Originally Posted by
FO Candidate
Thanks for the insight. I envy your QOL, and I'm sure you've worked hard for it. But I'm in my early 40's, just getting started on 121 so can't waste any time. I want QoL (and better pay) but that's for a later time if I intend to progress. Precisely for all the things you said, i rather byte the bullet at a regional to get those 1,000 pic than jump to a major, wait years for upgrade and risk getting a furlough with no PIC time.
Seems that from indoc to line could take about a year. I think i'm gonna painfully have pass on the interview.
One additional piece to ponder before you pass. How close are you to a base? Our long call reserve makes reserve much more tolerable, and in the near-future, it'll be 30% of reserve lines for at least six months. If you can make two flights (or the drive) in a twelve hour period, then you can sit reserve at home. You won't fly as much, but you'll be home, which makes not flying much more tolerable.
If sitting reserve in base, then you can't be called for 5am reserve on your first day if you're holding PM reserve, either. That's one more day at home every sit.