Ask again in 5 days. We get a new seniority list on 07/01 and should be able to tell you the current most junior captain. Of course there will still be people in the training pipeline but it will be close.

The last one for the entire fleet was 1.5 years 76 and just shy of 2 for the 74 last summer/fall. There was a bid last month for just the 777 and it was ridiculously senior (at least one single digit guy).

Honestly, if you're looking at K4 for a quick upgrade. You'll be terribly disappointed.

Why do you say this?

I am not the normal airline guy. I am looking to change out of a .gov job, late in life and have to make sure the $ work out before I age out. As long as it is around 4 years I am still good...

The airline has already doubled in size since I was hired in 2016, 747's are harder to acquire which means slowed growth, and simulator time for 76 and 77 is in high demand creating backlogs. Should we aquire five to ten more 77's, everyone currently on property will have a relatively quick upgrade, should they want to do it. For some one not yet hired, my crystal ball is very cloudy. I just don't know. As others have said, upgrading here is a more in-depth decision than say a regional. You may get your quick upgrade, and maybe you'll not want to take it? The pay as an FO is good enough for many that it isn't a decision based on finances.

Be aware that the most junior captain has many FO's senior to him who have passed on upgrade for various reasons. Those people could choose to take a bid at any time.

They can bid, but can’t be awarded unless there is a vacancy.
Some may do so, but I get the impression that others are professional FOs or are too close to retirement to bother.

Hey, if QOL is good and you’re making an easy 6 figures, why rush the upgrade?

I don’t disagree. But the difference I see in schedule between a senior and junior captain isn’t as great as what I saw at other airlines.

Honestly the only difference between a junior and senior captain is the ability to bid lines that are worth more than 64 hours. Right now the higher value lines seem to be DHL, so the junior guys tend to do Turkish and China.