To upgrade or to not upgrade?

[NickGurr]

My left seat upgrade is coming up soon. I will be at top FO pay scale In few months and the lifestyle is pretty good currently. I personally don't mind being a career right seater.
I'm reluctant to accept an upgrade due to a few reasons.

Firstly I would have to go on reserve, and that can last 4-5 years, before I'm able to hold a block. Currently I enjoy working only 12 days per month average and don't wanna sacrifice lifestyle and family.

Secondly, I'm not the type to micro manage anyone and don't want the stress of having the final responsibility weighing on me, especially when stuff goes south. I'm not looking forward to flying with new FOs.

As far as pay goes, I make a good ROI in trading and investments, so it makes up more or less for upgrade pay.

Whats everyone's opinion on staying a career FO? Is it frowned upon in the industry? Does anyone else know anyone whose been in a similar dilemma?

[Aerkavo]

My left seat upgrade is coming up soon. I will be at top FO pay scale In few months and the lifestyle is pretty good currently. I personally don't mind being a career right seater.
I'm reluctant to accept an upgrade due to a few reasons.

Firstly I would have to go on reserve, and that can last 4-5 years, before I'm able to hold a block. Currently I enjoy working only 12 days per month average and don't wanna sacrifice lifestyle and family.

Secondly, I'm not the type to micro manage anyone and don't want the stress of having the final responsibility weighing on me, especially when stuff goes south. I'm not looking forward to flying with new FOs.

As far as pay goes, I make a good ROI in trading and investments, so it makes up more or less for upgrade pay.

Whats everyone's opinion on staying a career FO? Is it frowned upon in the industry? Does anyone else know anyone whose been in a similar dilemma?

You've answered your own question about 8 times over.

You've got enough money, don't want to sacrifice lifestyle, don't want reserve and don't want the responsibilties of being a Captain. Question answered. Don't worry about what anyone might think of your decision - it's your life.

I have known many pilots who have been career FOs by choice. Some do it so they can have time to run a business on the side, some do it for lifestyle, some do it out for family needs and some have been blessed with family wealth and keep the job merely for the layovers. Whatever. I knew one guy who stayed as an FO so that he could be guaranteed to get Sundays off and be the Pastor at his church and another who needed weekends off to play in a bar band with his buddies.

I would say, in general terms, senior FOs who can afford to stay where they are and enjoy a great schedule are envied. Anyway, who knows - maybe in a few years you change your mind about being a Captain and can hold it on a junior aircraft and still be senior.

[ZBBYLW]

Top PayScale on the 777 isn't that different than NB C. Especially when considering overseas premiums and the extra days at home.

I recommend taking your current pay divide it by 12.. then take NBC and divide by 16. Then consider what reserve is like. It should answer your question for you.

[Man_in_the_sky]

Can i ask what fleet is a top fo doing 12 days, but couldnt hold a block on the left seat?

Seems contradicting

[Flyboy736]

Can i ask what fleet is a top fo doing 12 days, but couldnt hold a block on the left seat?

Seems contradicting

Yeah this ain't adding up at all. 11 years seniority (almost year 12 top PayScale) would see a pay raise as left seat NB and have extremely good seniority. Top 30% on the 737 Captain list. He must be referring to WB captain and isn't even considering NB captain if this post is true.

I'm a bit concerned about working 12 days a month with great lifestyle. Why isn't it closer to 8-10 days like some guys I know? He a 330 FO or something pond hopping left right and center? Is this entire post just made up for drama? His username suggests so

[altiplano]

Doesn't add up.

11 years in and upgrading you won't be on reserve on any NB Captain position and you can't hold 330 Captain yet where you would be on reserve.

NB Captain seniority relative % is about the same as a 777 FO.

[landshark]

UL 777FO to UL 330CA would make sense. You could hold UL 330CA at 10 years seniority and be working around 12 days as a 777FO.

[CaptDukeNukem]

UL 777FO to UL 330CA would make sense. You could hold UL 330CA at 10 years seniority and be working around 12 days as a 777FO.

Yea but then you’d still be in Montreal on Rwy28 (wait… Charlie) waiting for a gate or contact aeromag in July and they will find a spot for you.

All good tho; cuz those PTVs will come get you when it’s time

[NickGurr]

Appreciate all the replies. The numbers I gave you are a bit skewed, due to anonymity purposes.

[Man_in_the_sky]

Our replies are also skewed based on fucked up informations and being anonymous

[Big Pistons Forever]

The stages of a pilots career

1)Chase the Tin
2)Chase the money
3)Chase the life style

Sounds like you are firmly at stage 3. Congratulations. It took me a little too long to realize that stage 3 is the only one that matters.

