Originally Posted by
strikeagledrivr
You wise old airline guys dust off your crystal ball.....for us military folks new to the 121 airline gig what's your advice....
Now that the American/US Airways merger looks like a done deal....Assuming you get offers at both SWA and New American/US Airways which is better long term (say the next 20 yrs)?
SWA:
PROs: Good work rules, good pay.
CONs: very slow seniority movement (15 yr upgrades?) unless there is growth, single aircraft type.
New American:
PROs: Lots of retirements (10 yr upgrades?), largest airline, variety of flying.
CONs: merger thrash for the next couple years and work rules that need to improve at the next JCBA.
Work rules/pay/domiciles seem to change but pilot demographics (ie age/mandatory retirements) seem to be a constant with American/US Airways being very old and SWA being relatively young with fewer mandatory retirements.
I understand seniority is everything in the airlines. Does that tip the balance to New American?
Short answer to your question: Yes!
Longer answer, a lot depends on what you are looking for or, in other words, what's important to you. Does either airline have a base where you want to live (that has a high probability of remaining)? Would flying one aircraft for your entire career bother you? Do you want to fly international? Seniority wise, I'd go with American.
Bottom line, they are both very good airlines. Go with the first one that hires you (I did and I was lucky) and if you get hired by the other while in training..............then make your choice. In the long run, I don't think you could go wrong either way.
As a new guy at American, I wouldn't worry about the merger angst. You'd be on the bottom and, other than listening to guys beyotch about an SLI, it's really not going to affect you.
Don't forget there are other airlines out there too!
Denny