Originally Posted by ZapBrannigan

I want to address this common refrain any time someone talks about the quick upgrade times at Delta (or UAL or FedEx etc..)

"Well sure, if you want to be based in New York and be on reserve for the next decade."

(Or Newark... or if you want to fly nights...)

It's about having the choice.

Here, our least desirable (and therefore most junior) domicile is nearly impossible to commute to from anyplace east of Denver and takes upwards of 11 years to upgrade to.

At Delta, their least desirable (and therefore most junior) domicile is served by 3 airports and 40 flights a day from just about anywhere in the Western Hemisphere. (Ok, I'm exaggerating a bit but you get the idea). There's also more crashpads than you can shake a stick at and free or low cost transportation to and from them. I've been based there at other airlines. Is it great? No, at least not for me. But it is for somebody. Pilots who live there or want to commute.

For those pilots the CHOICE of a junior upgrade is far better than a decade long slog. So the dismissal of that choice by many of our pilots just because of the domicile rings hollow. We have an equally unattractive domicile (or worse) and no choice whatsoever.

Yeah yeah, I know. "Delta's hiring. Don't let the door hit you on the butt on your way out."

Thanks Cap'n. [emoji849]