I can see the case for taking the early upgrade if you are willing to choose money over control of your schedule. Probably a good plan would be to be a NB CA a couple years and using the money to pay off debt or invest, and then you can be a WB FO. Although I doubt many do this since once they taste the CA money, it will be hard to become an FO again imho (golden handcuffs).

But the thought of being on Reserve for years, even as a local guy, turns me off from taking the upgrade. Especially as a junior CA with less chance of picking the days off you want and I have noticed CA side is shorter staffing wise, thus a higher chance of flying on reserve. Although the guys taking the upgrade now might be timing it good should the new contract make reserve 10x better. Interesting 1st world problem to have.