Originally Posted by
if4not
What would be the benefit of one aircraft over another if I am fortunate enough to find myself faced with that choice? I basically understand the WB/NB/SO pay scale aspect, but what are the other factors to consider? Maybe trip length or legs per night, or maybe how long until you could hold a commutable line?
I apologize if this is an ignorant question. I am but a poor A-10 guy, so please speak slooowly and don't use more than two colors in your answer.
easy way to look at it
1st year pays is not that much different.
NB will get you off reserve the quickest- better qol. pick of skeds, but it will either be domstic backside of clock or limited domestic day. Generally mon-fri, there are some weekend trips but not as many as on wb. Generally, NB doesn't work over the holidays if you can hold a decent line. You'll actually fly the jet every other leg or so (unless you get the panel)
WB- you'll be on reserve for a several years. guys hired in 2006 still pull R day duties in mem. Don't plan on being home for t'giving, xmas, new years, 4th, mem day etc consistently for a long time. You might get a few of those, but you won't have the ability to control which ones you get. If you don't live in mem, and are not in res/guard, this could be miserable based on your tolerance for commuting & how much your family can tolerate you being gone ( >55% of every month (15 days in 28 day month & maybe lose a day in a commute)). Over the past 6 years the ability to drop R days while on reserve in the WB has been extremely limited to non-existant.
If you live in base, reserve is not as bad. As you're home except when flying. you'll likely work over some holidays, and get abused in peak, but at least you'll be home more than a WB commuter. But it is mem.
In all likelihood you may not have a choice, as it goes by SSN for picking the available seats.
biggest decision should be
1) Live in mem or commute?
2) in guard/reserve? (rec living at guard/res location or in fdx base -commuting to both is hard)
3) Is sked flexibility -holidays, weekends off important in this phase of your life?- if so NB may be a better choice. you'll attain seniority quicker= control of sked -better line or at least off reserve)
4) if its all about the $$, and you could care less when you work or how long you're away from home WB
my 2 cents