Originally Posted by gloopy

As you have noticed and as others have mentioned, you will get relative seniority faster there. At least for a while. As soon as you do start getting some seniority though (because people above you are bidding out ASAP) you will find that people below you are then also bidding out ASAP. And as you go up the list, the rate of bidding out decreases.

You will also need more seniority (especially as a commuter, but even as a "local" aka also a commuter but by car in most cases) because the domestic trips there are especially bad. Early report, late release, 3 airports to cover. No matter where you are on the reserve lists, you're always number 1 for something so you better always be ready.

NYC used to be a commuter's paradise even for relatively junior domestic. Then came the uncontrollable wildfires of the "optimizer" and its been scorched earth ever since.

The ER, even after it became a single category with 767 domestic, used to be significantly better almost all the time. Now its barely better some of the time.

All that said, if you have a flexibile mentality and can "roll with it" you'll be fine there and will at least sometimes notice your faster seniority bump. If you become a contract ninja, glued to your phone, on top of that flexible mentality, you'll actually be able to make some lemonade once in a while. And by the time you realize you can't take it anymore, you'll be able to bid out anyway.