Originally Posted by
XCRunner
Hey guys, never thought I be here and admittedly should have been a while ago, but anyways I’m here now.
Obviously with everything going on, I along with everyone else at Nk, are looking at the very real possibility of having to start over. Im seriously struggling with the decision and am looking for some guidance from former Nk pilots that are at United or Delta. Im only really interested in those two because of proximity, Im in NE Ohio so its only a 3hr drive to DTW, 1hr to CLE or a quick 1.3 flight to EWR or ORD. I’ve got friends at both and have talked to numerous crews at both.
Delta has already hired most of their pilots and the best id do there over the next 25yrs is probably 45-60%? (Thats a rough swag based on their hiring and retirements and my age)
Rumors of 10+yr upgrade if hired in the 2nd half of ‘26.
Deltas contracts are usually industry leading and the company is currently on quite solid financial ground.
United, much more hiring and aircraft orders than Delta.
Not super familiar with their current contract.
All of the former Nk guys I’ve talked to really enjoy United.
As for their financial footing its probably not as solid as Delta given their debt load.
Over the 9+ yrs I’ve been at Nk I’ve determined that one of the most important things to me is quality of life, and that is most significantly impacted by my ability to change my schedule post bid award. I want/need to be able to change my schedule more or less at will as far as trip trade and trip drops with zero to very little required minimum monthly credit hrs.
Im getting conflicting info about how that works at UAL and DAL. Some say trip trades are pretty easy at both but apparently UAL is no trip drops? Is that accurate?
How does dropping work at DAL, or does it at all?
I understand that I won’t ever get 100% of what i want but i need to be able to change my schedule around after the bid cuz I very likely won’t be getting off what i need during the initial bid. Im also ok with carrying less credit in some months in exchange for the time off with family.
Health care is also extremely important, I’ve got a son with special needs who is currently battling leukemia.
Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!
Runner
25yrs is an eternity in this industry, trying to predict the seniority list past 10yrs is a fools errand at best.
That said, at Delta, if being home a lot is important, as many said, it's best to get senior in an category to either bid very senior days off (weekdays small blocks) and work to not get used, or get senior in a category in which you can bid trips that others would want and then give them away after PBS to other pilots or drop back to the company in open time. That will actually be easier by staying an FO for a bit rather than jumping at first upgrade opportunity.
Whatever you decide, best of luck on your kids speedy recovery.