Bahamasflyer

I've been offered an earlier class date recently and of course I jumped on it in an instant since seniority is so critical.

Of course, this is causing me to miss out on a family vacation that was planned and my family is not too thrilled, even when I explain to them all the bad things that can happen is this industry.

So I just wanted to ask all of you, especially those who've been in the 121 world for a while........

Give me some examples of big regrets that you or someone you know well has been though as a result of "taking the next class" when one had a clear cut opportunity to start earlier.

While I'm sure dodging the furlough bullet has happened, I'm sure there are other things like being on reserve an extra XXX months, being stuck commuting for a while longer, missing an upgrade by 1 or 2 seniority numbers and having to wait another year,

So.......what unfortunate events have happened by delaying just one class, or even just a few seniority numbers?

A know RickAir mentioned something pretty drastic that happened to him in the lost decade by delaying a class, but can't remember what that was....

Luckily I'm sticking to my guns and taking the earliest class I can get and not looking back!

Pilotair

When you look back on your life you will wish you had spent more time with your family. Not more time at work. At least in my opinion. Seniority is important but I’m not sure a couple months or weeks is worth missing a family vacation.

Pony Express

Asking regional pilots if they value working more over vacations is probably going to elicit some heated responses. A mainline pilot will tell you to get in class ASAP and get your seniority number, but thier QOL is so great that they could easily go on a week long vacation every month without blinking.

I agree with the poster above- vacation/ family time is important. You are going to miss so many holidays, weddings, family events, etc. once you start working. If this is an important event for your family I'd definitely suggest going. Not only will it be fun, but its a gesture to show that they matter to you- you'll need them to know that as you miss the aforementioned holidays, weddings, vacations in the future.

As far as furloughs, I wouldn't worry about that- movement at regionals these days is so fast that you build seniority quickly. Youre more likely to lose your job from your regional folding because of a major incident or loss of contracts. And when that happens, an extra 10 numbers on the seniority list wont matter- everyone of your coworkers will be on the street.

This is only based on my experience, which is limited. Only been in aviation for 10 years and only regionals/airlines for 2. Lost decade guys will probably have a different, and quite valuable input. However I think we're in a much different economic climate than back then.

at6d

Just measure the differences one seniority number can make over your lifetime.

It can mean getting or not getting a line.

Landing a vacation block or not.

Landing the domicile or not.

Landing the equipment or not.

Upgrading or not.

Being called out on reserve or not.

Being displaced from equipment or domicile or not.

Being furloughed or not.

All of these are real no matter mainline or regional.

That vacation better be worth a career span of being one number or a class of numbers more junior.

rld1k

That's no way to live your life

TheRaven

I know a guy who was stuck as an FO for several years when he didn’t upgrade before 9/11...could have held it, but once vacancies dried up, he was about 10 numbers away for several years because everyone took it ASAP from that point out.... 30 numbers could cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars over your career worst case, or it could be negligible, but there is always someone who misses something by just 1 number....is it worth it?

ninerdriver

Having your family resent your job from the start or not.

Having your family resent you for picking the job over them or not.

Weigh the pros and cons of each decision. Think about pay and QOL on the job, but also think about QOL off the job, too.

It doesn't matter much that you have weekends off or an extra $200K if you have no one to share it with... or maybe it does. No one here can tell you the right answer for you.

Excargodog

You will ALWAYS be behind the guys in front of you whether you delay a class or not.

SonicFlyer

Everything in life is a competition.

Excargodog

Momma ain’t happy then nobody’s happy.