It's all a crapshoot. I would take the one you don't have to commute for.

I have been at F9 for over a year and have no regrets. I do live in base. If I went to a regional because first year pay was 5-10k more I'm not sure if I would feel the same. We have issues here but if you come here and don't know what your getting into it's your own fault.

Not entirely true. I probably had that RSV scenario twice. I wouldn’t call it routine unless you don’t know what you’re doing during a bid. Because of our PBS system, being Jr. and on RSV can be a drag. You will get all the junk that no one else wants. The contract limits the number of single solitary days off… at least 6 days off must be grouped together (2x3 days off, 3x2days off, 6 days off in a row, etc). So, in a month with minimum 12 days off, you could have 6 solitary days off.

But with a little seniority, things start working out real well. Nature of PBS… benefits the more senior guys, makes the jr. guys cry! F9 is line bidding, right? I have been here 1.5 years… My non-vacation month: 18 days off, 4 days off over Thanksgiving, 2 groups of three days off, 4 groups of two days off… I don’t work more than 2 days in a row. Vacation month: I worked 5 days.

Anyone considering a regional over F9, or any ULCC for the matter, is foolish. Especially with the timing of your negotiations! Hang in there boys; it will pay off. It got real hopeless here for a bit, so we understand. We are watching and hoping you get something awesome… more leverage for us next round ;)

The law may allow a company to administer their open enrollment through 'active' participation, but law does not require it to be so. My two former companies rolled you over into your previous year options unless you choose to make different elections.

Just got called for the phone interview yesterday after applying 6 months ago, and never updated, no job fair, no silver bullet. Company rep was upfront about the training contract, and wanted to make sure I was aware of first year pay. Also told me upgrade was 2 yr (didn't believe it), and offered me an interview in 2 weeks. Assuming worst case, (stagnation, and no contract for several years) it would take me to yr 6 FO just to get back to what I'm making now at a narrow body supplemental. I REALLY want to be able to get in on a good thing, but not sure I can endure the financial pain in the interim. The saying "if if's and but's were candy and nuts, we'd all be happy at Christmas" keeps popping into my head.

and FWIW: 9000+ TT, 1000 jet/650 pic, 5300TP pic

Precisely, it is entirely optional for the company. And it's not coincidence when large sums of money are involved - they're betting a small but significant amount of employees will forget to enroll. The same goes for the "working spouse surcharge," it is obvious they want your spouse off Frontier benefits plan BUT furthermore they're hoping you'll combine onto your spouse's plan at their company, relieving Frontier from sharing benefit costs for your family all together!
And they've made the decision easy for you, because our plans stink!

Yes...Thanks you!! They choose to make it active hoping someone will forget. But on the flip side, you can save money but giving them and the insurance company your health details (mark my word that will bite someone someday). And wow...what about that pet insurance?? Sweet!!!

With those flight hours and $38 bucks an hour. Yup do it.

Says the guy who counts his wife's income as his total pay.
Just think, after she leaves you for a Delta or Fedex pilot, you will be back to $66k, lol

You're too easy gramps. Are you sad that your paycheck can't afford any divorced women?

Now back to embarrassing you.

Gave you two incomes examples not one.

You said I have a MBA. Nope I don't.

Shall I continue to make you look bad?

Gramps, lol. Sorry not old enough for that. Wasn't that interested in your "education" and misread one of your put down threads. You would think that with a masters, you would be doing better than your $66k especially in California. You still paying back those student loans or did mom and dad hand you it all?
Me embarrassed? You are too funny.