Worst day on the A350 trumps the best day on the 7ER by a factor of 10 or so. Ask me how I know. This thought in the context of 7ER Pacific flying gone (not counting the Hawaii trips, which are coming to a NEO near you soon) , maybe a few token Euro trips from the West Coast domiciles, with an assumption that 350 destinations will diversify and the CV-19 restrictions on layover will slacken.

If you're going to do red eyes, might as well go large and get 7 hrs. average daily credit, good food and 4 Star hotels. Even without G/S action, the 350 annual pay is not fully represented by the hourly rate. As a 350/B, took me little effort to top my 7ER/A earnings, even with minimal PCS variety during the pandemic. Is a 15 hour block brutal? Yes, but you're never in the seat more than 3:30; easier than slogging through the night on your way to San Jose (not the one in California) or Guat City.

 

You bid the 220 correct?

 

It's hard for me to see a REG 350B easily beating out a REG 7ERA without a lot of Greenslips or bidding with LCP trip drops and pickup on top.

RSV A I know all bets are off as I'm substantially beating out my 717A pay as a 73NB but that's also because of 6+ days of GS pay a month

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Alright, since nobody else is going to bite…how do you know??

 

I think the missing factor in your equation is the efficiencies in the A350 flying. For an equal number of flying days per month, the W-2 is about the same for 350B/7ERA. You have to be able to count on a 92 hour monthly average to make it work, but that ends up being about one descent white slip every two months. Lots of trip credit means you don't generally run up on FAR117 issue. Gotta watch the FRMS though. Add in the easier commutes and the higher relative seniority on the 350, and the QOL is far superior.

HD

 

From a commuter standpoint I see where you're coming from. Makes sense. Live in base with decent seniority it's a harder sell. 7ERA is a 350k+ a year job for most in base guys. 400k+ this year with guys in ATL doing 3+ GSs

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I did. Mainly due to top 5% seniority Still an advocate for the 350/B - leaving only because of a very personal family situation that makes SYD untenable with the AU government's handling of the pandemic, no end in sight.

 

I could lay out the numbers, but that's probably poor form. It always astounds me too. Starting with S/O on the 747-200 beating DC-9 captain handilly (at NW of course) with better lifestyle/days off, it's always been a better deal on WB aircraft. In truth, I made more as 7ER/A than 744/B, but barely. Dollars per day, WB always wins. I did a pretty hard grind as ER capt. and did well ... but just coasting along in the 350 right seat is a cash machine. I think I've had two GS in 1.5 years. Could have had a lot more, but chose to be somewhat of a slacker.

 

Not in poor form at all. Our payrates are public knowledge due to APC. Agree 100% that dollar per day WB always wins. It's a near perfect job for a Commuter. Moreover, a REG 350B definitely beats a RSV 7ERA being flown to just to ALV each month.

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NoDeskJob pretty much nailed it. The 320 is a very easy, very comfortable workspace. But performance wise it is...uninspiring, the 321 especially so. The brakes are always hot. Rather than purposefully CLIMBING to cruise altitude, it gently drifts aloft with the urgency of an old Frenchman headed to his favorite cafe on a lazy afternoon. It feels like Airbus looked at performance certification requirements as guidelines rather than the bare minimum needed to get it certified. Just a little more wing, a little more power and a little more brakes and it'd be a vastly superior airplane. And for the love of god, brighten up the screens! Just my two cents.