Originally Posted by
Request20Right
am in a similar spot to OP. I've been with SWA for 1.5 years and have a CJO with UAL. With 1400 pilots beneath me at SWA (although hiring is currently frozen due to MAX issues), I'm in a relatively good position, especially considering my seniority and 58% in base seniority in LAX, living and driving from north county SAN.
Despite this, I'm torn about making the move. I've already postponed two class dates with UAL this year due to uncertainty. If I do decide to join UAL, I'd need to start class by January. Initially, I was attracted to UAL for the possibility of wide-body (WB) flying, but I've previously disregarded it as I like to stay on my own time zone and I value flexibility and QOL.
While UAL offers the opportunity to fly WB international and sit on reserve, I'm unsure if it's worth leaving SWA. Our contract and setup for 737 flying seem superior, and I enjoy the flexibility, vacations, premium pay, and ease of schedule changes at SWA. Although we're facing issues with Elliott and uncertainty about the future, I don't feel my job is threatened. I think SWA is just going through a realignemnt phase in their business model. We don't have the premium cabins that UAL and DAL have been benefitting from in the post-covid travel boom.
Seniority-wise, SWA will likely remain stagnant for the next 2-3 years, depending on when we get planes from Boeing. Our retirement wave is further in the future, and assuming 0% growth, it's looking like a 9-10 year upgrade. I'm 30 and currently on year 2 pay at SWA, with a year 3 raise in May '25.
I'm rethinking UAL because of the variety but I'm unsure if it's worth jumping ship. Comparing apples to apples (737 to 737), SWA seems to have the better contract. UAL's retirements and growth plans are exciting, but I don't want to miss out on a potentially better opportunity. Is variety something really improtant to consider, or is an airplane an airplane at the end of the day?
What I value the most is schedule flexibility, and the ability to make great money for the most time off. Trying to collect information to make an informed decision! I know the grass isn't always greener. Thanks.
I’m in a very similar boat. Year 3 at SWA and just coming back from mil leave. Have a CJO with United and waiting, but it seems like I won’t get in until 6-8 months from now. Sitting now at 45% in MCO. Originally from IND and all my family is there. I’m planning on moving back to IND for family. Currently, my Commute to MCO (tons of direct flights/mil unit is in FL) is easier than MDW for me (no direct flights, but 3hr drive).
If I go to United I could have both ORD/MCO options. ORD works a lot better from IND than MDW. I turn 30 next week. At this point I feel like the best thing is to enjoy SWA in the meantime and whenever United gets back to me I can make a decision then…any advice? I still have the itch to fly WBs but I know I’m taking a seniority hit, but then I look and see I have 35 yrs left and I feel like I’ll be fine if I switch, plus having ORD in my backyard makes it very doable. Thoughts?