Does one get to choose what kind of airplane they can fly when working for a civilian airline company?

Question

Does one get to choose what kind of airplane they can fly when working for a civilian airline company?

Answer 1

Only when you have LOTS of seniority, and a certain amount of luck and good will.  The airlines put pilots where they need them, and when you first hire on you can be sure it will be the least desirable routes, the nastiest departure times, and the airplane you least want to fly.  This is called "building character."

Like a prisoner in any type of jail, the new-hire pilot gets time off for good behavior.  If you do a top-notch job, you can get accelerated promotion.  It helps to be single and unattached, and be able to devote yourself to the company at a deep level for the first 8-10 years.

But you can eventually get the chair you want.  The upholstery may be a little tattered by the time you get there, but you will still love it.

Answer 2

Yes, when the get enough seniority to bid onto that aircraft.

Answer 3

The last one that tried to choose that ended up flying around the ramp in a luggage tug........