I have kind of been trying to point that out. Shoot he may well be a captain or a line holding wide body F/O in 5 years if things go like I think they will.

No kidding. They just announced another monthly vacancy bid with a bunch more 747 FO openings plus 767 and A-320.

As the retirements keep happening its going to keep moving, so 5 year 747 co-pilot is completely possible.

With that question, moving forward are we going to do a monthly vacancy bid like now or adopt the CAL way and do them only twice a year?

Pilot's Wife, listen to what cadetdriver is saying. The security of your present quality of life is an illusion. I can't tell you how many times I've heard the story of guys passing up the majors for the exact reasons you've given only to have the rug pulled out from under them a few years later. An airline with the stature of UAL hasn't gone Chapter 7 since the Lorenzo days in the 80s and is ridiculously unlikely now. Two of the larger regionals have gone under in the last seven years. This isn't major airline pilot arrogance, it's just reality and I hate to see people make bad decisions when the choice is so black and white. You have the chance to get in on the front end of a hiring curve which may make the difference between furlough and upgrade and literally hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of your career. Change is tough, but the choice is obvious to all.

We will transition to the UA style vacancy bidding immediately after ISL

The three most important things in an airline pilot's life are :

1. SENIORITY
2. SENIORITY
3. SENIORITY

Just remember that ever day that goes by and someone else is hired, is another number you're BEHIND for the rest of your career. Only ONE number can cost you a lot of money over the longrun. I think you've made your decision (should be a joint one since you'll BOTH have to live with it), so go with it and don't look back. Hope to see your husband on line soon!:)

You're right. He should stay where he's at and give the rest of us who would kill for that phone call the chance to go. ;)

Didn't they hire directly into the 747 back in the 90's?

No. 747 FO HNL went unfilled, but they didn't pass that on to new hires. Only 767 FOs. They just kept rebidding it when widebodies went unfilled.

What, vacancies on the 747???? CAL guys better be able to bid on these!! They better not be awarded out of seniority!! This is going to wreak havoc on CAL pilot emotions if they can't bid it!

JP I'm sure is all over it.

Aren't you worried about not being able to bid the 320?