Senior NB FO vs Junior WB FO vs Junior NB CA
10-16-2025 | 04:28 PM
#1
Thread Starter
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Senior NB FO vs Junior WB FO vs Junior NB CA
Where’s the money at?
Better to stay senior NB FO for a couple more years and hustle?
WB FO making a little less but easy life?
Or take first available NB CA upgrade and work every single day on reserve
Better to stay senior NB FO for a couple more years and hustle?
WB FO making a little less but easy life?
Or take first available NB CA upgrade and work every single day on reserve
10-16-2025 | 04:49 PM
#2
Line Holder
Joined: May 2023
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NB CA is almost always going to make the most. WB FO on short call is probably equal to low-to-mid 90-hour line as NB FO (depends on your longevity). Long call may go junior depending on base.
10-16-2025 | 05:10 PM
#3
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Otherwise you're just working more days for similar amount of pay.
10-16-2025 | 06:20 PM
#4
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Pretty easy to calculate. Jr reserve NB CA will work 85 hours consistently.
10-16-2025 | 06:28 PM
#5
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Joined: Dec 2011
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From: A320 FO
On 3rd year pay it would take 105 WB FO hours to equal 84 NB CA hours. As mentioned above NB CA is the most money when junior. Do that until you can hold a line as a WB FO, even then it's probably a paycut but not a very severe one.
It would be nice to go WB FO first for the seat lock break but it means waiting at least a year of being able to hold 73 CA and about 6 months of Bus CA in the junior bases.
10-16-2025 | 06:57 PM
#6
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other side
Also what's the opposite? I am new and have 2 young kids that I want to spend as much time with as I can and make money later. I know WB fo is about 3 years now and if it comes down at all in the next 2 years with retirements and new planes is it worth pursuing while being very junior for QOL. I commute form PIT.
10-16-2025 | 07:00 PM
#7
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From: Window seat
Also what's the opposite? I am new and have 2 young kids that I want to spend as much time with as I can and make money later. I know WB fo is about 3 years now and if it comes down at all in the next 2 years with retirements and new planes is it worth pursuing while being very junior for QOL. I commute form PIT.
10-16-2025 | 11:01 PM
#8
Used to get weekends off
Joined: Sep 2008
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Also what's the opposite? I am new and have 2 young kids that I want to spend as much time with as I can and make money later. I know WB fo is about 3 years now and if it comes down at all in the next 2 years with retirements and new planes is it worth pursuing while being very junior for QOL. I commute form PIT.
10-17-2025 | 03:33 AM
#10
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From: Leave of Absence
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Milton99, I’m in the same boat trying to maximize time at home while kids want/need me around. PHL 787 had FO 0-time lines Oct-April since there are around twice as many sequences in July vs January. 90% seniority Apr & Oct I had lines of 5x3-day Euro Trips and all were green & easy to drop/trade now. LGA may change this but ‘24/25 QOL was pretty great as LC commuter most of the year, aside from working each weekend in travel season
