Originally Posted by
R57 relay
For the short term I think you have already hit the main ones. Better contract vs. more rapid movement. The west doesn't have many retirements coming and I just had a 9 year west F/O on my jumpseat that was on reserve. Then you have to weigh which base you want to be in because if we don't merge it will probably be another year or two until we are combined. Even if we settled things tomorrow, the TA allows the company 12 months to use the combined SLI.
Like freighter said, I don't think new hires will have a choice for a while, they are going east.
Another comment. If someone take a job at US they need to accept the east contract and the fact that they will be working on it for a couple more years, at least.
The East contract is really not that bad if you're on reserve.
Yes, Delta and United pay more, but US Airways short call reserves don't work—they fly 35-42 hours a month.
If you need more money get a second job, because you're going to have plenty of time on your hands.
Otherwise, It takes about 2.5 years to hold an a321 line in PHL.