Originally Posted by
ElZilcho
I'm not sure how the Seniority list works at Virgin, however one thing to consider is the long term.
Yes, sitting at VARA for 7+ years while new hires go onto the Jets might be a hard pill to swallow... but down the line, once you've finally escaped the Turbo-Props and secured a Jet Job, wouldn't an extra 7 years Seniority ensure a Widebody command that much quicker?
Just an outside observation. The reason Air NZ Link lose so many Pilots externally is because their seniority lists are entirely separate from the Jet Fleets so Pilots lose nothing by leaving. Would be a very different story if we had a group seniority list.
ElZilcho - I admire your optimism. So it seems seniority works OK unless you're on the ATR where it doesn't.
Let's examine the wide body command scenario if you're on the props.
1. 5-7 years on the ATR
2. 10 + yrs 737 FO
3. 5 + yrs 737 CAPT
That's 20 years as a minimum before you're a skipper on the 330 or 777. Then you've got the earlier retirement age due to the role. Also remember that VAA has only around 10 widebody aircraft in total.
All the best.
L.B