As of right now, no one that has been at AA for under 3 years has been awarded WB FO. It will come down once it "jumps the gap" of the year that AA didn't hire, but as of now, it hasn't jumped the gap. The most junior WB FO was hired in March 2020, and the award has an effective date of March 2024, so 4 years.

It is possible on the next award that it could go junior to this, but it is not a guarantee. There are many awards in which they go senior to the award before it. The pilots awarded 777 FO on the Sept 2023 award, for instance, have not had anyone junior to them awarded 777 FO in the subsequent 2 awards.

So, as of now, time to hold WB FO is just about 4 years and we will see what happens on the next award. The vacancy should open in late November of the first week of December. It *could* drop to 2 years at that point, but it is highly unlikely.

 

I heard nearly the entirety of our WB CA’s retire in the next 5-6 years. Add that to the WB FO’s who will also retire as well. I’m assuming with each vacancy the awards should trend more junior for everything.

 

I mean, due to our lack of widebodies it's always going to be like that isn't it? You won't make WB CA until you are in the upper 50s so we will perpetually have the entirety of WB CA's retire within 5-6 years, although there may be a year or two added to that in the future.

 

Been following the MIA drops lately. Any reason 737 slots are so heavy in Miami versus Airbus? For those younger wanting the Airbus in Miami not much luck ever other than completing a base exchange.

 

Bid the 737 if you want the best of MIA flying.

 

I should be able to hold WB captain at age 50 and there are a handful senior to me that are younger than me. I also know of guys just junior to me, like less the 100 numbers, that are 8-10 years younger than me so they will be able to hold it at age 40 or so.

 

there are plenty of 2012-14 hires that will hit WB CA seniority in their mid to late 40’s. As we get more 787s the upgrade time will drop even more for 2015-17 hires(assuming 777s dont get parked).

 

737 drops are heavy in general because younger new hires bid off of it after the seat lock and withholding period so there is a continual need to backfill the seat.

320 flying in DFW and MIA is desirable if you like the Latin terrain destinations. XLRs may eventually have augmented south of the equator trips from MIA.

Because of seat locks and withholding it is wise to bid equipment first and base trade. If you are young in your class though, you will probably be stuck on the 73.

 

What is considered young? I am 44 and I am really hoping to avoid 73s to MIA.

 

I was 41 and I was right in the middle