People, People! We have the easiest job until we don’t; the hardest part of this job is to become a senior captain for the majority of your airline career. Pay, vacation, schedule, which equals quality of life, is only possible being high on a seniority list in this line of work. Never jump from a list unless it’s from a regional, or the airline is furloughing while all or most airlines are hiring. Don’t ever voluntarily leave a list unless you believe that is a list you wouldn’t mind spending your career on. The last 30 years, especially since 9/11 has proven how un wise it is to hop around from list to list. It blew my mind when pilots with projected senior captain longevity for many years ahead left to become junior FOs once again only to expose themselves to another predictable industry downturn. Seniority is all we have in the airline industry; complaining about what your life is because you lack seniority in seat or base is pathetic. If you chose wisely, the problems you’re experiencing with ‘your today’s downturn’ won’t be as impactful next time because you’ll have seniority on your side. Be happy you’re here, and hopefully your seniority keeps you receiving a pay check once Oct 1 rears it’s ugly head.

i don’t even understand this post. Are you saying you predicted this downturn?

No one can predict a downturn to a specific date, but only an idiot wouldn’t expect an eventual downturn or several downturns in a 40+ career. Only join a major airline list you want to forever remain on. Seniority is the only buffer you have against eventual, predictable, and historical dark years the airline industry reliably delivers. The happiest pilot, is a pilot that spends his airline career on one list for 30+ years. Jumping around will get you screwed. Complaining about how your seniority isn’t affording you x,y, and z during a downturn should solidify the ramifications of the airline seniority system. If you stay on the same list, next go around it won’t be you complaining; but if you jump around it will be you every time with every downturn. Chill on the complaining and learn from the life lesson.

Trade your days away. Probably plenty of local people willing to pick them up.

This is all spot on, until your airline goes under then it doesn't matter how much seniority you have. There is something to be said for working at an airline that is "too big to fail." Even if you get furloughed from UAL/DAL/AA/SWA you will most likely have an airline to come back to.

Is every single trip really a day trip? How about things like DTW-LAX? Only way to make that work would be with a deadhead one way.

that’s how ord works to lax - 8h 44 min day trip - fly out deadhead back or vice versa.

The LAX turns in April we’re working both flights. Now in May you will either fly first then DH back, or DH out and fly back.

Yeah thats what those guys say that work for Pan Am, TWA, Eastern.....oh wait....

He did say "most likely" so...