It takes most a bit longer than that. After about a year of reserve, the garbage here really started to wear on me. It sucks, plain and simple. Spent another horrible year on reserve and I let that bitterness wear me down for another year of holding a line.

Around year four total years on property, I started to hold a decent line. Would finally start to get 2 days and 3 days, yippee. Was never fully happy (just half content) since that stint on reserve really wore me down.

Fast forward to now, nearing 7 with upgrade maybe within a year it really sucks. I haven't talked to one person from my class that is happy with their career progression thus far. Over half are out west and will have to go east again for an upgrade, which means back to reserve.

Outside looking in, I have a great schedule, but the pay sucks when you compare it to the guy/gal to your left doing the same job, taking the same checkride as you, who happened to get hired here before you (mostly because of age).

I am happy for all of you that scored your first airline job and are excited to get flying, but being in the right seat for crap pay for 5+ years will wear you down. Trust me.