If a good number of people did this, we would have A LOT of G4 FOs making G2CA pay because of withholding. Lots of training cycles! Great idea.

Today I’m a LH in base. But I started as a commuter to LC to LGA for 3 months. Easy peasy. Then transitioned to a line in LGA, then transferred done here for SC reserve in base. Now a LH.

Even commuting to LC reserve on domestic G2 CA was tons easier than flying those long haul trips that left me brain dead for 2-3 days after...only to repeat it all over again.

That is my plan as well. You can break your lock for first upgrade, right? After six months I think? I figure go get a new type, do international for a bit, then bid G2 CA to break your lock.

I agree I much prefer local domestic stuff except for the heavy leg days and short overnights.

However it's different if you are only working 8-10 days on reserve vs 18 on reserve in an understaffed category/base.

True statement... I’ve been blessed to be based in a relatively small base that doesn’t fly much.

DCA 737 ;) A hidden gem new hires should really consider over LGA or MIA.

I started in DCA on the 80, great base, small bid status, we only flew 30ish hours a month back then. Great deal living there, not so sweet for commuters.

Being a junior ca on the 73 is starting to feel like the land of the misfit toys. Movement has slowed to a trickle the last few bids, while the bus has had big awards going junior.

18 months in, and still commuting to reserve, I cant hold a line anywhere (except for the occasional hybrid with vacation or training) while I'd be in solid line holding territory on the bus in LGA. The last bid would have had me going home if I were on the bus, still just out of reach on the 73.

Yeah Captain side a different story. FO side however has seen some get nice movement the past year for sure.

Also DCA like many LUS bases seems to have many approaching mandatory retirement? You’d know more on that then me but anytime I hand a plane away to DCA crews there seems to be a lot with few years left?

this isnt a big secret, I know ALOT of FOs that have this plan as well...hopefully the seat lock rules dont change in the next contract 🤔

That’s great that this has worked for you. I’m hearing one side of the story, it’s good to get other feedback.

If you can’t nap then longhaul doesn’t work for most people. I’m lucky, as soon as I lay down in the bunk, I’m out.