I've been on all 4 airplanes and am now on the 717, by design, for all the reasons you mention. It's probably a wash with the 88 seniority-wise.

Keep in mind that our contract allows you to do some creative (read lucrative) things with your schedule if you have decent seniority in category. You will get senior faster on either the 717 or 88. If you get a few greenslips a year, which is pretty likely going forward with our new, lean staffing, you will easily make up the pay difference. From May to September last year I had 3-5 greenslips every month just as a reference point - that was on the DC-9 which has the same mission as the 717, and mostly the 88.

This summer is shaping up to be the same or worse manning wise (better if you want to make some $) The more seniority you have, generally the more GS opportunities you'll have. Not to mention all the other QOL benefits of being senior: vacation, monthly bidding, open time coverage, etc...I keep thinking about bidding back to the 320 or 737 but I like having the days off I want and the money would be the same or less because I wouldn't be able to work my schedule the way I can now.

The Bus has the best office hands down, and the 73N has he best trips.