Originally Posted by EdisonCarter

For that much, it's definitely worth it. I spent about three years at 2P in two different stints before I ever made 1P. I never got an op-up and very rarely got an upgrade using 500-mile certs (having few certs and being last in line when I tried to use them), but I did enjoy E+ on every flight. Two more benefits that haven't been mentioned are the 25% mileage bonus (not a huge amount, but still nice) and, more importantly, standby priority, which can save the day in irregular operations - you'll still be behind all the 1P's and 1K's, but ahead of everybody else.

If you cut that estimate down to 2-3 midcons a year plus 1 transcon, then it would be a much harder decision - more like the one boeingair faces.

(Not to tempt you or anything, but: 1P is twice as good as 2P. The 100% bonus makes previously undreamed of mileage accrual possible, and reserving exit rows is fantastic. And the previously mythical op-ups actually happen for me now.)