I briefly worked at AAL in 2014, and now I'm at DAL. My only comparison between the two would be as a commuter to a bottom feeder reserve line (at both). My pay and QOL increased dramatically, when I came to DAL. Commuting to reserve at AAL was absolutely terrible. When I did get assigned a trip it was a 3 day that paid just over 10 hours...at DAL that same trip pays 15+45 minimum. Sick if needed was nice.

Having said that, if I had lived in an AAL base, I would have had no problem staying there. No way I would leave to force myself into a commute. Guys can justify "how easy" their commute is all day long, but it's still a commute. At the end of the day, when their rushing off to hopefully catch their commute home, I'll stroll out to the car and be home before they land, or sometimes even before they takeoff. Living in base gives you a little "super seniority," in that you'll likely get a line quicker, get to a WB or Capt quicker, because you'll not have to worry about the commute. Sitting reserve from your house on WB reserve is about as good as it gets. Based on that alone, UAL seems to be the answer.

The following are answers for DAL.

Minimum of 12-14 days off, depending on Reserve Guarantee. +1 more day if staffing is good in your category for the month.

Our golden days can be placed mostly where we want. Most guys put them at the end of each reserve block so they can't be worked into a day off. If on reserve you're automatically released at noon on your last day (before a golden day...or any hard no-fly day).

No.

Yes, and she's a cruel mistress. There are limits on how high up the list they go on coverage, depending on if it's a holiday or non-holiday month.