Just to answer the weekends off part. I was getting almost all weekends off within about 50% in base seniority which took maybe a year? That's in LAX though and I think the reason was most people were commuting and didn't put weekends off that high against a commutable line.

I started first of February. Finished school house training first of May. Had a few almost full weeks off in the middle mixed up between classroom and sims.

Since off reserve (3 months) I’m seeing about 15 days a month in a hotel with min (11-12) days off a month.

I was on reserve for 4 months after IOE completetion. I think my classmate in SEA was about the same.

The thing is a guy that started 2 months before me went straight into a line holder. But we just hired a pile of guys. So you’ll be behind all them. So probably more like the 3-6mths I’d reserve if you start early next year.

Once again. The plane is great the routes we fly are great. The hotels we stay in are mostly excellent! And the best part are the crews. We have awesome people to work with.

Keep in mind, too, that you can choose to bid to reserve to get the days off you want (I.E. Weekends) rather than a line working weekends. If you live in base close enough to sit at home on a 2 hour call-out, it's not a bad way to keep the wife happy at home because you'll be at home as much, if not more than you would be as a line holder with minimum days off. Lots more driving to/from the airport, but if that's your priority you should be able to get that when you get even somewhat reasonable seniority on reserve (probably 90% in base, but I'm shooting from the hip).

If you plan on living more than two hours away from SEA or doing an easy commute, then obviously being a line holder will likely be better than reserve. Just giving you another option depending on where exactly you plan on moving.

Day 1 in March, SEA FO. Can count on one hand the number of reserve days I did. 13-15 days off usually. Haven't bid for weekends, but usually get 2 weekends off each month anyway. If you want to come here next year, apply now.

Thanks for the advice guys, much appreciated. Any other Seattle FO scheduling input out there?

June hire here... Completed IOE about a month ago, not quite. Reserve at SEA this month, and as others have stated, little sitting. I’ve gone one reserve day without flying. It’s been busy. Crews are great! Switching bases in November. At the moment it seems that SEA is short on FO’s.

"bike handles"(?) haha, that's awesome.. Nicely done

How easy is it to switch bases?

If there is an opening and your seniority will hold it, not a problem. If there is an opening and someone senior to you wants it, problem. If there is no opening, problem. That being said, most people are getting what they want right out of training.

Still waiting for the first screening call, so this is a bit premature but...
Commuting from SMF I think I’d go for the base that has the best promise of minimal reserve time. I hope to avoid the crash pad phenomenon if possible. ;)