What about the 8 year RJ FO that has been making 35K since he got out of college, with a wife and 2 kids, that has had a bid in for upgrade on the most junior equipment in the most junior base since he got out of new hire training? It really irritates me when RJ CAs talk about "paying their dues" when they upgraded in 2 years or less at $70+ dollars an hour. Try making $35 an hour watching year after year go by wondering if you'll even have a job let alone upgrade. Guys like us have 2 choices: either sit around depressed and wait for an upgrade that may never come because it's "the right thing to do", or get off our ass, network our asses off, volunteer, get advanced degrees, get involved, and take our 8000 hours of SIC and make something happen. That's what I did and if guys are going to look down on me for it, so be it.

I have a family of 4 to feed and as long as I'm not crossing a picket line or contributing to the race to the bottom, I owe it to my family to work my ass off for a better life. It's not my fault I couldn't upgrade. I may never have sat in the left seat, but I made plenty of hard decisions when the guy sitting next to me couldn't. If guys think I'm less of a pilot because I never upgraded, I guess I'll have to live with that. I passed the type ride just like everyone else, and I'm happy to demonstrate proficiency at any time. United Airlines captain training should be the same for everyone. If they release you from the training center, they should be confident you have the ability to perform your captain duties. By that point, your background shouldn't matter. I am happy to be here and really doing all I can to make this operation the best it can be. It's a shame some feel those like me are less than qualified. I was hoping I left all that drama behind at the regional.