Late career advice
04-03-2026 | 07:36 AM
#11
Speed, Power, Accuracy
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,796
Likes: 9
From: PIC
04-03-2026 | 09:58 AM
#12
Mmmm wine
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 1,802
Likes: 358
From: The Jet
We get the same amount of vacation time, and most of the airline industry can work fewer days a month than the NJA guys. If you have even a little bit of seniority, you can stack your vacation just like you can at NJA to get the amount of time off.
It feels cool being on the 7/7 and bidding vacation, but you can easily do that on PBS at the airlines. Mileage varies, but it is doable. Hell, it is very doable (and I have done it) to stack two months in such a way that I have a month off without using a single day of vacation. NJA cannot do that.
04-03-2026 | 02:30 PM
#13
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,418
Likes: 120
From: Window seat
You can get 2 weeks off every 30 days by bidding the 'end of month' time off. Ten days is almost guaranteed. Two weeks is common, senior guys can get 3 weeks.
Six times a year...with zero vacation days used.
Getting 3 weeks off with a week's vacation stretches 3 of those 6 2 week vacations into 3 weeks vacation. So with 3 weeks vacation you can get 3 x 3 weeks off and 3 x 2 weeks off.
Fractionals don't offer that flexibility.
Six times a year...with zero vacation days used.
Getting 3 weeks off with a week's vacation stretches 3 of those 6 2 week vacations into 3 weeks vacation. So with 3 weeks vacation you can get 3 x 3 weeks off and 3 x 2 weeks off.
Fractionals don't offer that flexibility.
04-04-2026 | 06:07 AM
#14
Line Holder
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 502
Likes: 12
At the Fractional that I work at we are 7 on 7 off so a one week vacation turns into 3 weeks off. Also twice a year (more with the approval of the Chief Pilot) we can move a rotation up to 7 days which will give you 2 more consecutive weeks off. At the 121 I previously worked at the best we could do was to turn one week of vacation into two. But then you had to work every weekend the remainder of the month.
04-04-2026 | 07:10 AM
#15
Mmmm wine
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 1,802
Likes: 358
From: The Jet
At the Fractional that I work at we are 7 on 7 off so a one week vacation turns into 3 weeks off. Also twice a year (more with the approval of the Chief Pilot) we can move a rotation up to 7 days which will give you 2 more consecutive weeks off. At the 121 I previously worked at the best we could do was to turn one week of vacation into two. But then you had to work every weekend the remainder of the month.
04-06-2026 | 12:44 PM
#19
On Reserve
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: B767 FO
04-06-2026 | 01:49 PM
#20
Speed, Power, Accuracy
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,796
Likes: 9
From: PIC
Well, I've had more than one look at me funny when I tell them I take 35 straight off pretty much every year without having to spend hours on a computer bidding, dropping, adding, or sick calling trips. 🤷🏼♂️. One bid in July, back to back vacays, it's awesome.
Next year I plan to bid back to back in September and then back to back in October. 70 days off. Different vacation bidding years and totally compliant with the contract. I'm calling it "retirement practice."
Next year I plan to bid back to back in September and then back to back in October. 70 days off. Different vacation bidding years and totally compliant with the contract. I'm calling it "retirement practice."
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