Originally Posted by
KnownTraveler
If you're a new hire, but an old guy (48) how do you navigate the initial bid?
My case:
48 years old (17 years left)
Live close to MCO (will always commute from there)
8xxx series SSN - so I think that helps bidding initially
Goal: Maximize income over 17 years, while minimizing commutes (1-2 trips per month [even if they're longer] is better than 3-4 trips per month).
I hear 73, 7ER, 765 are now doable bids as a new hire. I have no idea what life is actually like on any of those.
ATL seems like the obvious choice commuting from MCO. But is it?
I have a dream: Be gone 10-12 days per month - make captain pay within 5-6 years. Don't care about weekends, red-eyes, etc. (no kids at home). Biggest thing is fewer trips. Length of trips, not an issue. I'd rather do 12 days on, 20 off. Instead of 3 on, 5 off. Don't know if that's even a thing at DAL.
Am I dreaming too big? What bids make the most sense for that? Reminder: only 17 years before I'm out.
Any thoughts would help - even if you just want to make fun of me - witty jokes welcome.
Thanks.
As someone already mentioned. You can bid all your reserve days at once at Delta with no off days interspersed. If you go with a more junior airframe than 765 (maybe with it but don't know reserve patterns on it) you can eventually alternate months if you really want to (2nd half one month to 1st half of the next).