Do I take the upgrade?
 

Hello- I received my CJO last week. Pending this TA passes as expected and they offer me the upgrade what would my schedule and QOL look like? My background is 20 years of military flying so I’m used to missing holidays and weekends. Do I just rip the bandaid off and jump in? Or is that horrible idea? My number one priority is to be based out of DCA/IAD. Thanks!

You’ve spent 20 years being deployed and missing out on time with your family. You also have a pension that resolves many of the pay discrepancies between the seats. Given the chance, bid right seat on the NB of your choice, gain seniority and control of your schedule, and enjoy time spent with those you care about. This is just a job, and different aircraft and upgrades will still be available when you decide that the time and seniority is right.

the company won’t be able to offer upgrade to a new hire until sometime next summer.

they have said they can’t get the programming complete for all the new reserve rules until August.

You will be hired as an FO and will be able to make the upgrade choice sometime next fall. Don’t stress

I guess what I meant was I feel any schedule is better than what I’ve been used to in the military. Would that not be the case? Thanks for the advice. Much appreciated.

I wouldn’t… if goal is DC then bid 737, 320 or 756.

The schedule of a bottom seniority captain might be better than what you had in the military, but the schedule of a FO who is gaining relative seniority will far exceed that. Anyone taking or being assigned new hire captain slots will be on reserve for a long time while others bid on top of them. New hire FO’s are quickly gaining relative seniority, don’t spend very long on reserve, and are gaining more control of their schedules. Slow down, maximize time at home with those you care about, and enjoy the ride.

As already mentioned though, you won’t have to worry about being assigned a captain slot. It won’t be a thing for a while yet.

This is incorrect, and has been corrected many times. They can force new hires into captain as soon as the TA passes. The new hires cannot START CAPTAIN TRAINING until the new reserve rules are implemented. The new hires need 350 hours in type and complete the probation checkride. This will conveniently coincide to be about August 2024 when we will see the first new hire captains meet this requirement.

I feel most people never made it passed section 3 and retro when looking at the TA.

you want to point to that exact language in the LOA?