[Eric Janson]

My left seat upgrade is coming up soon. I will be at top FO pay scale In few months and the lifestyle is pretty good currently. I personally don't mind being a career right seater.
I'm reluctant to accept an upgrade due to a few reasons.

Firstly I would have to go on reserve, and that can last 4-5 years, before I'm able to hold a block. Currently I enjoy working only 12 days per month average and don't wanna sacrifice lifestyle and family.

Secondly, I'm not the type to micro manage anyone and don't want the stress of having the final responsibility weighing on me, especially when stuff goes south. I'm not looking forward to flying with new FOs.

As far as pay goes, I make a good ROI in trading and investments, so it makes up more or less for upgrade pay.

Whats everyone's opinion on staying a career FO? Is it frowned upon in the industry? Does anyone else know anyone whose been in a similar dilemma?

Not wanting to upgrade comes across as strange to me.

You don't state how much Command experience you currently have.

Being Captain is not about micro managing - quite the opposite. It's about the big picture and delegating responsibility.

The responsibility is something you grow into.

As for handling abnormal situations - that's why there's training. You apply your training to deal with real world events.

Why is flying with new FOs an issue? They've been trained. Don't forget you were one as well.

I used to fly with 300 hour TT cadets straight out of Line Training. They needed some help from time to time but I never had to take control.

Command is a chance to grow - personally and professionally. Hard for me to understand why someone wouldn't want to do this in their chosen field.

My final point is that if the day ever comes that you need to look for a job outside of Canada - other companies want experienced Captains. There are very limited options for FOs.

It's your choice.

The stages of a pilots career

1)Chase the Tin
2)Chase the money
3)Chase the life style

Sounds like you are firmly at stage 3. Congratulations. It took me a little too long to realize that stage 3 is the only one that matters.

You can't reach stage 3 without completing stage 1 & 2. Jmho.

[NickGurr]

My left seat upgrade is coming up soon. I will be at top FO pay scale In few months and the lifestyle is pretty good currently. I personally don't mind being a career right seater.
I'm reluctant to accept an upgrade due to a few reasons.

Firstly I would have to go on reserve, and that can last 4-5 years, before I'm able to hold a block. Currently I enjoy working only 12 days per month average and don't wanna sacrifice lifestyle and family.

Secondly, I'm not the type to micro manage anyone and don't want the stress of having the final responsibility weighing on me, especially when stuff goes south. I'm not looking forward to flying with new FOs.

As far as pay goes, I make a good ROI in trading and investments, so it makes up more or less for upgrade pay.

Whats everyone's opinion on staying a career FO? Is it frowned upon in the industry? Does anyone else know anyone whose been in a similar dilemma?

Not wanting to upgrade comes across as strange to me.

You don't state how much Command experience you currently have.

Being Captain is not about micro managing - quite the opposite. It's about the big picture and delegating responsibility.

The responsibility is something you grow into.

As for handling abnormal situations - that's why there's training. You apply your training to deal with real world events.

Why is flying with new FOs an issue? They've been trained. Don't forget you were one as well.

I used to fly with 300 hour TT cadets straight out of Line Training. They needed some help from time to time but I never had to take control.

Command is a chance to grow - personally and professionally. Hard for me to understand why someone wouldn't want to do this in their chosen field.

My final point is that if the day ever comes that you need to look for a job outside of Canada - other companies want experienced Captains. There are very limited options for FOs.

It's your choice.

The stages of a pilots career

1)Chase the Tin
2)Chase the money
3)Chase the life style

Sounds like you are firmly at stage 3. Congratulations. It took me a little too long to realize that stage 3 is the only one that matters.

You can't reach stage 3 without completing stage 1 & 2. Jmho.

Youre missing the point entirely. I'm not interested in the left seat lifestyle. Don't feel like climbing some bullshit corporate latter for an extra stripe and sacrificing QOL. I am very happy in the right seat.

Abnormal situations don't scare me, that's why I'm here. I held left seat before for medevac ops in a 350.

But if some want to sit 18 days on reserver after their 4th divorce, then that's on them.

[lownslow]

I am very happy in the right seat.

If you have your answer why even ask the question?

[CaptDukeNukem]

Our replies are also skewed based on fucked up informations and being anonymous

Wait!? What? I thought this site was For RealZ

[flying4dollars]

My left seat upgrade is coming up soon. I will be at top FO pay scale In few months and the lifestyle is pretty good currently. I personally don't mind being a career right seater.
I'm reluctant to accept an upgrade due to a few reasons.

