I’m no longer a commuter and never commuted from Norfolk, but it should be fairly easy on days when the UPS flight out of Norfolk lines up with your trip out of Louisville. Also, check how often commercial flights go from Norfolk to SDF. QOL at UPS is great so long as your mentality is that you are there to make money to support your lifestyle. If you have ambitions of managerial greatness go to AA. Seniority at UPS will advance at a similar rate to AA. The numbers are smaller because we are far smaller in total pilot bodies, but percentages for retirement are similar and we are growing (for now anyway). You could absolutely make captain at AA faster, but that’s because UPS doesn’t fly small narrow body jets that senior guys avoid. Also, an FO at UPS can easily make $200k year two. So you will likely be doing far better financially than as reservist or a year 2-5 AA FO. That said, upgrade times are starting to fall rapidly here. I wouldn’t count that particular egg until it hatches for you though. Finally, take a long look at retirement planning with you at AA versus UPS. Their B plan isn’t bad (16% company contribution of first $285k earned) versus our B plan (12% company contribution of first $285k earned). Their A plan (absolutely nothing) kind of blows versus our A plan ($4200 times years of service if you retire as a captain). We also have a small VEBA ($1 for each credit hour), not sure about AA. Finally, I would argue that the IPA does a far better job for its members than the APA, but I haven’t directly experienced it, so take that opinion with a grain of salt.