Originally Posted by
4fans
Well you could answer it and say what you liked better about one or the other. I know as a relatively newish guy that my perspective has changed several times on what is important to me based on different philosophies that various captains I have flown with over the last few years have taken the time to explain. I’m also someone with this same question in mind.
To add on, frequently reserve pilots fly (on average) better trips than junior line holders. The reason being junior line holders are definitely going to fly the crappier trips while reserves will get a mixed bag when stuff drops into open time (irops, senior sick call, whatever)
Just me, but I wouldn’t bid to a commute where I would have to sit reserve. Being in base opens up more options and QOL by making reserve a tolerable (sometimes even enjoyable) setup.
One final thought, take a look back and see where the unstacking level is for your new category. If you’re frequently getting forced into weekends/holidays and that’s a priority for you, then it’s not going to be fun being junior. If you’re above the unstacking line (which changes month to month) then you’ll have a better QOL, especially on reserve as you’ll be on X days during weekends & holidays (higher sick calls, more reserve usage, etc)