Originally Posted by
DoubleHaul
I have a couple of questions since this thread seems to be active again...
1) How many subsets of 737 pilots are there at CO? I know that pilots can fly most (if not all) versions of the 73 with a single type rating and differences training. I guess what I am curious about is how that translates for the airline/pilots themselves.
- Is there one "737" category that goes all the way from the -500 to the -900ER?
- Is there a "classic" group vs. a NG group?
-Within these groupings, is there true flexibility...i.e. could a pilot fly one leg on a 73G, the next leg on a 739ER, and then back to the 73G, and so forth?
PPTP answered this fairly well.
As a 737 pilot I am qualified on all of our models: -300, -500, -700, -800, -900, and -900ER. Our pairings incorporate all versions and we move back and forth among them all. Jumping back and forth is pretty straightforward actually.
The -300s required a separate simulator, and at least 5 hours of training during our IOE - Initial Operating Experience (I did a Miami turn from IAH for mine). Sim training also has a separate sim for the -500, and then separate sims for the NGs. We are in the process of removing the -300 sim from the training center and replacing it with an NG sim, or two.
Pay is better on the 8's and 9's, so all else being equal, most of us prefer to earn the extra bucks for an hour in the seat.
DRW