.51BL .00CRD 5.51TL .00TRP TOTALS---23.59TL 23.59BL .00CR TAFB 80.51 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ #3617 TH EFFECTIVE DEC. 05-DEC. 26 CHECK-IN AT 7.10 SKED ON-DUTY DAY FLIGHT T DEPARTS ARRIVES C BLK. VM EQ ACT/MAX A 350 ATL 0810 BOS 1035 2.25 6.00 76S 2135 BOS 1205 ATL 1458* 2.53 2123 ATL 1740 RSW 1921 1.41 12.41/13.00 RSW 10.09/RADISSON INN 6.59BL .00CRD 6.59TL B 1466 RSW 0700 ATL 0853 1.53 5.00 M 566 ATL 1115 BOS 1337 2.22 757 8.07/12.30 BOS 14.53/PARK PLAZA 4.15BL .45VM 5.00TL C 993 BOS 0600 ATL 0900 3.00 4.00 M 4.30/12.00 3.00BL 1.00VM 4.00TL .00TRP TOTALS---15.59TL 14.14BL 1.45CR TAFB 50.20 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ #3618 D A I L Y EFFECTIVE DEC. 02-DEC. 31 CHECK-IN AT 10.45 EXCEPT DEC. 15 DEC. 28 DEC. 29 SKED ON-DUTY DAY FLIGHT T DEPARTS ARRIVES C BLK. VM EQ ACT/MAX A 351 *ATL 1145 PHX 1356 4.11 5.00 757 M 296 PHX 1500 ATL 2036* 3.36 10.21/13.00 7.47BL .00CRD 7.47TL .00TRP TOTALS--- 7.47TL 7.47BL .00CR TAFB 10.21 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ #3619 D A I L Y EFFECTIVE DEC. 01-DEC. 31 CHECK-IN AT 10.40 SKED ON-DUTY DAY FLIGHT T DEPARTS ARRIVES C BLK. VM EQ ACT/MAX A 361 *ATL 1140 STT 1610 3.30 5.00 757 2028 STT 1725 ATL 2030 4.05 M 10.20/13.00 7.35BL .00CRD 7.35TL .00TRP TOTALS--- 7.35TL 7.35BL .00CR TAFB 10.20 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ #3620 SA SU EFFECTIVE DEC. 01-DEC. 29 CHECK-IN AT 7.15 SKED ON-DUTY DAY FLIGHT T DEPARTS ARRIVES C BLK. VM EQ ACT/MAX A 389 ATL 0815 SJU 1241 3.26 5.00 757 388 SJU 1415 ATL 1725 4.10 M 10.40/13.00 7.36BL .00CRD 7.36TL .00TRP TOTALS--- 7.36TL 7.36BL .00CR TAFB 10.40 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ #3621 D A I L Y EFFECTIVE DEC. 01-DEC. 31 CHECK-IN AT 10.50 SKED ON-DUTY DAY FLIGHT T DEPARTS ARRIVES C BLK. VM EQ ACT/MAX A 464 *ATL 1150 SJU 1617 3.27 5.00 757 1868 SJU 1730 ATL 2029* 3.59 M 10.09/13.00 7.26BL .00CRD 7.26TL .00TRP TOTALS--- 7.26TL 7.26BL .00CR TAFB 10.09 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ #3622 EXCPT TH EFFECTIVE DEC. 01-DEC. 31 CHECK-IN AT 15.05 EXCEPT DEC. 22 DEC. 23 DEC. 24 SKED ON-DUTY DAY FLIGHT T DEPARTS ARRIVES C BLK. VM EQ ACT/MAX A 489 ATL 1605 RSW 1741 1.36 5.09 757 1202 RSW 1845 ATL 2037 1.52 321 *ATL 2130 LGA 2338 2.08 M 9.03/11.58 LGA 17.52/MILFORD PLAZA 5.36BL .00CRD 