Originally Posted by
Otterbox
The people I know who’ve picked UA over SWA lately have been younger (25-35 years left in their career) and able to afford a riskier career with greater upside in terms of diversity of aircraft and flying. They’ve also mostly been east coast and UA bases were the same distance or closer than. SWA bases with a greater spread between upgrades at UA (<5 yrears) and SWA (>= 10 years) on the east coast.
i do know some who went to SWA and stayed there. #1 priority seemed to be base, #2 QOL. (17 days off right away vs 12-13 at UA).
In your case I’d say go to whoever gives you the first class date, then go to Delta for the SEA base. If you want WB flying go to UA after SWA while you wait for DAL. That way if DAL never calls you still have quick upgrades on the 73 and the ability to do widebody flying.
Can you elaborate on "riskier career?" I have CJOs from UA and WN (30 y/o) and plan on moving to the DC area (live in-base for either). I am leaning toward WN primarily for the reason that I do not think UA's 500+ aircraft on order will be friendly to its balance sheet. If/when the next pandemic/worldwide calamity rolls around, I think that WN will be best insulated and prepared among the big 4 passenger airlines in the US. Is a single fleet type and lengthier upgrade worth the trade-off for perceived corporate stability? I don't know.