Originally Posted by
Ottopilot
I spent 9 years at Express and 2 at CAL. I'll take CAL's anyday! Pay or anything. There are a couple minor things in the XJT contract not in CAL's, but who cares. Life is better at CAL. When I fly the 767, my two year FO pay is the same as my 9 year CA pay at Express! I'm less than 100 numbers from upgrade and $138/hour. In the 757, I do two to four legs per week, not per day. I have more days off than when I was number 14 in EWR. New hires can hold any plane from the 737 up to the 777 in EWR. My QOL is much better here.
Good luck to those who are trying to get here. Keep trying.
All of my friends at CAL aren't quit as happy as you. And they fly the big 767 too. Obviously it is a better job but your work rules are not that good. Every one I talk to over there hates the PBS system. Bad trips, uncommutable and 11 or 12 days off not nearly as nice as Express. Not to mention 75% deadhead pay.
Now that is for right now and I know in 5 years they will be a lot happier than if they would have stayed at Express. It just sucks being at the bottom of the list.
When you upgrade on the 737 remember you will be back doing the same exact job that you did at Express, just for more money. No more two leg trips.