True. But if the economy takes that big a blow we all will take an FDP hit. That or we furlough again. Neither good.

If people don't understand the contract then that's on them. Especially after four years on property. Tell your friends to take ownership of their careers and read the contract. Personally I'm much happier seeing people have that choice versus the years when one couldn't hold large cabin FO unless they were senior enough to hold Captain on a smaller fleet. We have a lot of 0eople here now, apparently you included, who never had to experience that.

Negative? How so? They want to hire 700 next year and upgrade 400. If someone is 250 from upgrade why would they reset the seat lock that's already almost 2 years in? Ideally an upgrade in current fleet would mean no seat lock at all, then count down the remainder of the 39 months until a more desirable airframe comes up for grabs. That's my plan at least. Of course the music could stop at any time, but I'll remain cautiously optimistic and take my chances. I'd say that's being positive if anything.

I’ve heard the number 3 tossed around several times now as years a newhire will wait for upgrade at the current pace of hiring and upgrades.

3 years.

It could happen. I hope it happens, but I certainly wouldn't come here expecting or needing the 3 year upgrade. A bad economy could easily change the upgrade train once again. Lack of ability to hire could also slow things way down. Management deciding they don't want to pay up could easily force them to change the entire growth plan and prolong upgrades. So many variables can change this. I'm happy to see things looking good for upgrades now, but this isn't something to bank on and I won't be selling anyone on the job based on the possibility of a faster than normal upgrade. I honestly wouldn't be selling the job now even with fast upgrades, especially with management's decision to fight with the union even before negotiations on an updated contract.

Economy would affect airlines first.

We’re sold out of capacity for all of 2023 and much of 2024.

It sounds like our economy is more self made for those years that a business dependent on ticket sales per flight.

how could they not be aware of this, after 4 years at the company? that's basic company/contract knowledge. That's why some chose to stay in fleet and wait for the near upgrade while others don't care and go for the QOL and experience on the GLC fleets.

It could happen and should happen in the future if we continue to grow as per company forecast and see retirement departures. But I am starting Year 4 and I am maybe a year from upgrade, could come closer if they really upgrade 400 in 2023.

I hear you. Some people just show up and do the job without having a little knowledge of the contract. Just like some people take a job without doing any research. I remember when I interviewed and there were some retired airline guys who thought they would come in right away and get the 52 day schedule.
I know some would say people who don’t know the contract get what they deserve but it doesn’t cost me anything to say something.

Yeah and it was a couple months when I got hired. 13 years later it finally happened. Only a fool would count on the calculations for an upgrade at an operator that does not have an age limitation.