I'm wondering if any guys on the property can give their perspective on initial equipment bidding for someone who does not commute (ATL here). I've always heard the aim should be for the junior airplane to improve quality of life asap, but after having looked at the junior 76er schedules I'm thinking that wouldn't be half bad. I understand that there is a pretty low chance of having this option anyway, but with a good ss# I'd just like to ponder all my options prior to filling out the sheet.

Additionally, I'm trying to wrap my head around the effect of 2nd year pay being higher on the big equipment vs the increased possibility of picking up flying (whether white or green slip) if on the 88. Is this a realistic benefit of bidding the 88 that is not as readily available on the 76er?

 

In my opinion if you were to get ATL 7ER as your fist aircraft it will only be a matter of time before you are displaced off it. I think by winter time they will end up bumping the junior guys out, that is unless a lot of the senior FOs bid to narrow body CA spots. As far as the ability to pick up green slips that will be a great possibility on the 88 or the 320, currently they are flowing like water. I would guess if you get the 7ER you will see none and on the 73N very little. To white slip you must be a line holder and your best shot at doing that is going to be on the 717 or M88. Just my take, I'm sure someone else will chime in.

 

I'd agree with that and add be very cautious about "the ER schedules" when junior. Its not "Paris, First Class, International" anymore. The category is mostly domestic and the international that's left is largely Malaria belt and red eyes south, SVO in the winter, etc. You will occasionally score a premium trip, but there is a very good reason why a new hire could even theoretically be in a position to get that seat: being junior in it sucks. Bad.

You may hear legend and lore about junior pilots in that seat during periods of significant overstaffing (not that long ago actually) and their tales of long call at home for weeks, but you won't be breaking off a piece of that. Like someone said, you have a high chance of being displaced, and if you're not, you will continually be pushed down. More "junior" planes will net you advancement, QOL and earning opportunities far, far in excess of being junior in an ER seat. There's a reason the bottom is so junior in an otherwise senior plane.

 

Thank you both for the insight.

 

Personally, I would go for the 88 or 717. You are going to have new hires coming in behind you on those planes which will increase your relative seniority. If you bid something like the 7ER, then you can expect to stay at the bottom for years. I got hired on the 757 and stayed at the bottom until I got displaced. I went right into holding a line on the 88 and able to at least have some control over my schedule.

 

That's almost 8 regional FO's. Sad but true.

 

No way am I marrying 8 regional FOs! I don't care how good my retirement would be.

 

If your going to have a headache you may as well have a migraine

As a plus we have a salt lake base that might allow for that... if its your thang!

 

Don't count greenslips until you get one. A couple years ago I averaged 2 a month for the year. Even got picky and restricted the first one to 2+ days. The past 2 years I've had 3-4 total.

The trips on the 75/76 are way better, and actually on reserve you'll fly better trips than a junior lineholder. Pretty much true system wide, the bottom lineholders get the worst trips and can't get rid of them. You'll be somewhat less abused on the bottom of the ER. If you can pull up some schedules, check the bottom few guys in each category, look at the trips they are assigned and the # days worked.

Having said all that, you should probably go to the 88. It's a matter of time before you get displaced from a piece of equipment where you're the plug. I've been displaced 4 times, the walk of shame to the training dept sux.

 

The schoolhouse isn't so bad.
Where else can you sit in a steel box and be tortured all day?