Firstly I would have to go on reserve, and that can last 4-5 years, before I'm able to hold a block. Currently I enjoy working only 12 days per month average and don't wanna sacrifice lifestyle and family.

Secondly, I'm not the type to micro manage anyone and don't want the stress of having the final responsibility weighing on me, especially when stuff goes south. I'm not looking forward to flying with new FOs.

As far as pay goes, I make a good ROI in trading and investments, so it makes up more or less for upgrade pay.

Whats everyone's opinion on staying a career FO? Is it frowned upon in the industry? Does anyone else know anyone whose been in a similar dilemma?

Youre missing the point entirely. I'm not interested in the left seat lifestyle. Don't feel like climbing some bullshit corporate latter for an extra stripe and sacrificing QOL. I am very happy in the right seat.

Do you really need to be asking this question based on what you wrote? Based on your username and this post it feels like you're just boredom posting or trolling....

[cdnavater]

My left seat upgrade is coming up soon. I will be at top FO pay scale In few months and the lifestyle is pretty good currently. I personally don't mind being a career right seater.
I'm reluctant to accept an upgrade due to a few reasons.

Firstly I would have to go on reserve, and that can last 4-5 years, before I'm able to hold a block. Currently I enjoy working only 12 days per month average and don't wanna sacrifice lifestyle and family.

Secondly, I'm not the type to micro manage anyone and don't want the stress of having the final responsibility weighing on me, especially when stuff goes south. I'm not looking forward to flying with new FOs.

As far as pay goes, I make a good ROI in trading and investments, so it makes up more or less for upgrade pay.

Whats everyone's opinion on staying a career FO? Is it frowned upon in the industry? Does anyone else know anyone whose been in a similar dilemma?

Youre missing the point entirely. I'm not interested in the left seat lifestyle. Don't feel like climbing some bullshit corporate latter for an extra stripe and sacrificing QOL. I am very happy in the right seat.

Do you really need to be asking this question based on what you wrote? Based on your username and this post it feels like you're just boredom posting or trolling....

Troll, if you saw his post in the election poll thread that was quickly deleted due to his post!

[Landingstrip]

My left seat upgrade is coming up soon. I will be at top FO pay scale In few months and the lifestyle is pretty good currently. I personally don't mind being a career right seater.
I'm reluctant to accept an upgrade due to a few reasons.

Firstly I would have to go on reserve, and that can last 4-5 years, before I'm able to hold a block. Currently I enjoy working only 12 days per month average and don't wanna sacrifice lifestyle and family.

Secondly, I'm not the type to micro manage anyone and don't want the stress of having the final responsibility weighing on me, especially when stuff goes south. I'm not looking forward to flying with new FOs.

As far as pay goes, I make a good ROI in trading and investments, so it makes up more or less for upgrade pay.

Whats everyone's opinion on staying a career FO? Is it frowned upon in the industry? Does anyone else know anyone whose been in a similar dilemma?

Why would you bother asking for opinions from the group that cowardly voted 67 percent yes? Do you think you're likely to find any wisdom here? Do what makes you happy, trust your gut. Who cares if people frown upon it. I wouldn't give a flying @#$! what this group of people thinks.

[PittBoss]

Upgrade man commonnn

[flying4dollars]

My left seat upgrade is coming up soon. I will be at top FO pay scale In few months and the lifestyle is pretty good currently. I personally don't mind being a career right seater.
I'm reluctant to accept an upgrade due to a few reasons.

Firstly I would have to go on reserve, and that can last 4-5 years, before I'm able to hold a block. Currently I enjoy working only 12 days per month average and don't wanna sacrifice lifestyle and family.

Secondly, I'm not the type to micro manage anyone and don't want the stress of having the final responsibility weighing on me, especially when stuff goes south. I'm not looking forward to flying with new FOs.

As far as pay goes, I make a good ROI in trading and investments, so it makes up more or less for upgrade pay.

Whats everyone's opinion on staying a career FO? Is it frowned upon in the industry? Does anyone else know anyone whose been in a similar dilemma?

Youre missing the point entirely. I'm not interested in the left seat lifestyle. Don't feel like climbing some bullshit corporate latter for an extra stripe and sacrificing QOL. I am very happy in the right seat.

Do you really need to be asking this question based on what you wrote? Based on your username and this post it feels like you're just boredom posting or trolling....

Troll, if you saw his post in the election poll thread that was quickly deleted due to his post!

Figured as much!! Are people that bored?

[DanWEC]

I notice fake posts being created whenever this site has a slow couple of days.

Always a slightly proactive conversation starter from a brand new user name.

Pretty shameful way to generate traffic, but I guess there are bots on Reddit, etc.