Originally Posted by
tossbag
23 years an FO, that normal?
In Qantas it is!
Yes, you could take a minimum time upgrade (if that was your desire) and basically give away control of your life for the next 6-10 years. The other drawback was that if you went for a command on, say, the 737 and failed, you’re now a 737 FO for a couple of years (with the associated pay drop that that could entail). Nobody intends to fail when they attempt an upgrade but some do, and you’d be an idiot if you didn’t consider the financial consequences of not making the grade.
Qantas couldn’t really give a toss if somebody decides to forego promotion and preserve their lifestyle and financial stability. A few old former cadets who’ve never known anything but Qantas may grumble about “lifestylers”, but as long as all the required seats are occupied, management couldn’t care less. The Qantas contract is an unwieldy piece of crap, but at least it (currently) allows you to make your own decisions regarding attempts at promotion.