Airhoss

So the answer for me is;

I could have briefly held captain in SFO at 3 or 4 years seniority.

I did upgrade at 11 years seniority (2008 LAX 320) and held it for 22 months before getting B’slapped back to the right seat in 2010.

I was at 21 years seniority before I could hold the left seat in DEN on the bus when I took the bid.

So the answer is it depends and it changes.

hummingbear

That’s actually an excellent predictive answer.

Profane Kahuna

Very informative, thank you!

KnightNight

Any ideas when next bid will be?

bigboeings

Probably be a while lots of unfilled slots already and tons of training backlog

Broncofan

so one poster said 2 years wasn’t enough, now 5 years isn’t enough, so how much is an appropriate amount of “suck” that one must endure to meet the standards of asking a reasonable question about what airplane/ base could potentially be available to a new hire? You know just questions about his personal future, no big deal.

hummingbear

I’d be very reluctant to complain to most pilots on property about a 2-5 year upgrade or 3 years at regional. That said, most would not begrudge you asking a simple question, either. It all comes down to nuance & that’s very hard to communicate in online chats. You’ll find a lot of guys will project their expectations of your entitlement onto your seniority progression based questions. Don’t let it bother you. It’s your life & your career so go after whatever useful information you can without letting anyone else ruffle your feathers.

Hoss’ personal story is a great example of why guys who have been in the industry a while roll their eyes at young guys trying to map out their career expectations during a boom period. This industry ebbs & flows pretty dramatically, and very few get to ride the crest through their entire career. The more you talk to guys in the industry, the more you’ll find most (not all) airline pilots end up with somewhat similar stories. I’d encourage anyone newer to the industry or the airline to listen to as many of these stories as you can.

The takeaway: Expect ups & downs. You’re never safe just because you’re up & you’re not necessarily out just because you’re down. Enjoy the good times, but live so you can survive the bad times. Only stick with it because it’s what you love, and if you’re only in it for the money, for heaven’s sake, quit now & go to dental school.

Broncofan

no I’ve been at United for 7 years now, and seven years at a regional prior to that, I get how it works, it’s just irritating how the veterans are so against anyone trying to figure out what their future might hold as a new hire when all they are trying to do is gather info. Of coarse things change, but you can try and gather what info you can and seeing if your hopes are attainable.

Birddog

If you want the cash $$$$, bid CA to SFO/EWR as soon as you're a line holder there and then Poach DCA, ORD, IAH DEN and LAX.

#EMFH

CousinEddie

Yeah yawn. The point being, new hires I’ve flown with are concerned about learning the job in the right seat. That’s the focus. I’ve never heard one start forecasting their upgrade date.