Originally Posted by TwinSpades12

*Copied from United forum. Hope that’s okay to get more opinions!

Hello all,

Hope everyone is well! I find myself in a unique situation that I would greatly appreciate insight if you’re willing to give this a read (TLDR I know and I’m sorry)..

Currently 27M (wife, no kids) living in ATL (about to move) sitting at 90% system seniority. Presented with a UA CJO (no class date).

Her and I are about to be tied down to AUS as her family is there and other more critical factors, but just know AUS it is for the foreseeable future.

-My train of thought-
UA PRO’S:
1) Ton of wide bodies and I enjoy the little WB flying I’ve done on the 767-300
2) I hear employee facing tech is amazing; for passengers too
3) *Planned* growth looks very promising, hopefully still good time to get hired.. DL keeps long-term growth plans secret, I truly don’t know what to expect in the future for growth here (will it be great, average, not so good?)
4) Profits are competitive with Delta (nice to see high-level competition among the legacies)

UA CON’S:
1) I’ll give up around 12-13% seniority by the time I get a class date and closer to furlough line. Also a lot hired in post-COVID which I got in with DL, but behind a lot at UA
2) I’m only interested in IAH-base (used to live there for a time, living in IAH vs ATL is a push) Austin is a 3+ hour drive where we would live & WB flying seems relatively *below* average/very senior (how long to hold 777/787 in IAH?) at Houston (although ATL is senior too but many more WB’s in ATL; also I’m already here at 90% and live 20 min away)
3) Would be leaving DL HQ (career flexibility, SLI maybe) to UA in IAH
4) AUS outside short call for IAH (small downside)

-Some other thoughts about the future-
Delta may or may not be laying the framework for a future in Austin. As small as it may be a base is a base (320, 220?)
• DL has massively increased presence in AUS and continues to open new routes every few months as AA pulls out + WN will have a hard time competing due to Elliot & would cannibalize their HOU/DAL fliers
• New terminal B in 2030 will drastically increase gate presence and room for a terminal C is in works too (will triple+ the size of AUS)
• Clearly TX is a gaping hole in DL network. They have the means and motive to make this happen, and -I believe- they are incrementally building up in AUS to meet the rapid growth of Austin and the new terminal in 2030.
• DL claims to want to grow 3-4% annually; growth means branching out. As 7ER/717 fleets retire (and new 320/220’s) in 2030’s - fleet consolidation will help a new base. I believe DL is due for new bases honestly.. BOS320 next my guess.
• AUS is now a DL connection base for SkyWest. Good start

*All very speculative but just sharing my thoughts to explain my position. Also, not trying to make a “AUS Base” discussion or argument, but the growth there is worth noting

Worst case AUS base never happens and I commute ATL as a lifer (all airbus, bookable JS, 91 commuters in a 50 mi radius, loads are normal).
Or, I drive 3+ hours as a lifer to IAH or 30 min flight (I lean towards just flying 30 min, as I don’t like driving that much. At which point I’m still commuting either way).

Are there any AUS IAH commuters who could share their experiences?

If you made it this far thank you so much for your time and look forward to hearing back from you. Have a great evening!