Prepare Yourselves... 2026 AEs
04-23-2026 | 05:38 AM
#871
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 12,547
Likes: 1,155
not to be dour, but is it worth observing that some
of those 2400 could be intended as hostages for company negotiation leverage? As time goes by more staffing = less need to make changes to the contract = less incentive to make a deal w the pilot group. Is this an incorrect assessment? Hope so
of those 2400 could be intended as hostages for company negotiation leverage? As time goes by more staffing = less need to make changes to the contract = less incentive to make a deal w the pilot group. Is this an incorrect assessment? Hope so
04-23-2026 | 05:53 AM
#872
Thread Starter
Moderator
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 8,354
Likes: 1,379
1. Need to be able to bid a reserve schedule with days off at end of the month so the PB days go to the bank
2. Need to be able to get a GS.
3. Need to be able to bid or obtain a high value day or find someone senior with to “wash” without having someone more senior to myself with a blanket slip in for that particular high value day rotation.
all of those might be easy for someone in the top whatever percent it cuts off at.
But for someone at 80-90% in category it is very difficult to line all of that up.
Add in a commute (my choice yes I know) to reserve- it’s just not high on list of ways to earn money.
I am not saying the company is right in taking it away or any pilots are at fault for working the system. I am just saying it didn’t really ever come close to benefiting me, so that’s why I don’t think they will come back nor do I think they should try to get it back in a future PWA at the expense of some other benefit. I guess put the blame on the union for having a hierarchy of where banked PB days go in the current PWA that company has “interpreted” they can skip steps on. I really hope the next PWA is done in complete absolutes with less options and “company may” wording.
2. Need to be able to get a GS.
3. Need to be able to bid or obtain a high value day or find someone senior with to “wash” without having someone more senior to myself with a blanket slip in for that particular high value day rotation.
all of those might be easy for someone in the top whatever percent it cuts off at.
But for someone at 80-90% in category it is very difficult to line all of that up.
Add in a commute (my choice yes I know) to reserve- it’s just not high on list of ways to earn money.
I am not saying the company is right in taking it away or any pilots are at fault for working the system. I am just saying it didn’t really ever come close to benefiting me, so that’s why I don’t think they will come back nor do I think they should try to get it back in a future PWA at the expense of some other benefit. I guess put the blame on the union for having a hierarchy of where banked PB days go in the current PWA that company has “interpreted” they can skip steps on. I really hope the next PWA is done in complete absolutes with less options and “company may” wording.
1. Note I said “anyone with banked PB days…” I would also argue that over the course of a year, getting the end of the month off is 100% doable, if that’s what you want.
2. Again, “anyone with banked PB days”. The hardest spot to be in the last year has actually been the middle. IA’s still produce PB days…. But again, I get your point.
3. Not that hard. There are always high credit 1-day trips on the swap board. Heck, there were even multiple high credit 1-day trips in open time in the largest category in the company this month. Crazy, I know. I swapped into more than a couple of them via PCS.
I guess my point is that what it really takes is a little know-how. I get that individual circumstances like commuting make parts of that harder, but it can be done by anyone at any seniority. The easiest part is the actual “transaction”.
04-23-2026 | 05:58 AM
#873
.
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,530
Likes: 697
1. Need to be able to bid a reserve schedule with days off at end of the month so the PB days go to the bank
2. Need to be able to get a GS.
3. Need to be able to bid or obtain a high value day or find someone senior with to “wash” without having someone more senior to myself with a blanket slip in for that particular high value day rotation.
all of those might be easy for someone in the top whatever percent it cuts off at.
But for someone at 80-90% in category it is very difficult to line all of that up.
Add in a commute (my choice yes I know) to reserve- it’s just not high on list of ways to earn money.
I am not saying the company is right in taking it away or any pilots are at fault for working the system. I am just saying it didn’t really ever come close to benefiting me, so that’s why I don’t think they will come back nor do I think they should try to get it back in a future PWA at the expense of some other benefit. I guess put the blame on the union for having a hierarchy of where banked PB days go in the current PWA that company has “interpreted” they can skip steps on. I really hope the next PWA is done in complete absolutes with less options and “company may” wording.
