Originally Posted by
dracir1
Ok...
Life as a 1st year FO at F9 living in base is GREAT. It is probably better than MOST OTHER airlines. Why? Because of the relative seniority rise you will experience - you can become a senior FO in 2-3 years. With all the aircraft orders and the latest multibase strategy going on, getting here and getting a good QoL is top 10% of all domestic airlines. Also, the 1st year FO pay is close to most others.
But, then there's the REAL question that no one seems to be asking - what is this place like when upgrade is viable?
^^this^^
If you want to be a career FO, you can have a pretty good quality of life. You won’t make much money relative to you peers, but life will be good. Especially if you life in base.
Most people plan to upgrade though. That’s when reality will slap you. As pointed out, you will be paid less for doing more, your seniority will stagnate, and you will be dealing head on with all the other headaches that go along with an airline operating on a shoestring budget with limited resources. Yes, you SEE those things as an FO, have a front row seat, and may occasionally need to handle something yourself, but it’s really the captain that’s dealing with the brunt of it all. It becomes tiresome.