Originally Posted by
TED74
I’m curious…are you cool with what you describe lasting in perpetuity for the rest of your time here? Sounds distasteful to me, even if your eventual schedule looks how you want it to look. I know all of our situations are unique, but for a whole host of reasons my family really benefits by knowing my schedule for the following month by mid month the month prior. I know I’m not alone in that respect but also know many pilots have far more flexibility than me.
Bottom line - when a large percentage of pilots say things suck, I’m inclined to believe them. It’s really just empathy and trust that your union brethren have legitimate concerns that may or may not apply to your personal situation.
I hear what you’re saying and am not arguing that QOL isn’t at an all time low. I’m living one of these wonder rotations right now.
You probably won’t like this but the answer to reliably knowing your schedule and letting the PBS award play out is: be very senior.
I purposely bid my relative seniority down by upgrading, but offset that by having recently moved to base, so yes I choose to “play the game” and be more flexible, at least for the remainder of my seat lock. Although I will admit, senior WB FO is looking very appealing when this mini tour is over.
I’ve been the plug in categories and I’ve also been #1. With hiring at 200/month practically anyone can be senior if they need absolute schedule control.
Everyone else is on a spectrum and can (should!) match their AE decisions to balance what’s going on in their life outside work.
*and again I’m not saying rotations aren’t complete **** lately. Currently on a min rest day over, not sleeping and will be flying through the WOCL tonight. We fly airplanes 24/7 but the worst legs should be mitigated with less punishing rotations.