You do realize a WB FO on 5th year pay makes $282/hr (plus international override) right. (Yr 12 $317) plus 17% DC going to 18% in Jan. So 19-24 years as an FO sounds a little better compared to your 12 year CA rate. And just a little history. The only time we've had 19-24 yr FOs was was during the lost decade. Barring LEPF getting their way and the mandatory retirement age going to 70 or higher, it's extremely unlikely. We had 3 year pilots getting CA back in the mid 90's much like today. But the other difference is we're just getting to our peak retirement decade. For the next 10 years UAL is retiring 500-700 pilots per year. Unlike a company with a single gauge aircraft, upgrades aren't linear. We have many FO's who go to the WB and park out there for 25 yrs until the "jump the trashcan" because of the lifestyle and pay allowing those with 4-5 years to upgrade on a NB to get that 4th stripe.

It's nice to have choices.

That being said, I'm truly hoping you guys get an amazing contract that gets parody (or better) with the big 4 NB rates. Our contract is amendable in a few years and it will give us a springboard.