Very true. Granted it was about 10 years ago, but I voluntarily chose to leave the MD for the 757. While there was a pay hit, it wasn’t nearly as big I thought. Went from Reserve on the MD to line holder on the 75. Gaining seniority when it came to monthly bids, training bids, vacations and gain in overall QOL was well worth the loss of pay. One of the best decisions I’ve made at FDX.

Are long international deadheads in business or coach?

That's still more total money if you're on the 767... Plus you can work extra if you're living in Memphis on Reserve without exhausting yourself.

To be clear I'd recommend the move if you're on anything other than the 777. To me the 777 is clearly best for commuters. You can be home as much as you want on any of the airplanes if you move to Memphis...

Not that life is bad in the Right seat of the 757... You will work less days on a line but those days will be rough days unless you're pretty senior. On Reserve in any seat if they don't use you much your wife will probably kick you out of the house to fly extra if you live in Memphis... Just my opinion.

If you really want to control your schedule or bid specific double dead heads as a commuter then the 757 probably is a better option because you will be in the top half of the list within a year. The 777 list is loaded with guys at the top who don't want to upgrade and give up their seniority.

Business. You won't see those unless you're on the 777.

Or intl on the MD.

Not if you work the same number of days. If you work the same 15 days on the 757, you will make more. Then you get to pick what trips you want to fly rather than being given pot luck on reserve.

To each his own. I'm just shocked at how many new hires are chasing dollars and working 18+ days in a 4 week month. Of course I see several mid seniority captains doing the same thing. That doesn't bode well for our upcoming contract negotiations.

The best part of my job is I generally get paid to commute. Instead of begging for the jumpseat to JFK or MSP the day before or after a trip, If I have a DH I buy ticket with bank money from where I am to where the company requires me. If I don’t have a DH I book a JS on us a few weeks out and don’t sweat it.

Commuting used to stress me out and probably took a couple years off my life.

Not here.

I’m weird though, I’m on the bus.

Both.

-UA

Often when our tickets are purchased business is sold out

What would the QOL look like with a drive from Nashville? Wouldn’t you still need to commute into Memphis or is it close enough to sit reserve from home?