Originally Posted by
FlyinCat
I'm at a regional and targeting AA so I can live in base. But I am really worried about the schedules, and disappointed that the TA doesn't seem to address this. Right now I can easily get 17 days off, and have unrestricted trades and drop to zero (if there's coverage) if I want. Life is pretty good right now and the only reason I'm considering a legacy is because the future of the regionals is in doubt. I have a friend who gets 16 days off at DL even with a commute. Is it really true you can't trade or drop at all? Any chance this will change even without it written in the TA? I'm really starting to consider other options but I'm very limited by location (CLT). (I've only got about 12 years left until retirement btw so my concerns are different than the young 'uns. Time at home > compensation.)
It’s not easy to drop to zero, it is possible to drop trips though, and dropping to zero is possible if you are senior and have desirable trips. I’ve flown with FO’s that do this and then pick up mostly premium. Part of the problem is that we have a new trip trading system. We also have a third party system for pilot to pilot trades and unfortunately, many people are only using that system to try to drop. Our new system requires many participants in order to work the way it was designed, but many people aren’t using it yet.
I am starting to hear of success stories with the new system, so it could improve. So, no it is not true that you can’t trade or drop at all. Please take what you read here through a filter, we are (
were now I guess) in negotiations, and the interwebs are going to tilt negative always during negotiations, but the job itself is great. To me, living in CLT, it’d be a no brainer to get here ASAP. You’ll hold CA pretty quick and CLT is a huge bid status, which equals many opportunities and easier trading. Or stay as an FO, but movement is happening very quickly right now. Took me about 6 years to get to 45% FO on a NB. I upgraded at the first opportunity and it was 2 years as CA from 98% to 45%. Yeah, being JR is going to suck a little bit, but it will be short lived, and you’re 53, so you understand that and have some patience.
Not sure where you are with retirement savings but I imagine it’s worth the jump for the 401k DC alone, (not to mention LTD) but I’m not familiar with regional DC’s. Also, at CLT you have school house opportunity’s…both as an FO instructor, or CKP.