maddogmax

Just my 2 cents from an old retired guy. When you are unfortunate enough to fly with a CA who is a jerk, try to take it as a learning lesson on how not to act when you move to the left seat. Also remember, not all the jerks are in the left seat, there are some who are in the right seat. The ones that are a jerk in the left seat were probably one in the right seat. They don't include a "how to be a jerk" video when you upgrade.

Peoloto

3 320
10 717
11 737
12 88
All NYC

NoDeskJob

Thank you. That was fast.

DALMD88FO

Offended no, amused at a guy that has shyrocketing seniority complaining about "stagnating" in a aircraft that has historically been senior (73N) while already attaining over 20% off the bottom in the category in less than 2 years.

TNDeltaFlyboy

For crying out loud. It wasn't complaining. I was simply drawing a contrasting picture to someone else's post about rapid movement in all categories. Yes, I had a "sky rocketing" ride all the way up to 80% in less than a year. But, to repeat myself to make my point again, I have not moved since November and will not until at least this August. Compared to what happened my first year, yes, anyone with common sense can argue that's stagnation when others in several other categories are still seeing high movement. As Mike and I have said, this is all based on relative perspective. You're choosing to see it as complaining.

Scoop

Seriously? You even mention in your post that everything is relative but then proceed to disregard it.

When a 2000 hire who moved forward for less than two years, then backward for two years, then furloughed, then "stagnant" for the next five finds it amusing that guys who don't advance in three or four months consider it stagnation feel free to consider the "relativeness" of the situation.

Just so I have it correct - The guys who point out that four months with no advancement are the "crybabies?" IMHO part of the information flow from some of the more senior Pilots is pointing out that four months with no advancement is to be expected, is not a big deal, and will happen quite frequently in this career.

Scoop

rbigred300

If you get 717 or 88s out of NYC, about how long right now before you get to "really good" seniority and what would you consider that...top 20%? At that point what are the true benefits? People say it gives you the power to choose weekends off or holidays off...I'm guessing you can also choose where you are going and to some extent what hours you are flying. An example of a good seniority trip/line would be great. Also if you have great seniority and you choose a reserve line does that mean you fly less or would that actually make your schedule worse for you than if you picked your line? I'm just trying to get an idea of how good life can be when you are senior on a junior aircraft. I'm sure it's always tempting to chase the money but for me QOL would be much more important.

Ray Red

20% in NYC 717 is 11/14 hire (15 months)
20% NYC M88 is a 5/14 hire (21 months)

Big E 757

I would say 50-60% is good seniority. You can get holidays off and have some control of your schedule. Mostly commutable trips, less than 3 legs a day, etc. I've looked at the 717 bid packet in NYC and I don't know if you'd be able to get all commutable trips on that catagory (Fugly trips).

I've never been much above 40% so can't comment on what life is like up in the nose bleeds. I'm around 47% in my catagory and can tell you life is pretty good. I can hold weekends off, get any holiday off, and get a summer vacation, get near Christmas vacation and then slide my vacation over Christmas during the monthly PBS bidding...etc.

Even at the 60% range, you can bid reserve during a holiday month to get holidays off.

I used to want to hold Captain as soon as I could but unfortunately, after 16 years here, that opportunity didn't present itself until the past year or two. Now, with young kids and a working wife, my priorities have changed and being a junior captain isn't as important as QOL. I can make up the difference in pay over the summer with some creative strategery, but i have to kick QOL out the door to do it.

If you're new, I'd log into deltanet and look at the NYC M88 and 717 bid packets and look at all the trips with commutability and legs per day in mind. Even though the M88 pays a little more, I think guys prefer the 717 so sitting on the MD88 might help you move up faster. I've got 5+ years on the Maddog and it's not that bad. It's old and tired but you get used to it. The only thing I hated about the airplane is that it was hot and sweaty in the summer time. The good new is, you're so busy on the ground, you don't realize you're uncomfortable until you're airborne. The good new is, if you're on it long enough, you'll start to grow a third arm on the left side, which comes in handy if you ever want to be a professional juggler or want to join the circus.

Good luck with the decision, you're only seat

Flycameron

If those same percentages hold true for the March 7th class, the drop could look something like;

3 320
6 717
7 737
8 88