Never have understood the entitlement mentality concerning those complaining about how others fly the contract...

Kudos to those who really learn their contract and fly it to maximum effect...

Due to my stagnant seniority, I've been dropping my entire schedule for over ten years and have been able to greatly improve my time off and pay... it sure has beaten ten years of flying all weekends, holidays and redeyes, that my seniority would have afforded me!

Advice for all newbies:

Learn section 23 backwards and forwards... this is the bread and butter of your every day working life. It really isn't difficult... just take it one sentence at a time.

Also, whenever you are getting ready to do something you haven't done for awhile, read and fully understand that section. I.e., bidding vacation, bidding an AE, etc... I flew with two FOs last year that missed their coast to coast paid moves because they didn't know a VD entitled them to said move... that cost them thousands of dollars!

Bottom line... fly your negotiated contract to maximum personal effect!

Bon Chance!

P.s., Removed quote because this really applied to several posters.