DarkSideMoon

Sounds like it is about the money or you would already be a WBFO….

tmtbiker

Well, life isn't as simple as one sentence. It was about *some* of the money vs. pre-covid NBFO pay. My wife took a very lengthy maternity leave, so the pay bump was nice. But pre-covid we didn't have unfilled vacancies, and line values were seasonal and there were respites from 90 hour months.

Additionally, again your simplified sentence does not address contractual realities like seat locks. I've done my two years but feel it would be rash to leave on the eve of a new contract. I'll give it time to play out, then make an informed decision.

DarkSideMoon

Everyone’s situation is different. I’ve just noticed a lot of “I want to have my cake and eat it too” especially from some of the NB ca’s that could easily hold great lines as a WBFO.

Like others have said the 1:1 add pay thing shouldn’t just be about extra pay, it’s incentive for them to build shorter duty days or net an extra day off or two in PBS if they don’t. There are a lot of small nudges that I think will collectively net some QOL improvements on the NBCA side. I just think people aren’t being realistic about the role itself. NBCA will never even remotely beat the QOL you can get as a WBFO for a similar level of seniority. It’s just the nature of the role. It’s going to be more legs, more days, and way more exposure to operational issues, and there really isn’t a realistic way around that. Commensurately there’s more pay, whether that’s worth it or not is everyone’s own decision.

We wanted the RJ flying back in house. With current staffing levels this is what RJ flying back in house looks like.

Hedley

A higher min pay per day does affect the number of days off, however it will also affect trip commutability. Requiring 6 hours per day would make the computer that builds the pairings add flying to come up with that time, which results in earlier show times and later release times. Rather than do that one leg from SEA-IAH and going home, you’re now sitting for 2 hours for an AUS turn.

JimmyS

As I’m reading through the comments I’m thinking, “6 hours per day would fix all of this”…and then I read your comment! Completely agree. SWA does this with AM/PM schedules. With the technology and sheer number of flights we have, this should be easy

hummingbear

My broad overview- most of it is aimed at improving RSV, with the general mindset of paying more for picking up assignments. While I’d prefer an approach of appealing more broadly to those on both sides of the G-line, I do think by offering more options, these changes will make moderate improvements for RSV QOL in the long run. The lineholder protection stuff is a little trickier (as has been mentioned) as some of it could result in unintended changes to trip construction. I.e., you could end up working fewer days but more fatiguing trips, etc.

Overall I think the changes are modest but positive. I definitely wouldn’t expect a rush for the upgrade door in the near future, but then I think the company knows this & is planning on 8-F-12 being the ace in their hand.

ThumbsUp

To each their own, but if I was married to another United pilot, I’d be taking whatever made my schedule the easiest. In your case, that would probably be NBFO. All the schedule flexibility you want and still bringing in bags of cash between the two of you. Most people hanging on to a junior NBCA line aren’t in your shoes.

Swindler128

What is a nbfo able to do though that the op isn't. Certainly 90hrs a month is unsustainable here in any position

I thought with g line drops and things like that are also impossible ?

DarkSideMoon

You’re starting with more days off because you can get higher credit, fewer day trips, which makes it easier to drop so you can get even more days off.

Spartacusbob

Daily average is already at 5:15, they manage to throw in a 30 hr sit somewhere, which means you are pulling 3 days at 7,7,7 or close. QOL ain’t necessarily better this way. I still like my job though.

The short answer is that it won’t be substantially better. It’s pretty clear that the “goodies” were spread to the top tier first and less senior guys, RSV, were thrown some crumbs to get us to shut up-that probably comes across harsher than intended. It’s endemic to the age of the guys reppin’ at the union. Good work rules benefit those less senior and more senior guys can mitigate bad work rules with their seniority. It is what it is.

Spent all day talking with my delta buddy and his take on theirs was that it maybe benefited those junior a little more than the senior guys at delta. He’s senior and that was his take. I dunno, I’m not a delta guy.