of course rules could swing more to benefit the pilots QoL… but apparently not enough union backing to change it over the last 20 years. I have had days off rolled to the right… but doesn’t happen enough to concern me.

you sure told me … enjoy your GR

Cool man. You’re def 6% worthy. Happy Holidays…

mmmmm unaugmented late night departures over the ocean. No thanks.

Beauty of this job is everyone gets to pick their own level of pain… the favorite complaint that you are forced into reserve is no longer valid except for new hires. Jeez, Even new hires can bid out by selecting Captain after a year.

Look at the bid packages. Very few Redeyes for LAX/SFO 756. Hawaii and transcons (EWR/BOS). Virtually no Redeyes at all, and the ones they have had have been the LAX-IAH that get in at 2am pacific time, so not really a redeye.

I’m not sure what you’re saying, but if you bid CA after finishing probation you will be stuck for many years on reserve. Right now it looks like on almost all fleets you’re a line holder coming off of probation. So basically only for your first year there’s no choice to be not on reserve.

True for NBs

One of the better snowmobile spots near me gets good enough service to sit reserve from and it’s a lot better on a Tuesday than when the parking lot is full on Saturdays. 130/hr more buys better toys and hopefully the ability to not have to play airline captain until 65. But to each their own as you said.

I can see the case for taking the early upgrade if you are willing to choose money over control of your schedule. Probably a good plan would be to be a NB CA a couple years and using the money to pay off debt or invest, and then you can be a WB FO. Although I doubt many do this since once they taste the CA money, it will be hard to become an FO again imho (golden handcuffs).

But the thought of being on Reserve for years, even as a local guy, turns me off from taking the upgrade. Especially as a junior CA with less chance of picking the days off you want and I have noticed CA side is shorter staffing wise, thus a higher chance of flying on reserve. Although the guys taking the upgrade now might be timing it good should the new contract make reserve 10x better. Interesting 1st world problem to have.