Delta2heavy

I apologize if this has been talked about before, heck I may have even already asked this question on past ae but I think there is a chance of me actually being awarded something this time. For those who have done both, living in a delta base, what did you find better, being senior on domestic narrow body or being junior, maybe very junior on a widebody?

sailingfun

Can’t be really answered unless we know your priorities.
Max time off?
Max pay?
Weekends off?
Big blocks of time off?
Ect...

LeineLodge

Depends on what you like. I’ve been the plug and I’ve also been number 1, both as a commuter and also living in the shadow of the airport.

Every category has their “good deals” and you’ll have better access to them the more senior you are. For example, I really enjoyed sitting senior reserve when my kids were really little (not flying much). As a junior reserve I would’ve been flying a lot more. That doesn’t even get into the nuances of REG pilots (weekends, green slips, etc)

I’d suggest looking at whatever categories you’re considering and compare your likely QOL’s. If the worst trips in the WB category are tolerable to you, then decide if that looks better (including pay differences) than being able to cherry pick the “best” trips in the NB category.

I will say, I think I waited way too long to move over; overvaluing super seniority on the NB vs decent seniority doing intl. YMMV. Nice to have choices for everyone here lately. Good luck!

4fans

Well you could answer it and say what you liked better about one or the other. I know as a relatively newish guy that my perspective has changed several times on what is important to me based on different philosophies that various captains I have flown with over the last few years have taken the time to explain. I’m also someone with this same question in mind.

LeineLodge

To add on, frequently reserve pilots fly (on average) better trips than junior line holders. The reason being junior line holders are definitely going to fly the crappier trips while reserves will get a mixed bag when stuff drops into open time (irops, senior sick call, whatever)

Just me, but I wouldn’t bid to a commute where I would have to sit reserve. Being in base opens up more options and QOL by making reserve a tolerable (sometimes even enjoyable) setup.

One final thought, take a look back and see where the unstacking level is for your new category. If you’re frequently getting forced into weekends/holidays and that’s a priority for you, then it’s not going to be fun being junior. If you’re above the unstacking line (which changes month to month) then you’ll have a better QOL, especially on reserve as you’ll be on X days during weekends & holidays (higher sick calls, more reserve usage, etc)

iaflyer

I've done both (and didn't commute) - the money is better on the wide body, even being more junior on reserve. But above about 85-90% in category (on the widebody) you're going to be working more regularly (because likely going to be working weekends, whether reserve or line holder). But if you can sit reserve M-F you're less likely to work (outside the summer, in the summer, everyone on a widebody flies)

Being pretty senior on a narrow body was nice, I got very good trips that went to places I wanted to go, and paid good hours for the days flown. What was also nice in my base was either bidding or WS one day trips that paid well. (8 hr turns to the caribbean for example).

Gunfighter

Additonal considerations (with answers):

Vacation Bidding - Seniority rules, but unless you can hold Christmas/Summer on the NB side you won't notice.

WB reserve in the winter is a good deal if you live in base. If you are junior and commute, you may get a line, because of all the senior guys bidding reserve. Heck I'm a WB B commuter and occasionally bid reserve.

Finally - If you have never tried WB B, give it a shot. I've seen some pilots who hate it and leave at the first opportunity, including taking a NB A just to get out. Others wait too long to discover they love the long trips and international destinations. Worst case is you are stuck in a seat you don't like for a few AE cycles.

Delta2heavy

You are totally right, I could have asked the question better
I have really good control over my schedule now but as I look at the international schedules it’s seems like almost everyone top to bottom is getting roughly the same schedule of two weekends off a month.
Pay is obviously higher but I like quality of life more than money
I do enjoy big blocks of time off, I tend to not like working a 4 day almost every week in the summer especially, and in the winter I struggle finding open time to keep the credit up.
Finances 68.5 hours as a block holder is fine on 330/350 or 72 as a reserve is fine, I won’t need any green slips
I have young kids, christmas is important but I don’t know if one day per year is worth it, my current schedule has always been terrible in December trying to get it off. Day before or after would be fine I think.
Hope this helps

Denny Crane

Reading the above, to me, it really sounds like you should try the WB-B. (Not including the 7ER).

As far as getting Xmas off being junior on a WB, from my experience (albeit as a junior in category WB-A) it can be done fairly easily using vacation, IVD's and your APD. This last year I had a week of vacation in December and moved/slid it to the second week. I could not get it over Xmas. But with the use of an IVD and my APD I was able to narrow my on call days down to Dec. 24, 25, 26. Other than something popping up last minute there were no trips I could be assigned. The shortest trip in my category was 4 days. Other than something popping up last minute I was golden. You do have to pay attention to longer trips that can be broken up but that's easily doable. I was home for this last Xmas and every year I have been on the 330 (about 5).

Denny

Delta2heavy

Thank you for your post