2. Need to be able to get a GS.
3. Need to be able to bid or obtain a high value day or find someone senior with to “wash” without having someone more senior to myself with a blanket slip in for that particular high value day rotation.
all of those might be easy for someone in the top whatever percent it cuts off at.
But for someone at 80-90% in category it is very difficult to line all of that up.
Add in a commute (my choice yes I know) to reserve- it’s just not high on list of ways to earn money.
I am not saying the company is right in taking it away or any pilots are at fault for working the system. I am just saying it didn’t really ever come close to benefiting me, so that’s why I don’t think they will come back nor do I think they should try to get it back in a future PWA at the expense of some other benefit. I guess put the blame on the union for having a hierarchy of where banked PB days go in the current PWA that company has “interpreted” they can skip steps on. I really hope the next PWA is done in complete absolutes with less options and “company may” wording.
I banked another 10 or so in 2025 as a 75% 7ERA living in base. 2024 I was out sick a lot so didn't bank any but if I wasn't having multiple surgeries I would have banked 10+ again.
It's not just the top 10% or all of a some oddball category.
Without looking at the list, I think 320 and 7ER are the two largest fleets (in the ERs case, in the bases that have it)
So its not like Im super senior or in some oddball niche category where it doesn't take much to make the house of cards collapse.
I am 50% company seniority. I'm 47. I'm pretty close to "median delta pilot" I've banked PB days as a 7ERB commuter pre Covid, 320A commuter post Covid and 7ERA local.
This isn't just a few vocal super senior guys bitching. I've already said "pass" on a QS because of it. I'll probably do the same again. Basically for me to pick up any premium those month its gotta be something I'd have white slipped anyway (Europe, Islands or cake) or not require me to cross the Hudson (so EWR charter)
04-23-2026 | 06:06 AM
#874
Roll’n Thunder
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 5,179
Likes: 594
From: Pilot
1. Need to be able to bid a reserve schedule with days off at end of the month so the PB days go to the bank
2. Need to be able to get a GS.
3. Need to be able to bid or obtain a high value day or find someone senior with to “wash” without having someone more senior to myself with a blanket slip in for that particular high value day rotation.
all of those might be easy for someone in the top whatever percent it cuts off at.
But for someone at 80-90% in category it is very difficult to line all of that up.
Add in a commute (my choice yes I know) to reserve- it’s just not high on list of ways to earn money.
I am not saying the company is right in taking it away or any pilots are at fault for working the system. I am just saying it didn’t really ever come close to benefiting me, so that’s why I don’t think they will come back nor do I think they should try to get it back in a future PWA at the expense of some other benefit. I guess put the blame on the union for having a hierarchy of where banked PB days go in the current PWA that company has “interpreted” they can skip steps on. I really hope the next PWA is done in complete absolutes with less options and “company may” wording.
2. Need to be able to get a GS.
3. Need to be able to bid or obtain a high value day or find someone senior with to “wash” without having someone more senior to myself with a blanket slip in for that particular high value day rotation.
all of those might be easy for someone in the top whatever percent it cuts off at.
But for someone at 80-90% in category it is very difficult to line all of that up.
Add in a commute (my choice yes I know) to reserve- it’s just not high on list of ways to earn money.
I am not saying the company is right in taking it away or any pilots are at fault for working the system. I am just saying it didn’t really ever come close to benefiting me, so that’s why I don’t think they will come back nor do I think they should try to get it back in a future PWA at the expense of some other benefit. I guess put the blame on the union for having a hierarchy of where banked PB days go in the current PWA that company has “interpreted” they can skip steps on. I really hope the next PWA is done in complete absolutes with less options and “company may” wording.
