Originally Posted by
Flying Elvis
With the caveat that these are all still rumors, I can't see how any rep at all could vote yes to this.
Even assuming every Capt is a narcissistic, self-serving jerk... and that's a false assumption because that just doesn't fit the profile of the Capts with whom I've flown, this change would affect all except the most senior Captains in the most senior categories.
1. Look at the senior F/Os in the NB categories that are currently ripe with LCA/GS opportunities. Many of them could hold Capt, and quite senior in some cases, but may be staying in their current slot precisely because they can reap the GS windfall. That goes away, and I believe many will go to the left seat, bumping a lot of Capts down.
2. Similarly, look at the seniority of the middle/lower half of widebody F/Os, many of whom could hold Capt in various categories. If staffing requirements for widebody F/Os goes down - and it will, that will likewise require and/or incentivize many of them to hop to available A slots, again bumping a lot of Capts down.
I got to overhear the ATL CPO talking to a couple of senior FO's about the need for recovery on 23G. The FO's, both of which apparently just bid new FO positions, said that if 23G went away then they want to be let out of their seatlocks because the only reason they bid the seat instead of NB Capt was because of the LCA removal they were using to increase their pay.