Ask The Pilot

[jb747]

These days recruits are being promoted to F/O in some bases from day one, and in all bases within about 12 months. You’re only going to be in an S/O role for a long period of time if you choose to be.

I'd be very surprised if that is on widebody.

 

[AviatorInsight]

I'd be very surprised if that is on widebody.

They definitely wouldn’t allow that. It’s on the 737. A mate of mine just got to A330 FO after 7yrs in the back seat.

 

[Rabs97]

I'd be very surprised if that is on widebody.

You know there’s more than just widebodies in the airline now?

Point being a promotional opportunity is available to pilots to be an F/O in mainline very soon after commencement.

 

[Rabs97]

They definitely wouldn’t allow that. It’s on the 737. A mate of mine just got to A330 FO after 7yrs in the back seat.

Actually the requirements to be promoted from S/O to F/O on a widebody are not dissimilar to being promoted to 737 F/O (just need an ATPL to be able to relieve the Captain whilst on a rest break).

The reason why it took 7 years for your friend to be upgraded to 330 FO was because that was when their seniority allowed them to get a position on that aircraft, because that’s the usual wait to have seniority for that position.

But hypothetically say if the airline underwent rapid expansion and the LH FO slots dropped very junior then as long as the new hires met the ATPL minimums they’d be considered for as a widebody FO (ie they would not have to do a minimum number of years as an SO before being “allowed” to be a wide body FO).