I've been a co-pilot at Delta 20 years. I've been on the 777 for 9. In nine years I've gone from 40 from the bottom to about 65 from the bottom. So I've averaged about 3 seats of progression a year.

I sat out this bid. I'm happier at Delta then I've ever been. I'm conflicted about the idea of stagnating as a co-pilot although I was an instructor pilot in the military.

My problem is this: I just pulled up a schedule of a guy my seniority who's an M88A. He's worked 13 days and made 68 hours. I worked 14 and made 96. Work the math and that would be a $5000 a month pay cut for me.

I'll be honest and say I'd like to fly more. I like to takeoff and land. I like to feel like I'm important to the operation. I'd love to taxi around on the ground and I'd look better with the extra stripe and the extra shizzle on the hat.

I've got plenty of money and could do whatever I want, but here's how it sounds when I say it out loud.

"Hey, I've thought about it and I think I'm going to bid narrow body captain. The equipment is not as good. It will mean more work for me and potentially less ability to string together days off. And I'll probably make a lot less money. But, hey, I'll get to fly more and I'd love to start calling the shots." To be honest, I can't even convince myself.

For guys in my seniority, it's hard not to come to the conclusion it makes more sense to wait for a wide body left seat.

I hope everybody is doing what they want. I love Delta airlines and I've never been happier.

 

I'm in Dtw 777b and 15ish off the bottom. That's the beauty of this job. To each his own. I'm expecting to move backwards on this bid so I pulled the trigger to go to the left seat. I have better seniority on the 73 at 20 years than on the 777. Most of the guys I talk to are not going to leave voluntarily. More $$$ less days. I love the 777. IMO, it is the the queen of the fleet. Bummed I'm leaving but it's time. Even though I'll be working more days, the 7+ day trips are getting old. I guess we will see on Tuesday where I land!

 

I know how you feel. Good luck.

 

2 observations about this AE:

1. If the big driver of this MOAB is Summer 2018 staffing and managing the 620+ retirements between now and then, wouldn't that suggest that an annual MOAB would be required for the next ~8 years to manage retirements alone?

2. For everyone I know who put in a bid, I know at least 2 more who are waiting for "the dust to settle" to put theirs in on a future AE.

Interesting times...

 

If there was ever a time to get a position out of seniority (or in), this was the bid to do it on. My guess is the next year's worth of AE's will be clean up from this one and new hire positions that need to be offered on an AE first.

Denny

 

for some, the dust will never be 'settled'....enough.

 

I think the better chance to get a position "out of seniority" will be the next biggish bid when all of the people on this one are still under a freeze.

 

Usually the more positions available, the more junior a position will go. At least that's what I've experienced......personally. We shall see.

Usually on the follow on bid/s, the more senior folk now say "holey moley!" I could be really senior on that now and bid on top of more junior folks...

Denny

 

As long as I retain my position.............my dust is long settled! We shall see in a couple days (it sounds like, no inside info here).

Denny

 

In the past, it seems that when a position goes way out of seniority, the following AE (or two) tend(s) to reflect a more "normal" order of things.