PS> I'm not saying it's a bad thing AE captains haven't left for other companies yet, just to fly a bigger jet...I don't think there is anything wrong with flying an RJ your whole life if you've got good schedules and decent captain pay.

 

I've mentioned the fact that SJS isn't confined to piston pilots looking at RJs, but that it includes flying heavy iron. AE Captains DO want flow through to happen, in fact, that's why they're still sticking around, but they aren't willing to completely sacrifice their QOL to do so. While this doesn't necessarily apply to all AE pilots, it's still a good perspective. As an FO or even a young CA, it's easy to say "I would easily take the $20k-30k pay cut in hopes that I'd make more in the near future", but the reality of loans, mortgages, paying for school for kids, etc etc etc sometimes make that $20k paycut unintelligent. Not to mention the fact that you'll be junior again, and that rather than picking all your trips to fit your personal/family life, you get what you get.

And anyway, WN upgrade is about 6 years right now, dipping slightly below 6 in BWI, MDW, and OAK.