I'm pretty sure (but it was a long time ago) that when I was hired (1985) the cap was 75, all year. I think the flex up to 82 came along later, maybe 1991 or 1996? We also had bow wave and spill back to handle the over/under, but the only way you got paid more than 75 was with a greenslip.

Oh, and we had about 30% of every category on reserve before PBS. We are down to less than 20% now. That also helped stagnation, as more pilots are flying more time, and can pick up to ALV +15, obviously we need fewer pilots.

You are correct sir. PBS was intended to only have 10% on reserve when it was initially proposed. The company intended to cover shortages with white and green slips. They appear to be working toward that with the MD-88 and A320. I have a friend in the right seat of the 777, hired in early 88, who is going to gross well over 300k this year.

I won't make that myself this year, but I have been thinking about bidding right seat on it, just so I can be Number 1 in something! The problem with that is, you have to fly a lot of greenslips as a senior F/O, to break $300K, and 38% of that is going straight to Uncle Sam, and my other problem with greenslips is, you have to show up and fly them!

I prefer to stay home and go sailing on my off days, rather than rush to the airport for yet another 5-8 day trip.

I don't want to work that hard.

the cap would be great, I'd rather get 75 hours on the 73N sitting at 80% then fly 83 on the awesome glass pup at 70%.

but I couldn't imagine how unglued so many pilots would become if they couldn't fly to the max limits.

we are our own worst enemies.

Guys are talking about the company wanting to buy back the vactions on the A320 Capt. but the Company would have to hire at least another 1000 pilots tomorrow if we counted all vacation time towards the ALV +15 white slip cap.

As it is now, after the initial bid run, you can white slip all your vacation time back onto your line, effectively negating your vacation completely. Yes, you get paid more, but yes, you are going to stagnate more too.

Everyone is doing it, and then crying about the stagnation it causes....

I'd guess that at least half the newbies will have to go to the 717...

As an 88.Capt I'm still making $45 an hours less than C2K rates.

In fact, this is the first year I'm making more than the old 767 FO rate.

In addition, pension gone.....

Yes I'm a deadzoner.

Would like to retire before 65 so hasing greenies, white slips, ans swaps is the only way to get it done.

It's a good example because it is a joke. (and the carrier exists to take care of the fighters)

Precisely. We already have vacation sellback, albeit it's a two step process. Most pilots, from what I've seen, fly a full month when they have vacation. Sadly to say, I'm one of them.