If so many of our FOs “can easily make as much as a junior captain”, I think I’m going to stop buying so many dinners and rounds at the bar. This seems to be a frequent phrase across all forums these days. Outside of half wingers, I’ll refrain from always grabbing the bill going forward.

good, I personally don’t like it when captains pay for my dinner and always tell them I don’t want them to. I find it weird that even though I make a good amount of money, our culture is to buy the FO dinner. If I can’t afford the steak, then I’m not gonna buy it. If I catch a captains mistake inflight and he in return offers to buy me a beer, sure. Other than that, I can budget myself appropriately.. I can see the exception for half wingers though.

Good Point, Broncofan. I rarely had captains buy dinner when I was an FO but times were different and most of these captains, due to my base and equipment, were weirdos. I have always enjoyed treating others, especially if I weighed in on the restaurant etc. Never made a deal of it just grabbed the tab at the end and paid. That way the FAs and FOs ordered what they really wanted expecting to pay for it themselves. Times are different now. Everyone can be a captain and FOs are all there by choice many openly make fun of junior NB captains (which I was for a decade) and their decision to be on reserve or commute etc. Hearing that often has soured my feelings and even made me feel like a chump for having made such poor decisions over the years (In the eyes of these 3 year FOs “bypassing captain “). Just like captains in years past should have given some thought to showing FOs pictures of their “stuff” and bragging about income, maybe mid to senior seniority FOs should think twice before making comments about people who are choosing (or chose years ago) to take captain bids.

Those that live in base and work the system are doing very well. They have no plans on giving up seniority to “upgrade” into equal or even less pay. I do like the culture of watching out for the half wingers, but there isn’t a requirement or expectation to go beyond that. Owing beers when caught making mistakes is a hard rule though. I seem to buy a bunch of beer for a guy that doesn’t drink.

I buy dinner/drinks if the FO has a good attitude during the first leg regardless of years of employment. If the attitude is a bit sour/negative then normally I won’t even bother going out with them at all. If they say “no thanks” for me treating then we just pay our parts… no harm no foul.

Along with the extra stripe don’t forget the hordes of groupies and adoration from the pope.

You can sometimes work the system and make great money as an in-base senior FO, but as we all know the sun isn’t always shining. Taking an upgrade is a guarantee for the higher income every month at the loss of some schedule control. At the end of the day everyone’s situation is different. I do hope nobody is chasing the left seat for their ego, but this job certainly does have a way of attracting a certain type.

We don't have so many of these FOs. They are the minority, but just the ones you hear about the most. Most are earning much less than you and doing their best to keep your flights running smooth and save your bacon. So feel free to show your appreciation. We have too many cheap captains out there, don't be one of them!

The things you learn on APC! I always thought the smooth running flights and bacon saving were a team effort.

😂Nothing quite wakes the FOs up like the threat of paying for your own beer.😂