Serious question here...why is it a big deal to upgrade? It seems like FOs are being hired that go out of their way to volunteer with WAI, OBAP, ALPA etc and those who expand their horizons by doing sim instruction and safety department work. If upgrading and TPIC were the magic keycards so sought after than every captain would be picked up, especially the seasoned regional CAs. Not saying that upgrading is not important, but it's only a piece of a gigantic puzzle that makes one competitive for a legacy and once all an applicant's cards align, upgrading might score enough points on one's application to warrant an interview. People are chasing the upgrade and still not getting an interview. Best just to have a mindset of signing up to fly, and if one makes it to a legacy one day, good for them.... It won't happen for everyone, and so don't expect too much is the best strategy for career happiness....

 

Having money is nice.

 

True...plus the authority that comes along with it. Nice having the other guy match your style instead of you matching theirs. Still not opting for the first upgrade in DTW, though.

 

Some pick QOL, some want TPIC, some want $$$

There are plenty of reasons to upgrade and plenty to stay in the right seat.

 

This is more senior fos perpetuating this idea. Is it required? Of course not. But ask anybody at delta or ua how many in their new hire have no tpic. It's still incredibly difficult to get hired without tpic.

Just because your heard of Joe Bob getting hired without it doesn't mean it's the norm.

 

Does insurance kick in for a new-hire right from the get go when they begin class?

 

Health insurance kicks in after three months.

 

That's great and all, but you can do all that volunteer and instructor stuff (mostly) regardless of seat position. The Captain pay checks are larger as well, and the experience IMO is worth it.

 

I thought I was a pretty decent pilot until I upgraded.... the amount I've learned about the job and myself in the last month has easily surpassed the last few years of right seat flying and I've always gone out of my way to learn regardless of being an FO.

 

You kids get off my lawn!