Originally Posted by
Lewbronski
As a senior, bypassing 12-yr (or more) FO flying mostly premium trips, you can make as much or more than a 12-yr (or more) CA who isn’t that senior without flying many, or possibly any, additional days. And you have a better schedule comprised mostly of turns, 2-days, and 3-days (if you desire). A juniorish, bottom half CA will probably be stuck with at least one 4-day per month and almost definitely, mostly 3-days. That all assumes the CA isn’t really able to get much or any premium. Tournament playing cartel members are a different matter.
A jr Rsv CA can prob plan on around 110 easily. That’s $27k/mo without picking up anything.
A 12 yr FO would have to credit 157/mo. Let’s say you can get rid of everything and only pick up premium and avg 9/day. You’re working 17 days a month, minimum.
I check open time awards to see who’s above/below the cap so I can figure out likelihood of getting what I want. Some senior FO’s are working 180/mo with 4/5 days off a month. Once they’re above the cap, they’re picking up straight. They’re working weekends, etc. Sick, vacation, training is all at FO pay.
I don’t see the point of working to death when you can just upgrade and chill for the same pay with more days off. To each his own though.