Originally Posted by
Firsttimeflyer
Denver has been had by United guys at under 1.5 years just recently.
Could be longer or shorter for new hires now. Plenty of guys want to get back to Denver, but there is also going to be a lot of new instructor jobs with the consolidation of the two training centers (IaH and DEN) to DEN only.
65 new 737-700 starting next year and a network plan to reduce RJ flying, put a good focus on Denver which means more spots.
Not to mention super senior DEN FOs that can hold captain and several have been doing so, plus lots of new widebodys coming at a fast pace.
So overall hard to give an exact as you never know what people will bid, but under 2 years I'd say is definitely looking realistic.
and you can make a lot more money as well.
Guys, don't let the fear of a possible furlough scare you. I got hired at Delta in October of 2000. After 9/11, I was furloughed for 3 years. I got recalled in May of 2005 and it was the longest 3 years of my life. I had a couple flying jobs, got furloughed from the 2nd job a year to the date of my Delta furlough. I decided to get away from aviation for a while...I sold cars to gain some sales experience, then I worked in the Mortgage business for a while. While doing mortgages, I interviewed with Republic and was offered an instructor job, interviewed with Transmeridian, turned them down. I ended up getting a job flying a Falcon 20 the last year of my furlough before being recalled. Then, if I hadn't been through enough, we went into Bankruptcy in September. We were parking the 727 and our 737-300's. I thought I might end up on the street again. It was more stressful than the initial furlough.
I guess I shouldn't have told you that while trying to encourage you not to fear the furlough. Getting furloughed sucks, but after 11 years back on the property, I have no regrets. The alternative would be spending 16 years more at Mesa and I don't know what would have happened. I had been considering going back to school to get an MBA when I was at Mesa if I didn't get hired by a Major Airline. I got lucky and got an interview, and got the job. My credentials then, would not put me in the tier 1 catagory they are hiring now. I still haven't figured out whether I was lucky or not. I'm glad I'm here cause I know I wouldn't be getting a call based on the guys they are hiring, but I spent 3 years on the street and sold cars for a while.
You have to make the right decision for you and your family. I didn't have a wife and kids to worry about back then. But the one thing to consider is that the industry has changed a great deal in the past 15-16 years. With all the mergers, margins are so much better. Oil prices are much lower than what airlines need to stay profitable. Half of the major airline pilots are going to be retiring in the next 10 years. I can't promise that another furlough won't happen, but if it does, your job is going to be the least of your concerns.
Just my two cents. Sorry for making a long story longer. Don't let fear get in your way.