West Coast NB B
03-11-2026 | 02:30 PM
#1
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West Coast NB B
Hoping to hear from current west coast NB B’s on their QOL and GS pickups. I went out on disability as a reserve 7ERA and will be out long enough to be able to go to a different category when I return. Was really liking the pay of just doing reserve and no extra pick ups. Weighing my options if it’s better to be a super senior B living in base on either 73 or 320 in LAX/SEA (8%-25%) or stay 7ERA. I do have to commute a long distance for 7ERA but for arguments sake want to keep the pay high. I know I know, whatever doesn’t make me commute is the best choice. But was hoping to see how much one could theoretically pull as a super senior B doing a GS or two a month. Thanks!
03-11-2026 | 04:16 PM
#2
Roll’n Thunder
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Pilot
Hoping to hear from current west coast NB B’s on their QOL and GS pickups. I went out on disability as a reserve 7ERA and will be out long enough to be able to go to a different category when I return. Was really liking the pay of just doing reserve and no extra pick ups. Weighing my options if it’s better to be a super senior B living in base on either 73 or 320 in LAX/SEA (8%-25%) or stay 7ERA. I do have to commute a long distance for 7ERA but for arguments sake want to keep the pay high. I know I know, whatever doesn’t make me commute is the best choice. But was hoping to see how much one could theoretically pull as a super senior B doing a GS or two a month. Thanks!
03-11-2026 | 04:51 PM
#3
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Not sure when you went out but if it was a while ago you'll find that reserve has changed considerably for the worse. Even moreso if you are a commuter. Every LC pilot will get SC every day that they dont have a rotation assignment until they reach the max SC for the bid period. Pre-assigned rest is screwing up the order that scheduling uses reserves so in many cases senior reserves are getting used over junior ones. As a senior NBB living in base you can outearn a commuting NBA pretty easily as long as you've got some flexibility to pick up last minute stuff for GS/QS/IA. Many in-base NBB can out earn even in-base NBA for the same or fewer days worked if you really work the system. A NBA who hustles will out earn all but the top earning NBB, but generally they'll be working more days for it.
03-11-2026 | 05:22 PM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Apr 2018
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Yes, but it's harder because coverage gets gummed up and lots of trips end up going out as quickslips with short notice reports (fine if you live close by and are flexible). And then once you have no LC days left for PB days to go on, there are no more banked PB days. They go straight to vacation days for next year.
03-11-2026 | 05:37 PM
#5
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If anyone has actual proof to the contrary of anyone fully rolling thunder for a month, I’d love to see it.
But you can certainly try to get a couple of GS/QS/IA to partially roll thunder. Obviously being senior really helps since the GS and QS are separate counters. OOB if you can get it…
And then, as noted, there is the new norm of banked PB days only eligible for supp vacation days a year+ hence…
03-11-2026 | 06:06 PM
#6
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I had to tailor my post to the definition of rolling thunder. I don't know if there's a precise definition, but to me it's wiping out entire RES blocks with premium trips, not necessarily an entire month. This can definitely be done in some categories.
Again, on second(third?) thought, is wiping out a month and banking payback days by rolling thunder even a thing anymore? Given the PB day nerf.
April bids will be interesting.
Last edited by Verdell; 03-11-2026 at 06:16 PM.
03-11-2026 | 06:19 PM
#7
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I’m not sure there is a single category where anyone is actually pulling off a true rolling thunder. Certainly not more than a single lucky outlier. It really takes bare minimum 3-4, and really 5-6 GS/QS/IA to completely knock out all your LC days.
If anyone has actual proof to the contrary of anyone fully rolling thunder for a month, I’d love to see it.
But you can certainly try to get a couple of GS/QS/IA to partially roll thunder. Obviously being senior really helps since the GS and QS are separate counters. OOB if you can get it…
And then, as noted, there is the new norm of banked PB days only eligible for supp vacation days a year+ hence…
If anyone has actual proof to the contrary of anyone fully rolling thunder for a month, I’d love to see it.
But you can certainly try to get a couple of GS/QS/IA to partially roll thunder. Obviously being senior really helps since the GS and QS are separate counters. OOB if you can get it…
And then, as noted, there is the new norm of banked PB days only eligible for supp vacation days a year+ hence…
03-11-2026 | 06:55 PM
#8
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Not sure when you went out but if it was a while ago you'll find that reserve has changed considerably for the worse. Even moreso if you are a commuter. Every LC pilot will get SC every day that they dont have a rotation assignment until they reach the max SC for the bid period. Pre-assigned rest is screwing up the order that scheduling uses reserves so in many cases senior reserves are getting used over junior ones. As a senior NBB living in base you can outearn a commuting NBA pretty easily as long as you've got some flexibility to pick up last minute stuff for GS/QS/IA. Many in-base NBB can out earn even in-base NBA for the same or fewer days worked if you really work the system. A NBA who hustles will out earn all but the top earning NBB, but generally they'll be working more days for it.
03-11-2026 | 10:30 PM
#9
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Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 1,434
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Not sure when you went out but if it was a while ago you'll find that reserve has changed considerably for the worse. Even moreso if you are a commuter. Every LC pilot will get SC every day that they dont have a rotation assignment until they reach the max SC for the bid period. Pre-assigned rest is screwing up the order that scheduling uses reserves so in many cases senior reserves are getting used over junior ones. As a senior NBB living in base you can outearn a commuting NBA pretty easily as long as you've got some flexibility to pick up last minute stuff for GS/QS/IA. Many in-base NBB can out earn even in-base NBA for the same or fewer days worked if you really work the system. A NBA who hustles will out earn all but the top earning NBB, but generally they'll be working more days for it.
03-13-2026 | 08:11 AM
#10
Back on Reserve
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 850
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Yes, only been out for a few months so very familiar with recent reserve shenanigans. Been noticing the amount of GS’s and QS’s to pilots ,much junior to me in the base I live in so was considering when I come back later this year switching to NBB to take advantage of no commuting and do GS’s to make up the difference.
The "I get to choose my category." is only if you are out for 6 months of unpaid status. The first 1-3 months that you are out (depending on sick time available) you're still on paid status, just 'out sick'.
The 6-Mo clock starts when you transition to disability. If you burn all your sick time, transition to STD and are out for 6 additional months, you can then exercise you 13.C.2. rights.
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