Av8rRr

18 hour long call at Delta. So therefore it really doesn’t matter where you live as a new hire. Work rules are industry leading. Profit sharing, and pay will always be better there. Upgrade is shorter and growth is larger at Delta. Just how the times are right now. Alaska can’t find pilots and keeps dropping the minimums, whereas Delta’s pool is much more competitive. That says a lot. Ultimately AS is good, but our attrition is at a record high. There’s a reason for that.

KnockKnock

I know pilots who have held SEA straight away in the last year at DAL.
AS only has 1 jet in SEA. 737. DAL has what 3 or 4? 737, (A320/21 maybe), A330 and A220. So what do you mean, "make it back to Seattle on the jet I want"?
You must want 737 because that's what you're gonna get at either airline. Even if you don't upgrade on a widebody you'd make close to the same as a widebody FO vs 737 CA. And your schedule would be better as a senior WB FO. But if not, upgrades on the 737 are the same in SEA at both airlines.

At DAL, your training will be in ATL away from your kids and so will ALL YOUR TRIPS you fly at either airline and you're gonna fly a lot more trips as a jr FO at AS. Don't make a career decision based on 3 days out of the year. You're going to get more days off with your kids at DAL.

You reference age is a factor so you want more bang for your buck in a shorter time. 20-30K a year difference is big money even if you only have 10 left. More in retirement, better health care and sick policy are big factors that apply to older applicants.

The most honest answer to your question is to apply to both places and take the first one that calls. If that one is DAL, good on ya. Stay put. If it's AS and you're content, fine. If not, keep your apps fresh.

OTZeagle1

Rule #1 never say anything good about Alaska Airlines… it is the worst. For 3 years while my friends at Delta got no bonus, I was getting 27-29k. So yes, the bonus is always better at Delta. Commuting with a 18 hour call, or driving to work, yup that’s the exact same thing. Got my last paycheck for the year, still will receive a little make up, as I am over the pension maximum but $561,XXX US dollars. Yup this place is the worst, burn it down. GO TO DELTA!
Parity is coming to this entire industry, we will have to adjust our pay as the market moves. That will never be enough for the angry, bitter 30…

SWA FO’s and Delta FO’s, all made more, I know. Their pension is way better, yup it’s the work rules and I will never understand. How could anyone ever be happy here at this garbage west coast regional!

KnockKnock

Otz, your life story is just that, yours. Nobody cares in the least what you made. Especially a potential new hire that has stated age is a factor. Your life story will NEVER pertain to this person.
SW and DAL don't offer a pension and guess what, neither does AS. You know that right? Nobody has gotten an option for the A plan since 2009. So why do you use it as a comparator? You can't seriously be that GD dense.

Are you saying that DAL doesn't offer more to a new hire or jr pilot? Because that would be blatantly false. Are you refuting my advice to apply to both and go to the first place that calls?
Otz, it's no secret you suffer from some form of personality disorder but don't steer someone wrong just because it affects your ego.

OTZeagle1

The real truth is neither you or I know for certain where the best career will be. In the early 2000’s when I got on here, friends of mine were getting on at UAL. I can tell you confidently, they are financially decades behind me now. At that time though, one of them was going to walk my stuff in at UAL because we both knew for certain, his career was 2x mine. We still laugh about that, he walked into my house a few weeks back for a Christmas party, looked at me and said, “Even if we get Delta plus a percent, I could still never afford your house.” No one knows! I am confident, everyone can find happiness at any airline, especially living in one’s base! Maybe you find fortune in this life, I sincerely hope you all find happiness instead.

Av8rRr

Gig Harbor was a lot cheaper back in the day than it is now, so I get it.

When DAL gets a profit sharing check, it puts ours to shame. They’ll make what you made in three years, in one. Hard for you to believe I’m sure.

OTZSeagull, all you talk about is your fortune. Not everyone is on instructor pay and picks up premium all the time. Some even commute. Which at this airline isn’t a word. Compare your paycheck with a DAL Captain at the same year. Yes, even on a wide-body since you leave that out, and tell me how many days off the difference is. It’s astounding. But you’ll say it’s not.

You finally said one thing I agree with. “No one knows.” Just like you don’t. So let’s stop with all the rumors and the “it’s all roses” tactic, and remember what you just said. I thought we were supposed to hear some major changes coming? “No one knows.”

GoodJet

I thought it was the Angry 18? Who are the bitter 30?

FreqFlyer

You need more time off flying WB’s, because you come home a zombie from all the zonal changes. It’s really a wash when you factor in the recovery times on your body, and it only gets worse the older you get.

Arctichicken

How pathetic one must be to post how much he or she makes on a public forum. Back on topic. Regardless of age and preferred domicile, it would be far smarter to choose DAL over AS if given the choice.

ShyGuy

Have you seen the end-of-the-year salary threads? That's an annual tradition on APC.

Looks like 2022 started...

End of 2022 Salary Survey