Mandatory upgrades went bye-bye years ago.

Although I just saw this issue as one being addressed in the union merger talks. Why, and which way any party is leaning, I don't know.

I *do* know that after 14 years of scrabbling at the bottom of the list, I'm in no mood to trash my new seniority (of sorts) by upgrading just to upgrade.

actually it was on FREEZE or HOLD. On our new contract it is gone.
It's been in the 3XP since 2002 when it went on hold.

Cheers!

Along the same lines, is upgrade to Capt a one way street? Once upgraded to Captain, is there an option to bid back to F.O. down the road?

Could swear that I just saw a union email (or something) that said the mandatory upgrades were on hold until 2020 or 2021.

2 year lock in, then can bid back to FO.

Seems like a bad idea for the company. Two training events as opposed to one (for a guy that's not going to bid back to fo) as well as paying someone two years who may be on a higher ca scale.

Am I missing something?

A LOT of stuff in any major airline pilot contact would be considered a "bad idea" by management, but it's in there nonetheless. That's what bargaining power gets a pilot group.

I want to bargain away mandatory safety vests.

Have you ever walked on the MIA (Miami) ramp?

It's insane. Also DFW tugs ducking in and out of moving aircraft. Totally unprofessional and unsafe ramper tug vehicle drivers.

As first I thought "Man I don't want to wear that!"

Now I'm glad I wear it.