I predict everyone from this class will be able to leave NYC on the bid that is expected in Mar/Apr.

I agree. You'll be able to bid out on the next AE. But it *could* take up to a year to convert!!

Waiting on conversion or waiting to bid? For 17 months he must have got an aircraft that is in MSP so he can't use the 1 year seat lock exception if it's the latter?

NYC 737 right out of training

Yeah 737 is more senior in MSP than the 320. His seniority should hold MSP... just not on the 737.

He actually got MSP on the last AE in 2018...now he’s just waiting to convert.

Great for him then. Better to be waiting to convert and know it's coming than waiting for a bid where you hope you can hold it!

This is a common misconception perpetuated by this forum. If you want to transfer to another base as a new hire the seat lock is one year regardless of what equipment might be in that base. If you don’t hold your current equipment in that base you can bid on and be awarded any other equipment you can hold after 12 months on any given bid. It was negotiated this way to insure the 2 year lock never trapped a new hire in a base he did not want longer than 12 months.

An entry level pilot will incur a 24-month category freeze. Exception two: A pilot who is in the last 12 months of such category freeze may be awarded an AE or VD to another base for which qualification training is required if he is unable to be awarded an AE or VD to such base in his current position in a given posting. In such event, the balance of his existing category freeze will be added to the category freeze resulting from the new position award.
Example one: An entry level pilot is assigned to the NYC B-767/B-757 First Officer category. In the last 12 months of his category freeze, an AE is posted including vacancies of SLC A-321/320/319 First Officer and B-767/B-757 First Officer. His seniority permits him to be awarded SLC A-321/320/319 First Officer but not SLC B- 767/B-757 First Officer. He may be awarded SLC A-321/320/319 First Officer from such posting.

Example two: An entry level pilot is assigned to the NYC B-767/B-757 First Officer category. In the last 12 months of his category freeze, an AE is posted including a vacancy of SLC A-321/320/319 First Officer but not of SLC B-767/B-757 First Officer. His seniority permits him to be awarded SLC A-321/320/319 First Officer. He may be awarded SLC A-321/320/319 First Officer from such posting.

Had he bid the other equipment he would have been awarded it. See my other post.

Perhaps, he has had his fill of Virginia Avenue and is avoiding a plane change and the accompanying additional seat lock.