upgrades are starting back up again as new hires are coming online. The problem with the question of "how long is the upgrade" is it's where things are RIGHT NOW. So yea, you can say 8-9 years at the moment, but we need at least 100 upgrades from May-Dec this year just to replace those going to DL for the SSP numbers to be fulfilled. With -200's coming back and other attrition from the CA ranks the number is higher. That brings down the "8-9" level down a good bit and keep in mind the upcoming years have larger numbers to DL, although it will be a mix of CA and FO by the SSP alone.

Looking at a place solely by "how long is the upgrade" is not the way to choose a carrier. All it takes is an airplane order to be placed, canceled, or a staffing issue and the number moves. Look at the overall picture and put consideration into upgrade, but also into pay, QOL, security, and career progression. That's just my opinion. When I started at Pinnacle in 06 they were hiring street CA's. 5 years later I was actually able to upgrade. But at the time, upgrade time was in newhire class!