I remember analyzing this as a newhire, but my outlook has since changed. Year one, I was checking the seniority list monthly to try and see when my earliest opportunity to upgrade was. But now as a more senior NB FO, even though I can upgrade, I'm waiting. With a little gamesmanship I make as much if not more than the average capt I fly with (thanks to seniority getting me trip buyoffs, dropping single pay trips, filling up on silver slips and green slips, occasional gucci out-of-base green slip, etc.). I can get any time off I want. 3 weeks off any time of the year to go non-rev to europe? easy. no vacation time used. I can bid for prefer-off days and always get them. I can hustle as little or as much as I want, usually hustle during the summer, chill and travel during the quieter winter months.

I have no reason to change categories (NB A or WBB) until I can start to do the same elsewhere. Pay charts are only a small part of the equation here when there are other angles to make money.

If I had a reason to fly even less (like when I have kids), I would probably upgrade to sit junior NB A reserve, where you can play the game to fly as little as possible (5-10 days per month) for res guarantee. Very good deal in terms of pay/days worked ratio.