Originally Posted by
NikeBuddy
Hi guys, was lucky enough to get an interview offer, and need to dig into some of the nitty-gritty:
-Large family...monthly insurance cost (Prob won't do HSA)
-I have heard guys say that because of a particular RIG, or credit system you guys have, that it is not uncommon to credit quite a lot, could someone expound on that a bit, maybe a few examples would be helpful. What should I plan on for the first year or two credit wise?
-Albatross: Upgrade times. Folks are saying 15+ years. Yikes. Really yikes. I see the retirement numbers, they are quite low. Any firm GROWTH A/C orders? 10 years or less seams reasonable, over that is something to consider in my opinion. Not fussed about what seat I am in, but do care about the retirement account!
-Junior bases?
-78hrs X 77/hr start first day of training? Hotel/Per Diem?
Sorry for the deluge, and thank you kindly for your input. I have literally waited 9 years for this opportunity.
Congrats on getting the interview.
I will also echo was Zap told you about Regular plan. My family and I are on it... it saved our butts last year. As I mentioned in a different post, carry a life insurance from somewhere else, but for a large family and phenomenal medical coverage, you can't go wrong with Regular plan. 0 monthly premium. Max out of pocket $2500 for the year. That's less than monthly premiums alone would cost you on Choice Plus plan that the company pushes if you never even saw a doctor.
As for rigs and crediting a lot, it really helps if you live in base and if you're willing to work. The only barrier stopping you from easily making 6 figures here during your first year is you not willing to work... seriously, that's it.
Essentially, anything you pick up from open time... be it more reserve, straight or premium trips, will pay second year rates. My personal best as a first year guy was 170 TFP for the month. I grossed out just under 14k, not counting retirement money or per diem. And no, my dog isn't growling at me when I come home either. There are lots of turns in open time that you can pick up and make some $$$. Bottom line, only you can decide what you can plan to make... you can work the bare bones minimum every month, and you'll end up making around 80k your first year, or you can pick up and play the game and easily make 120k+ your first year. It's really up to you.
Upgrade time... currently, the juniormost captain was hired 31 Jan 2007 and shows effective captain date as of Feb 8, 2017. That's 10 years almost to the day, and he's right at 60% system seniority. I'm guessing the upgrade time will come down quite a bit more. For those hired today, barring any mergers or major downturns and downsizing, I'd guesstimate 8 years... as Zap said, I don't see stagnation being the case here. I truly doubt the company would spend that kinda money on building a new training center and getting more simulators if they weren't planning something big.
For anyone saying upgrade time is 15+ years, I always say that's only for those who are waiting for certain base or don't want to be junior captains or sit on reserve. A friend of mine who recently upgraded could have upgraded 2 years ago, but didn't want to sit reserve, so he held out until he could hold a line as captain. There are also those who choose to stay FO's because they have the best control of their schedule... Remember, you can make north of 300k here as a senior FO. How bad you want to trade flexibility for that 4th stripe considering you can make that kinda money and have the seniority to get what you want?
I will caution you on using the sliding pay scale on APC. It's only reasonably accurate if you don't pick up anything. If you start playing the pick-up game, the numbers on APC scale will be way too low.
You should be able to hold HOU within 2-3 months after hitting the line. DAL maybe a month or so longer. MCO April plug is October 2016 hire.
Good luck on your interview. Relax, be yourself and have fun... really!