04-23-2026 | 06:28 AM
#875
Line Holder
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 260
Likes: 157
Ok. Ignore the loud warning sirens and continue living in fantasy land. Folks did the same thing with COVID until Trump shut off European flying. We'll revisit this post after Trump bans exports of diesel, jet fuel and gasoline
https://x.com/i/status/2046962518556377535
https://x.com/i/status/2046962518556377535
04-23-2026 | 06:52 AM
#876
Line Holder
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,324
Likes: 53
Ok. Ignore the loud warning sirens and continue living in fantasy land. Folks did the same thing with COVID until Trump shut off European flying. We'll revisit this post after Trump bans exports of diesel, jet fuel and gasoline
https://x.com/i/status/2046962518556377535
https://x.com/i/status/2046962518556377535
04-23-2026 | 07:06 AM
#877
Line Holder
Joined: Sep 2025
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 896
1. Need to be able to bid a reserve schedule with days off at end of the month so the PB days go to the bank
2. Need to be able to get a GS.
3. Need to be able to bid or obtain a high value day or find someone senior with to “wash” without having someone more senior to myself with a blanket slip in for that particular high value day rotation.
all of those might be easy for someone in the top whatever percent it cuts off at.
But for someone at 80-90% in category it is very difficult to line all of that up.
Add in a commute (my choice yes I know) to reserve- it’s just not high on list of ways to earn money.
I am not saying the company is right in taking it away or any pilots are at fault for working the system. I am just saying it didn’t really ever come close to benefiting me, so that’s why I don’t think they will come back nor do I think they should try to get it back in a future PWA at the expense of some other benefit. I guess put the blame on the union for having a hierarchy of where banked PB days go in the current PWA that company has “interpreted” they can skip steps on. I really hope the next PWA is done in complete absolutes with less options and “company may” wording.
2. Need to be able to get a GS.
3. Need to be able to bid or obtain a high value day or find someone senior with to “wash” without having someone more senior to myself with a blanket slip in for that particular high value day rotation.
all of those might be easy for someone in the top whatever percent it cuts off at.
But for someone at 80-90% in category it is very difficult to line all of that up.
Add in a commute (my choice yes I know) to reserve- it’s just not high on list of ways to earn money.
I am not saying the company is right in taking it away or any pilots are at fault for working the system. I am just saying it didn’t really ever come close to benefiting me, so that’s why I don’t think they will come back nor do I think they should try to get it back in a future PWA at the expense of some other benefit. I guess put the blame on the union for having a hierarchy of where banked PB days go in the current PWA that company has “interpreted” they can skip steps on. I really hope the next PWA is done in complete absolutes with less options and “company may” wording.
04-23-2026 | 07:32 AM
#878
On Reserve
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 116
Likes: 7
A side effect of this change by the company will likely be reserve going more junior and lines going more senior. THAT affects EVERYONE, not just those playing the PB “game.”
04-23-2026 | 07:38 AM
#879
Line Holder
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 244
Likes: 82
If you’re a commuter and like bidding a line rather than sitting reserve, PB day washing for sure benefitted you - as a result of more senior pilots bidding reserve rather than lines.
A side effect of this change by the company will likely be reserve going more junior and lines going more senior. THAT affects EVERYONE, not just those playing the PB “game.”
A side effect of this change by the company will likely be reserve going more junior and lines going more senior. THAT affects EVERYONE, not just those playing the PB “game.”
I do agree with this. I think reserve will trend more junior with the current situation. Thanks for bringing up a secondary result that I had not really considered
04-23-2026 | 07:38 AM
#880
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 4,026
Likes: 217
From: Looking left
April SIL shows junior Capt is April 2023 hire with 13,8xx seniority number.
13.8K out of 17.4K total list = 79%
Since 2018, attrition has been average of just under 700 per year.
So for someone hired right Meow, how long would it take them to reach just 79% of the total list:
17.4 - 13.8 = 3.6
3.6 / 700 = 5.1 years
13.8K out of 17.4K total list = 79%
Since 2018, attrition has been average of just under 700 per year.
So for someone hired right Meow, how long would it take them to reach just 79% of the total list:
17.4 - 13.8 = 3.6
3.6 / 700 = 5.1 years
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