Originally Posted by
MikefromMT
I'm wondering if any guys on the property can give their perspective on initial equipment bidding for someone who does not commute (ATL here). I've always heard the aim should be for the junior airplane to improve quality of life asap, but after having looked at the junior 76er schedules I'm thinking that wouldn't be half bad. I understand that there is a pretty low chance of having this option anyway, but with a good ss# I'd just like to ponder all my options prior to filling out the sheet.
Additionally, I'm trying to wrap my head around the effect of 2nd year pay being higher on the big equipment vs the increased possibility of picking up flying (whether white or green slip) if on the 88. Is this a realistic benefit of bidding the 88 that is not as readily available on the 76er?
Don't count greenslips until you get one. A couple years ago I averaged 2 a month for the year. Even got picky and restricted the first one to 2+ days. The past 2 years I've had 3-4 total.
The trips on the 75/76 are way better, and actually on reserve you'll fly better trips than a junior lineholder. Pretty much true system wide, the bottom lineholders get the worst trips and can't get rid of them. You'll be somewhat less abused on the bottom of the ER. If you can pull up some schedules, check the bottom few guys in each category, look at the trips they are assigned and the # days worked.
Having said all that, you should probably go to the 88. It's a matter of time before you get displaced from a piece of equipment where you're the plug. I've been displaced 4 times, the walk of shame to the training dept sux.