WB B vs NB A
04-28-2021, 09:04 AM
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: 320B
Posts: 217
WB B vs NB A
What are some of your experiences with WB B vs NB A? Obviously the hourly payrate is higher for a captain, but I know there are many factors besides payrate that affect actual income. I'm just curious what factors have contributed to decisions to either stay WB B vs taking the upgrade
04-28-2021, 09:50 AM
#2
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Joined APC: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,909
Originally Posted by bsh932
What are some of your experiences with WB B vs NB A? Obviously the hourly payrate is higher for a captain, but I know there are many factors besides payrate that affect actual income. I'm just curious what factors have contributed to decisions to either stay WB B vs taking the upgrade
Schedule flexibility
Vacation needs / bidding
Ability to sleep in a bunk
Ability to function at home after time zone changes
Bid pack stability / predictability
Second family / girl friends abroad
Age of kids
Age of spouse
Age
Retirement savings
Current health / forecast health
Need for mental stimulation / challenge at work
04-28-2021, 09:53 AM
#3
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Joined APC: Jan 2008
Posts: 496
If you’re comfortably able to do either seniority-wise and you think you might like the international lifestyle, it’s a relatively low commitment move to start with widebody B. Assuming you haven’t burned your “get out of seat lock free” upgrade card, you can try the WB and still have the ability to bug out before too long if you absolutely hate it.
04-28-2021, 09:59 AM
#4
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Joined APC: Jun 2010
Posts: 631
Originally Posted by Bluto
If you’re comfortably able to do either seniority-wise and you think you might like the international lifestyle, it’s a relatively low commitment move to start with widebody B. Assuming you haven’t burned your “get out of seat lock free” upgrade card, you can try the WB and still have the ability to bug out before too long if you absolutely hate it.
Good advice! If your lifestyle can support WB B reserve pay; WB B is a perfect early retirement job! Average 1 trip per month. You give up total $$ earned, and the 4th stripe but nobody will touch your QOL (for now at least)
There is a very good reason WB B is senior to NB A, if the optimizer/reroute card gets fixed then I predict it will change again.
04-28-2021, 10:03 AM
#5
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Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: 320B
Posts: 217
Originally Posted by Bluto
If you’re comfortably able to do either seniority-wise and you think you might like the international lifestyle, it’s a relatively low commitment move to start with widebody B. Assuming you haven’t burned your “get out of seat lock free” upgrade card, you can try the WB and still have the ability to bug out before too long if you absolutely hate it.
04-28-2021, 10:14 AM
#6
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Joined APC: Nov 2020
Position: Enoch Powell Enthusiast
Posts: 2,121
Hated WB B. But, I was junior, and for 12 months 90% of my flights were to Brazil. This meant all nighters both ways; sometimes 4 in a row for the longer trips.
Europe is quite lovely, but overrated after awhile: you're really not there long enough to do much of anything.
NB A - Still get the occasional redeye, and the "over day" after a redeye still suck, but in general, much, much better on the body clock.
Personally will never bid WB anything again. I'm just not cut out for the circadian rhythm disruption. Your mileage may vary.
Europe is quite lovely, but overrated after awhile: you're really not there long enough to do much of anything.
NB A - Still get the occasional redeye, and the "over day" after a redeye still suck, but in general, much, much better on the body clock.
Personally will never bid WB anything again. I'm just not cut out for the circadian rhythm disruption. Your mileage may vary.
04-28-2021, 10:35 AM
#7
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Joined APC: Mar 2019
Posts: 931
Originally Posted by TED74
Total pay vs. pay per day of work
Schedule flexibility
Vacation needs / bidding
Ability to sleep in a bunk
Ability to function at home after time zone changes
Bid pack stability / predictability
Second family / girl friends abroad
Age of kids
Age of spouse
Age
Retirement savings
Current health / forecast health
Need for mental stimulation / challenge at work
Schedule flexibility
Vacation needs / bidding
Ability to sleep in a bunk
Ability to function at home after time zone changes
Bid pack stability / predictability
Second family / girl friends abroad
Age of kids
Age of spouse
Age
Retirement savings
Current health / forecast health
Need for mental stimulation / challenge at work
04-28-2021, 10:35 AM
#8
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Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: 320B
Posts: 217
Originally Posted by DeltaboundRedux
Hated WB B. But, I was junior, and for 12 months 90% of my flights were to Brazil. This meant all nighters both ways; sometimes 4 in a row for the longer trips.
Europe is quite lovely, but overrated after awhile: you're really not there long enough to do much of anything.
NB A - Still get the occasional redeye, and the "over day" after a redeye still suck, but in general, much, much better on the body clock.
Personally will never bid WB anything again. I'm just not cut out for the circadian rhythm disruption. Your mileage may vary.
Europe is quite lovely, but overrated after awhile: you're really not there long enough to do much of anything.
NB A - Still get the occasional redeye, and the "over day" after a redeye still suck, but in general, much, much better on the body clock.
Personally will never bid WB anything again. I'm just not cut out for the circadian rhythm disruption. Your mileage may vary.
04-28-2021, 11:10 AM
#10
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Joined APC: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,458
Pay per day and better commutes have kept me bidding WB B.
SA trips wiped me out, so I avoid those. Europe is relatively easy and Pacific was a mixed bag. SYD was brutal because of the departure/arrival times. The AM departures to HND or ICN were much better for me. The worst trips were the 7ER Pacific two hop thru HNL.
SA trips wiped me out, so I avoid those. Europe is relatively easy and Pacific was a mixed bag. SYD was brutal because of the departure/arrival times. The AM departures to HND or ICN were much better for me. The worst trips were the 7ER Pacific two hop thru HNL.