5.36TL B 635 LGA 1900 ATL 2135 2.35 4.00 767 331 ATL 2220 MSY 2257 1.37 6.27/10.30 MSY 13.03/INTERCONTINENTAL 4.12BL .00CRD 4.12TL C 1050 MSY 1330 ATL 1600 1.30 5.51 228 *ATL 1700 EWR 1919 2.19 76S 525 EWR 2025 ATL 2253 2.28 M 9.53/12.45 6.17BL .00CRD 6.17TL .00TRP TOTALS---16.05TL 16.05BL .00CR TAFB 56.18 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ #3623 TH EFFECTIVE DEC. 05-DEC. 26 CHECK-IN AT 15.05 SKED ON-DUTY DAY FLIGHT T DEPARTS ARRIVES C BLK. VM EQ ACT/MAX A 489 ATL 1605 RSW 1741 1.36 5.00 757 1202 RSW 1845 ATL 2037 1.52 6.02/11.58 3.28BL 1.32VM 5.00TL .00TRP TOTALS--- 5.00TL 3.28BL 1.32CR TAFB 6.02 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ #3624 EXCPT SA EFFECTIVE DEC. 01-DEC. 31 CHECK-IN AT 14.45 EXCEPT DEC. 24 SKED ON-DUTY DAY FLIGHT T DEPARTS ARRIVES C BLK. VM EQ ACT/MAX A 496 *ATL 1545 BOS 1817 2.32 5.00 767 1207 BOS 1940 ATL 2239 2.59 M 8.24/12.08 5.31BL .00CRD 5.31TL .00TRP TOTALS--- 5.31TL 5.31BL .00CR TAFB 8.24 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ #3625 EXCPT TH FR EFFECTIVE DEC. 01-DEC. 31 CHECK-IN AT 7.35 EXCEPT DEC. 22 SKED ON-DUTY DAY FLIGHT T DEPARTS ARRIVES C BLK. VM EQ ACT/MAX A 497 ATL 0835 SMF 1055 5.20 5.01 757 M 6.50/13.00 SMF 18.05/HAWTHORNE SUITES 5.20BL .00CRD 5.20TL B 580 SMF 0630 SLC 0909 1.39 5.18 M SLC 1010 IAD 1607 3.57 8.07/13.00 IAD 13.23/HOL INN TYSON CORNER 5.36BL .00CRD 5.36TL C 315 IAD 0700 ATL 0859* 1.59 4.41 M 1093 ATL 1020 TPA 1147 1.27 76S 1709 TPA 1300 ATL 1433 1.33 9.03/12.30 4.59BL .00CRD 4.59TL .00TRP TOTALS---15.55TL 15.55BL .00CR TAFB 55.28 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ #3626 TH FR EFFECTIVE DEC. 05-DEC. 27 CHECK-IN AT 7.35 SKED ON-DUTY DAY FLIGHT T DEPARTS ARRIVES C BLK. VM EQ ACT/MAX A 497 ATL 0835 SMF 1055 5.20 5.01 757 M 6.50/13.00 SMF 18.05/HAWTHORNE SUITES 5.20BL .00CRD 5.20TL B 580 SMF 0630 SLC 0909 1.39 5.18 M SLC 1010 IAD 1607 3.57 8.07/13.00 IAD 13.23/HOL INN TYSON CORNER 5.36BL .00CRD 5.36TL C 315 IAD 0700 ATL 0859* 1.59 4.41 M 1093 ATL 1020 TPA 1147 1.27 1709 TPA 1300 ATL 1433 1.33 9.03/12.30 4.59BL .00CRD 4.59TL .00TRP TOTALS---15.55TL 15.55BL .00CR TAFB 55.28 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ #3627 EXCPT TH SA EFFECTIVE DEC. 01-DEC. 20 CHECK-IN AT 15.15 EXCEPT DEC. 13 SKED ON-DUTY DAY FLIGHT T DEPARTS ARRIVES C BLK. VM EQ ACT/MAX A 499 *ATL 1615 SRQ 1745 1.30 4.00 757 1814 SRQ 1845 ATL 2025* 1.40 M 1494 ATL 2155 CHS 2300 1.05 8.15/11.53 CHS 15.55/FRANCIS MARION HOTEL 4.15BL .00CRD 4.15TL B 728 CHS 1625 ATL 1742* 1.17 5.26 417 *ATL 1900 LAS 2030 4.30 76S M 8.35/11.48 LAS 10.00/GREEK ISLES HOTEL 5.47BL .00CRD 5.47TL C 496 LAS 0800 ATL 1443* 3.43 5.34 767 M 1677 *ATL 1725 SAV 1828 1.03 757 944 SAV 1930 ATL 2039* 1.09 11.09/13.00 5.55BL .00CRD 5.55TL .00TRP TOTALS---15.57TL 15.57BL .00CR TAFB 53.54 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ #3628 TH EFFECTIVE DEC. 05-DEC. 26 CHECK-IN AT 15.15 SKED ON-DUTY DAY FLIGHT T DEPARTS ARRIVES C BLK. VM EQ ACT/MAX A 499 *ATL 1615 SRQ 1745 1.30 6.00 757 1814 SRQ 1845 ATL 2025* 1.40 321 *ATL 2130 LGA 2338 2.08 M 8.53/11.53 LGA 17.52/MILFORD PLAZA 5.18BL .42VM 6.00TL B 635 LGA 1900 ATL 2135 2.35 4.00 767 4.05/10.30 2.35BL 1.25VM 4.00TL .00TRP TOTALS---10.00TL 7.53BL 2.07CR TAFB 30.50 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ #3629 SA EFFECTIVE DEC. 07-DEC. 28 CHECK-IN AT 15.15 SKED ON-DUTY DAY FLIGHT T DEPARTS ARRIVES C BLK. VM EQ ACT/MAX A 499 *ATL 1615 SRQ 1745 1.30 4.10 757 1814 SRQ 1845 ATL 2025* 1.40 M 938 ATL 2155 BNA 2202 1.07 8.17/11.53 BNA 14.38/HOLIDAY INN VANDY 4.17BL .00CRD 4.17TL B 1677 BNA 1410 ATL 1620* 1.10 6.00 1676 *ATL 1730 LGA 1946 2.16 447 LGA 2100 FLL 2359 2.59 M 10.19/12.25 FLL 14.46/LAUDERDALE BEACH HOT 6.25BL .00CRD 6.25TL C 792 FLL 1615 LGA 1909 2.54 5.50 461 LGA 2010 PBI 2313 3.03 M 8.28/11.53 PBI 12.02/SHERATON WEST PALM 5.57BL .00CRD 5.57TL D 634 PBI 1245 ATL 1438 1.53 4.00 3.23/13.00 1.53BL 2.07VM 4.00TL .00TRP TOTALS---20.39TL 18.32BL 2.07CR TAFB 71.53 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ #3630 EXCPT TH SA EFFECTIVE DEC. 25-DEC. 31 CHECK-IN AT 15.15 EXCEPT DEC. 27 SKED ON-DUTY DAY FLIGHT T DEPARTS ARRIVES C BLK. VM EQ ACT/MAX A 499 *ATL 1615 SRQ 1745 1.30 4.00 757 1814 SRQ 1845 ATL 2025* 1.40 M 1494 ATL 2155 CHS 2300 1.05 8.15/11.53 CHS 15.55/FRANCIS MARION HOTEL 4.15BL .00CRD 4.15TL B 728 CHS 1625 ATL 1742* 1.17 5.26 417 *ATL 1900 LAS 2030 4.30 76S M 8.35/11.48 LAS 10.00/GREEK ISLES HOTEL 5.47BL .00CRD 5.47TL C 496 LAS 0800 ATL 1443* 3.43 5.34 767 M 1677 *ATL 1725 SAV 1828 1.03 757 944 SAV 1930 ATL 2039* 1.09 11.09/13.00 5.55BL .00CRD 5.55TL .00TRP TOTALS---15.57TL 15.57BL .00CR TAFB 53.54