Prepare Yourselves... 2026 AEs
02-15-2026 | 07:32 AM
#531
Leaves Biscoff crumbs
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,265
Likes: 941
From: Blue Juice Taste Tester
Absolutely! I completely agree. The SS and 23M7 programs definitely need a leveling mechanism. While seniority has its advantages, it becomes problematic when someone is unable to fly (7) 23M7 or can drop their entire schedule to accommodate 23M7 farming, followed by three SS. This should be distributed more evenly.
"Senior should get first pick at his slice of pizza, not take the whole pie" has been a sentiment that I've noticed gaining more and more traction since the 23M7 thing started. And no I'm not just flying with or talking exclusively to other junior people.
02-15-2026 | 08:00 AM
#532
Can’t find crew pickup
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 3,066
Likes: 210
[QUOTE=Abouttime2fish;4003696]
I completely disagree, because it depends on which step of coverage. 23M7 for a WS is supposed to go towards credit and they can fill up for the month (they haven’t been abiding by this BYW). For a GS, however, there is no “credit” so the number there is infinite.
Again, you get M7 for a 3 day, you should be ineligible for any more for the next 3 since you were already harmed those 3 days and were paid for it.
Not all who advocate for leveling or other things like that are junior. Especially with 23M7. One pilot getting 7 trips in one day when they could have only flown 1 isn’t a function of seniority, it bypasses the seniority of the second through seventh in that scenario despite them being very senior as well.
The other way to think of it is that guy is done for the month, next one up to bat.
The other way to think of it is that guy is done for the month, next one up to bat.
Again, you get M7 for a 3 day, you should be ineligible for any more for the next 3 since you were already harmed those 3 days and were paid for it.
02-15-2026 | 08:35 AM
#533
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 2,294
Likes: 1,203
I think long term senior stepped on a dollar to make a dime. If the contract surveys had gone out today, I'm willing to bet you'd see a lot more advocating for leveling mechanisms. Most pilots across the seniority spectrum are not happy to see the coverage ladder jammed up by pilots utilizing a contract clause meant to be a penalty, not a legitimate method of extracting value.
"Senior should get first pick at his slice of pizza, not take the whole pie" has been a sentiment that I've noticed gaining more and more traction since the 23M7 thing started. And no I'm not just flying with or talking exclusively to other junior people.
"Senior should get first pick at his slice of pizza, not take the whole pie" has been a sentiment that I've noticed gaining more and more traction since the 23M7 thing started. And no I'm not just flying with or talking exclusively to other junior people.
What you won’t see, even now, is broad support for drop leveling. That would be an industry first that would negate a longstanding, industry accepted definition of what seniority entails. You won’t see more than about 25% support for that across the pilot group.
02-15-2026 | 08:44 AM
#534
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 4,156
Likes: 587
I agree. And GS are more short notice whereas SS have to soak and are much further out, so I think it's honestly a good balance to have both and keep them how they are.
02-15-2026 | 08:47 AM
#535
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 2,294
Likes: 1,203
Our current contract is more than fair to those who choose to be junior in category (as well as the small percentage who are forced to).
02-15-2026 | 10:11 AM
#536
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,836
Likes: 175
From: window seat
[QUOTE=Whoopsmybad;4003705]Agreed. This needs an immediate LOA and is not Section 6 “leverage” because someone will get paid regardless. It’s asinine that someone would get a bunch of bypass entitlement pay over the same footprint. If you’re “victimized” by not getting that 3 day (that odds are you would never have done anyway lol but I digress) and you’re paid for it, you should be locked out of anything for that footprint plus any PWA/FAR conflicts after it. The next guy should get that pay, not you again and again and again over the same days.
02-15-2026 | 10:12 AM
#537
Can’t find crew pickup
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 3,066
Likes: 210
Leveling and/or counters need to happen. Senior can get first pick, then number 2 can have his first pick, and so forth, before senior gets his second bite at the apple. They are already going to have a massive advantage by being able to drop trips and have room for them where Junior is stuck without the ability to drop trips and have room. There, seniority honored.
02-15-2026 | 10:24 AM
#538
Leaves Biscoff crumbs
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,265
Likes: 941
From: Blue Juice Taste Tester
Nobody stepped on anything. Yes, 23M7 leveling has relatively broad support and will likely be seen in some form in the next contract. At that point “senior” will simply bid your category, then continue making the same dollar.
What you won’t see, even now, is broad support for drop leveling. That would be an industry first that would negate a longstanding, industry accepted definition of what seniority entails. You won’t see more than about 25% support for that across the pilot group.
What you won’t see, even now, is broad support for drop leveling. That would be an industry first that would negate a longstanding, industry accepted definition of what seniority entails. You won’t see more than about 25% support for that across the pilot group.
02-15-2026 | 10:34 AM
#539
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 2,294
Likes: 1,203
Should senior pilots only be allowed to hold one “Gucci” trip every month, after which their next PBS-awarded trip must be a 5-day full of Florida turns in order to give a captain with 3 years on property the next Gucci trip?
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