webecheck

ok, a 2nd yr guy, sure that pay makes sense. I’m thinking a 4-8yr WB FO for my argument, because those are the real junior Capts. I guess we could have a few people still on 2nd yr pay and done with Capt OE, but the window I’m talking about (and the one I’m in) has me working less days and making more money. The QoL difference is drastic. There’s a reason so many people bid back once the seat lock is up. As for credit, I’ve routinely been getting 100+.

A person with 2yrs on property is now under 70% on the 777 at SFO and I presume EWR too, but haven’t looked it up for them.

Lastly, the 5-6 SCs only pay if you don’t get used. On the Nb, you're getting used.

ugleeual

OP was asking about what to do after starting year two… that was why my example covered 2nd year pay. I would agree other factors come into play when you have 5+ years on property… especially in this hiring climate. Agree with SC… however the OP said he/she lived locally… so if he/she could get call out pay (1-2:15 from assignment) they’d also make 1 to 2 ours of add pay per SC used. I’m on the 756 and bid reserve rather than a crappy domestic line… and out of my 5-6 SCs a month I might get used for one of them… really depends on base/fleet.

webecheck

I had typed a reply, but decided best not to disclose some of these details because the company needs to solve the unfilled Capt problem, not the pilots/union. In my experience, and the data from 2 of my close friends who are 2nd yr WB FOs, the QoL difference is drastic, and the money is too good for them to consider bidding Capt. My mores senior peers that had a taste of Nb are all waiting for seat locks to be up. Fwiw.

You’re 56 out of west coast or den? I’d imagine the reserve/SC usage/QoL is different considering the nature of the 56 operations on the west. True?

Reserve is definitely a gamble. When I first got on the WB it was about a 1 trip per month avg and around 3-5 paid SCs. Now I believe WB reserves get used 2 or more times per month. 2 or more global trips per month is where I’d personally say no thanks to bidding reserve even if I lived local.

ugleeual

I’m east coast… so global. I do fly domestic but prefer the 3 day europe flying. I hear you on the Captain vacancies… not our problem. I was just giving the OP a snapshot on what bidding Captain at year 2 might be like… definitely not all peaches but he/she will make some coin by giving up some QoL. When I was on the 777 my first two years on reserve I worked just 70 days/each year… that included landing class and CQ events… life was pretty good. Went to a line when tired of feeling like the every trip was first off OE since I forgot everything… then went to bidding reserve every other month. Beauty of this job is choices (most of the time anyway)… right now we are experiencing huge hiring tsunami… eventually this will end unfortunately. So whatever the OP bids buckle up as it could change in a flash.

Random Task

Which fleet?

Dave Fitzgerald

It'll be close. You need to be 23 to get your ATP. Can't be a capt without the ATP and type rating.