It’s nice to have the choice to do that, especially with our vacation bids where the top 30% take every good week in the first round or two, and your left with two weeks you wanted and three that are worthless!

 

Thanks, that’s similar to UAL, depending much on aircraft and seat of course.

 

What’s the value of seniority without bidding power? The top dog should get first pick building a line, picking up premium pay, equipment, seat, and vacation. If the senior pilots want to bid 6 weeks in a row in the middle of summer, or take all of the good stuff in the first round, they’ve done the time to earn that privilege. After one builds seniority in the right seat of a NB, everything from then on is a choice. They can hold onto super seniority in their seat, or they can sacrifice some of that bidding power to change equipment or seats. The senior should be able to bid vacation how they please and also sleep easy knowing that they never have to work another holiday or family day since they can simply monthly bid to avoid those days. They had to wait to be senior enough to get the good stuff, and it isn’t unfair to expect others to play the same game.

 

FWIW at UAL, my last year on the 777 I averaged 103hrs if credit a month and worked an average of 11.6 days a month.

 

No argument but I’ve worked under better systems, I have 20 years on the property can’t touch summer, our old system used to hold back some weeks for each of the 4 vacation bid cycles, spread things out among the seniority list a little so guys would still get at least a good week or two before they put in 25 years. With that said there’s still an easy way to get a paid week or two off of your choice, it’s a simple click away on PBS. When I was very new a senior guy thought me your always one phone call away from a better schedule.

 

Speak for yourself.. the crew meals are fine. And yeah, they're important.

Most of our meals are first class meals or similar.. What more do you want?

The snacks are indeed weak.

 

Not everyone has put in the time that equates to their seniority.

 

Then those people don’t get the good stuff. The seniority system rewards longevity and everyone doesn’t get a trophy. Those with the seniority to get the good stuff now put up with the leftovers getting there. Not everyone gets to be a captain, not everyone can fly the 777 or 787, not everyone gets the good vacation slots, and very few can pull off all three at the same time.

Anyway, this doesn’t have much to do with picking United or Delta. Both are great places to be, however they are only as good as their current contract and management team. If I had an offer from both I’d go with the one with a big base that I’d want to live in or that I could easily commute to. Both companies are great places to be and should be around for a long time. Decide where you want to live and enjoy a great ride.

 

What’s the point when bidding closes in late Spring, too late to commit to vacation plans. Latest blastmail dispelled the “myth” (their word): it’s easier for the company to do it this way.

 

Our current vacation calendar year is probably one of the dumbest things we have in our contract.

Doing the bidding in September for a Jan 1st - Dec 31 makes a hell of a lot more sense.