hummingbear

You’re suggesting people aren’t upgrading because they’re loyal to Airbus? That’s a new one for me. There are many reasons for the CA vacancies but I doubt Boeing/Airbus preferences move the needle significantly.

LAXtoDEN

I thinks it’s less about loyalty vs having to sweat it out in a 73 for 4 legs a day. The Airbus was designed for crew comfort. Once you figure out your seat and armrest adjustments in relation to the sidestick it feel like your flying in luxury. Then add in the tray table for crew meals… it’s the little things that matter when you spend half the month flying around the country in said jet.

ThumbsUp

Yeah, other than IAH 737 which has been crazy lately, the seniority dynamics at the junior end of the lists are about the same.

DarkSideMoon

As someone who really likes their tray table this barely factors in to my decision making for upgrade. And there are plenty of unfilled bus captain vacancies as well. I passed up a few 73 upgrade opportunities because I was close to upgrade on the bus but that’s only because I don’t want to go through a full type course on a plane I’ve never flown.

hummingbear

Yes, I’ve flown both. The bus is undoubtedly the more comfortable cockpit, but I currently reside happily on the guppy for relative seniority/QOL. That cozy seat & tray table just isn’t worth an ounce of sacrificed seniority to me. Maybe in a few years (currently mid-40s) I’ll feel differently.

If you’re on the bus currently, you may be in the echo chamber of guys who’ve all selected it for the same reason. But I’ve known just as many guppy drivers who want nothing to do w/ Fifi & her flight control laws. (They’re both just airplanes to me, but whatever.) My point is, we could replace the guppy w/ the bus altogether, and if we don’t address RSV & lineholder QOL, credit protections, & pay disparity between senior FO/junior CA, people are going to continue passing on the left seat.

Knotcher

I think I fly four legs a day about once every five years. Probably similar for other 73 pilots. The Fifi guys however....

ThumbsUp

It’s the same on the bus. Most people rarely see them. There’s just not that many in the bid packet.

JackReacher

I’ve been on the bus since ‘16 and have only flown one 4-leg day. This issue is way overblown.

Finessed

Your hiring department has spent the last year or so recruiting these ULCC zero to hero, low time, no turbine PIC with no college degree new hires AND now United management can’t fathom why Captain Vacancy’s are an issue?!

Delta and American recruitment are more than thrilled with your pilot hiring department leaving so many prospective pilot applicants in the pool that actually have the courage to take command of a passenger operated aircraft (and have the command time to prove it).

It will be a forever issue and huge negotiation leverage unless UA-ALPA folded like a cheap suit and allowed language on forced upgrades.

It’s almost classic that Scotty boy would go to the public complaining about an issue he created with his own incompetence, AGAIN. The guy is undefeated in destroying a pilot surplus, we should actually thank him. Scotty boy is correct, you can teach anyone to be a right seat pilot but the high upgrade washout rates at the regionals proved not everyone can be a Pilot in Command. It’s going to get very dicey for United’s safety record if forced upgrades become a reality.

LJ Driver

DUDE, get a grip, take a breath, S T F U. All you do is lurk on other forums than your own and try to talk trash and dump on people and their airlines. I haven’t been on another forum for years, it’s all you do, pathetic. It’s clear to anyone with a brain that you are an insecure pus, have a tiny wiener and absolutely no self confidence, driving you to denigrate everyone else to prop yourself up.

Go away, peddle your inciteful nonsense elsewhere.