Originally Posted by
Albief15
My own take is A) SWA is a proven, safe, solid job and he will be better than 99% of the world population if he stays put...but also B) 787s and 777s go all over the globe, international flying out of EWR or SFO could be very enjoyable for the right person and C) United has a good vector with the current CEO.
I'd say your take is spot on Albief, and I'd agree with the others so far that SWA is an outwardly better choice. Too many senior commuters in FL already, and not a real quick hop to IAD/EWR/IAH. Only things that might tip the scale is if he really yearns for an upgrade to CA ASAP, to fly widebodies, or would take full advantage of international pass travel for the family (I've been roundtrip to Europe two summers in a row with a large family for virtually nada). He might make more $$ at UAL due to the faster upgrade, but with a wife in a solid career who cares? Regardless of airframe, EWR does offer some of the best flying in the system but I can't see that outweighing the pain of a likely 2+ hr flight each way to work until retirement. If DAL or AA offered him a job (ATL/MIA), that would be a much tougher call....
BTW Albief, I always find your posts to be well worth the time to read.