Originally Posted by
Scoop
Xray,
I basically agree with what you are saying but you are greatly simplifying the issue. Many Seniors FOs did not have the quick upgrade opportunity due to 9-11, outsourcing and age 65. Now things are changing, but many are enjoying the very high QOL that summer vacations, weekends off, LCA drops, and the GS opportunities that often become available to senior FOs.
IMHO - If guys want to upgrade quickly - great for them, anyone hired by DAL should do great. If guys want to camp out in the right seat - great for them, more opportunity for other guys to upgrade quickly.
One of the best things about this job is that "One mans trash is another mans gold."
Scoop
I fly with our most senior F/O's every trip, some have more than 30 years seniority and can hold a line as a 777 Captain, yet they prefer to fly 777 F/O, drop LOE trips, fly green slips, work less, make more than some of the 777 Captains. Many have already 'been there done that' on the narrow body domestic Captain gig, and got sick of putting up with the crap that is domestic narrow body flying.
They have done the math and it just doesn't make economic sense for them to go fly narrow body Captain (again). They are either never going to upgrade (again) or wait until they can move from the right seat to the left seat of the wide body jet they are already on.