Prepare yourselves… 2023 AEs
07-06-2023, 03:29 PM
#3471
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2015
Position: LAX ER
Posts: 1,606
I know you know this but I’ll say it anyways… it’ll be 5 years for a new hire today to hold CA and it’ll be 8-10 years to hold widebody FO. Those who are 7,000 - 12,000 currently are consider “golden era” and those 12,000+ will be “hired at a good time but could be better.” Basically 2014-2020 vs 2021 and beyond.
Look, I’m not trying to be negative. It’s 99% what you make of it! Being a NB FO isn’t a bad life at all, especially making $200+ an hour. All I’m saying is the if you are 12,000+ and took the upgrade or WBB when you had the chance, that was an incredible move. If you didn’t take the move (seat lock, etc) then you may have missed out for a bit.
My prediction is 10,000 and senior will get what they bid sometime this year. 10,000-12,000 will require some luck. And 12,000 and beyond can count on staying put for a bit!
Look, I’m not trying to be negative. It’s 99% what you make of it! Being a NB FO isn’t a bad life at all, especially making $200+ an hour. All I’m saying is the if you are 12,000+ and took the upgrade or WBB when you had the chance, that was an incredible move. If you didn’t take the move (seat lock, etc) then you may have missed out for a bit.
My prediction is 10,000 and senior will get what they bid sometime this year. 10,000-12,000 will require some luck. And 12,000 and beyond can count on staying put for a bit!
07-06-2023, 03:43 PM
#3473
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,994
Can’t be overstated. Take the plug spot anywhere you like, and if it stinks you can leave in two or three years. Just be honest with the family what plug life/scheduling will be like because it may not improve much or at all throughout your lock. Middle-seniority folks are glad to see some fodder below them and may decide the time is right to jump in - preventing any wedges from lifting up the bottom.
07-06-2023, 03:48 PM
#3474
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2015
Position: Gramercy Riffs
Posts: 524
07-06-2023, 03:52 PM
#3475
Moderator
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Position: DAL 330
Posts: 6,990
Huge difference in being the plug on a WB vs NB. You have zero control over your schedule in either position and start planning that February vacation 
.
But, and its big but for QOL - on WB the trips the plug flies are basically the same as being flown by senior guys with minor exceptions. You will not hold three day mid week trips but you can fly the same trip over the weekend or in a 6 day variant. You also may not hold the premier destinations or most efficient trips but you will still be getting late sign ins with an early commutable release.
If you are the NB plug be ready for zero dark thirty sign-ins, possibly a midnight release, uncommutable trips, and just basically all the flying that no one else wanted.
Scoop
. But, and its big but for QOL - on WB the trips the plug flies are basically the same as being flown by senior guys with minor exceptions. You will not hold three day mid week trips but you can fly the same trip over the weekend or in a 6 day variant. You also may not hold the premier destinations or most efficient trips but you will still be getting late sign ins with an early commutable release.
If you are the NB plug be ready for zero dark thirty sign-ins, possibly a midnight release, uncommutable trips, and just basically all the flying that no one else wanted.
Scoop
07-06-2023, 04:24 PM
#3477
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2022
Posts: 633
Next AE is July 12th according to Facebook!
07-06-2023, 04:24 PM
#3478
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2015
Position: LAX ER
Posts: 1,606
Huge difference in being the plug on a WB vs NB. You have zero control over your schedule in either position and start planning that February vacation .
But, and its big but for QOL - on WB the trips the plug flies are basically the same as being flown by senior guys with minor exceptions. You will not hold three day mid week trips but you can fly the same trip over the weekend or in a 6 day variant. You also may not hold the premier destinations or most efficient trips but you will still be getting late sign ins with an early commutable release.
If you are the NB plug be ready for zero dark thirty sign-ins, possibly a midnight release, uncommutable trips, and just basically all the flying that no one else wanted.
Scoop
.But, and its big but for QOL - on WB the trips the plug flies are basically the same as being flown by senior guys with minor exceptions. You will not hold three day mid week trips but you can fly the same trip over the weekend or in a 6 day variant. You also may not hold the premier destinations or most efficient trips but you will still be getting late sign ins with an early commutable release.
If you are the NB plug be ready for zero dark thirty sign-ins, possibly a midnight release, uncommutable trips, and just basically all the flying that no one else wanted.
Scoop
07-06-2023, 05:17 PM
#3479
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2023
Posts: 114
Plug on a WB will have an exponentially greater QOL than plug on a NB. 1 leg to a 24-48 layover vs 4 legs to a 10 hour layover. Not even in the same realm. The plug NB A will just have more money to cushion the pain
07-06-2023, 05:34 PM
#3480
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2017
Position: NYC 7ERA
Posts: 2,054
Huge difference in being the plug on a WB vs NB. You have zero control over your schedule in either position and start planning that February vacation .
But, and its big but for QOL - on WB the trips the plug flies are basically the same as being flown by senior guys with minor exceptions. You will not hold three day mid week trips but you can fly the same trip over the weekend or in a 6 day variant. You also may not hold the premier destinations or most efficient trips but you will still be getting late sign ins with an early commutable release.
If you are the NB plug be ready for zero dark thirty sign-ins, possibly a midnight release, uncommutable trips, and just basically all the flying that no one else wanted.
Scoop
.But, and its big but for QOL - on WB the trips the plug flies are basically the same as being flown by senior guys with minor exceptions. You will not hold three day mid week trips but you can fly the same trip over the weekend or in a 6 day variant. You also may not hold the premier destinations or most efficient trips but you will still be getting late sign ins with an early commutable release.
If you are the NB plug be ready for zero dark thirty sign-ins, possibly a midnight release, uncommutable trips, and just basically all the flying that no one else wanted.
Scoop
I got two weeks in June. Far better than I got when I was sub 50% in the ER right seat. (NYC Both airplanes)
There's no guarantee that your vacation will suck as a 90+% guy nor will it not be crap as a sub 50% guy.
FWIW, the last year I bid for vacation in the right seat of the ER, I got two weeks in Feb and March, non consecutive, but it didn't matter, because that's exactly when training sent me to 320 IQ.
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