Tsk tsk, I never said DEN would be doing all the flying nor did I think it. I try not to state what I think everyone already knows. Here's an interesting comparison though. Right now in the right seat I'm at roughly 51% in 737 DEN for Feb vs. 59% in IAH. If growth in flying at DEN was evenly allocated between all the hubs DEN would likely see the most movement in seniority (after LAX). Why? It is the smallest hub (after LAX). And frankly, I'd wager that DEN would get the largest individual portion of the flying regardless as this would be the more efficient thing to do. Remember the announcement of growth in "Out and Back" flying from our hubs several years back? Not real efficient to do such flying with crews from other bases (and yes, I'm sure crews from other bases do at least some of it).

I'm sure DEN will still rank as a senior base even after all those gates are put to use, but IAH and ORD (where I'd be at 55%) are looking pretty stagnant/constrained the next few years. Kirby and his ilk keep talking about growing our mid-continent hubs, and DEN is the obvious place for that. There are rumors of another international destination possibly coming for DEN too. Time will tell, but I think the fastest ticket off reserve for the OP would easily be DEN.

We've made amazing strides coming off the J-Lo era, but efficiency and how an airline staffs trips/ID's isn't a similar/same mindset between pilots and Willis tower, Elk Grove, Smith street, what have you.

And that would be great. But is has NOTHING to do with DEN becoming junior. I mean, a "WB" (even if lumped into 756) slot in DEN being junior, REALLY? Sure, the amount of feed that has to increase to support that destination goes up, etc. But that additinal airbus from DSM/CID/OKC/RAP/BOI/GEG or wherever may not be flown by a DEN based crew. Let alone if its supplemented to (insert regional feeder here)

Ask "Airhoss" how that worked out for him.

Simple. Join the ranks of the Poachers. Bid SFO left seat and after 1300 the day prior Poach trips in ORD, DEN and IAH. You will get a better line and better vacation as a bonus.

I don't find it to be that bad. Live in Den and commute to LA on the Guppy. However, I started out in SFO and that sucked. The commute to SFO was terrible with 20 years seniority in the back. I have a crash pad in LA and find myself cycling more than flying when on reserve. I aggressively pickup early short calls to avoid red eyes. 50% of the time I hold a line and find that to be more painful than sitting reserve...red eyes and late arrivals that prevent you from getting home. Don't have to show before 10am on your first day of reserve. Most of the time you're catching the 10am flight home on the last day. Every now and then they'll pin you down with something that'll get your panties in wad on the last day...FDO or a short call. Don't get me wrong, there are times when I'll tell the schedulers, you can't do that! Unfortunately they can. Got to know the rules...they do. Last summer I was flying 25-30 hours getting paid for 76 (due to short calls). Line holders were getting paid for 76 and flying 76. Should be a slot opening up in LA in March as I head back to Den. Good luck.

Nothing stopping you from doing the same if you think it’s so easy

Again, I did not say DEN was going to become "junior" ("will still rank as a senior base" is what I said just last night). In my original post, I just wanted to make sure the OP was aware that all things being equal NB reserve wise that DEN was looking like the better option for getting off reserve. I think the OP has been around long enough that he understands how unpredictable this business is. I've been around less than him and I know it could take just a wee outbreak to finally send the economy into reverse and obliterate movement for years. I also know there are lots of WB commuters from DEN to SFO whose future plans are unknown. When we get a new contract, if we were to allow the company to use retirees as TK instructors I also know it would hurt DEN seniority.

What I did not know until I specifically looked at it yesterday was that my737 FO seniority in DEN is now actually better than it is in IAH or ORD (setting aside the smaller amount of flying overall). Why is that? I'd hazard because DEN has grown in recent years and ORD/IAH have not. Enough with the thread drift for heaven's sake.

Is anyone going to try and directly answer the OP's question: How is NB CA reserve life in DEN vs. ORD?

Thanks for all of the input to those who replied. Yes I’ve been around the airline game for a long time, but had been out on furlough doing corporate flying up until last summer. So I’ve been trying to get back up to speed on all of this and I stopped trying guess what any airline is going to do because it’s always a crap shoot and I never seem to guess correctly.
I can hold 777 or 787 SFO or EWR, and the 19-20 days off scheds would be nice, but that 2 leg commute....ugh.
From the sound of it taking a DEN or ORD captain bid and being on reserve would not be pleasant. Doing a 2 leg to LAX and holding a line on the guppy would also not be very appealing bidding at 75% or so.

Why do you think I'm not a Poacher already? I'm just offering the original poster an option other than bidding reserve in DEN or ORD.

reserve on any fleet is supposed to be "short term."
So bid what you want, and don't bid what you don't want.

If it looks like you'll be on reserve for more than 18 months, I would think twice about it.

Just about everyone can stand on their head for a year. Once you push a year and a half it's hard to do.

Currently on RSV as a Bus captain in EWR. Live in base (about 2 hours away) so I can sit short call at home. But I will echo the sentiments of other respondents that “long call” is a rarity. I’m always converted to a short call or field standby. I try to aggressively pickup a Newark trip to prevent going to LGA (drive sux) but will take a short call over field standby (that needs to go in the next contract). I would never consider doing this if I didn’t live in base. It’s “do-able” for me since all the kids are grown and don’t “need” a predictable schedule. Just my 2 cents.