Originally Posted by
Galt1074
I'm thinking of moving to AAL and I'd like some input. I've got an interview scheduled later this week.
I'm currently a 737 FO for UAL and I was hired in August. I really love it here and I think the company is great BUT I live about 1.5hrs west of DFW and I never plan on moving. The idea of driving to work rather than commuting is more appealing every time I commute out here to our junior base in SFO.
I'd be giving up about 700 in seniority that I've already gained and I'll be somewhere around 60% in SFO next month already. I haven't had any problems commuting and I love the company but I'm envious of the idea of driving myself to work and being able to sit reserve from home instead of a crashpad. Being with AAL in DFW would give me a lot more flexibility...at least that's what I think.
I've talked to lots of folks I know and I've gotten the full spectrum of answers from "you're crazy to give up seniority and the UAL contract to go to AAL" all the way to "living where you work is a game-changer and you'll never regret it".
Anything you have would be helpful. Benefits differences, pass travel, future contract prospects, Quality of life, DFW seniority...anything.
So...what say you?
You’ll be able to hold DFW by the time you get done with training. You’ll likely never actually commute to LGA/LAX.
I’m not too familiar with UAL pass travel. My family has used AA pass travel with a lot of success. I wish we at mainline had a priority over our wholly owned regionals, but I doubt that changes. You can book the jumpseat at 8pm central time 8 days prior to travel, and it’s 99% yours (fed, etc aside). First Come First Served. Don’t have to worry about some geriatric taking the jumpseat at the last minute… my UAL buddies would happily take AA’s jumpseat system.
In general, it seems AA’s reserve is better, if only for lack of that airport standby and global reserve BS.
Re: future contract, the union just sent out some negotiating updates and it sounds like the stuff AA lags in- scheduling, reassignments, recovery obligation, premium, hotels, deadheads, LTD, etc- will be at a minimum brought up to industry standard, and perhaps industry leading. The company is in panic mode over a CKA shortage and APA finally appears to want to utilize its leverage, and AA has agreed to fix the egregious stuff. We will see.
UAL has more widebodies, if that motivates you. It doesn’t have any widebodies out of DFW, though.
AA’s retirements are staggering, and you’re very much still at the front of the wave. UAL’s retirements aren’t as good, but are still amazing.
Once AA catches up on work rules, the biggest drawback will continue to be incompetent management. There’s no sugar coating it- AA management sucks. Then again, every airline is a management change away from success or train wreck. UAL was a dumpster fire under Smisek. Munoz comes in and changed the entire course of the company. Parker, Isom, et al can’t run this ship into the ground forever…. can they?
If you had 2+ years at UAL, I’d say stay… and move to a UAL domicile. Since you’re under that, go to AA… or FedEx.