Originally Posted by Avgeek7248

the scenery in the PNW is great. But I was born and raised here things have changed a lot. Lived all over the US and each state and region offers something the others can’t. Regardless of my opinion that should have zero bearing on where you want to reside.

let me actually bring some useful information.
The PROS of going to Alaska: drive to work, company is cemented in the PNW/west coast and is not going anywhere anytime soon. Historically the airline has furloughed less than the big 3 (percentage of pilot group and length of time), the airline does not struggle profiting and has continually made decent financial decisions, high attrition (double edged sword obviously) for fast seniority movement.

The CONS of going to Alaska: very little growth. The companies idea of growth is increasing route frequency and increasing ASM not a larger fleet and more pilots. The 73 isn’t glamorous, spacious, or quiet and it’s the only option you got. Obviously now WB so pay potential and schedule are limited to a NB, still behind where we need to be contractually. The contract made good strides but the we still must continue to battle for industry leading NB rates if we want to retain pilots, very little retirements with a young to middle aged pilot group. Once the dust settles the movement will be incredibly slow.

PROS of UAL: WB, growing company with growing fleet, bases, and rapid seniority movement allowing you to find the type of flying you enjoy and a schedule to match. Contract is going to be juicy and on par with Delta leaving us in the dust in compensation, DC, health benefits, commuting policy, etc. more days at home on a commutable schedule with the option of WB, too big to fail. While that doesn’t mean you’re safe from furlough the US government has shown that the big players in the airline game are just too big to allow to crumble this United will always be financially backed when it comes to tough times. Something that Alaska almost likely won’t benefit from.

CONS of UAL: the reserve rules and system is in the running for worst in the industry. There’s a reason the WB’s to junior and it’s because of their gut wrenching reserve rules. Meanwhile at DAL reserve goes senior and is sawed after (imagine proper staffing levels. A fairytale I know). While you’re at the bottom of the list the company has zero issues cutting you loose and letting you enjoy furlough vacation for years (benefits of always being short staffed on a lean operation. +1 AS), bases are not desirable out west especially from a living stand point but also a commuting standpoint. SFO, LAX, and even DEN would be tough commutes at times and undoubtedly will lose days off commuting to front and back end of trips. That’s if you’re lucky and get one of those three out of training on a junior airframe. Imagine commuting to EWR to sit reserve on the 756 fleet.

while I’m sure there’s much more I’ve missed I hope some of this information is actually helpful in some way. It’s your decision to make. Good luck.

Originally Posted by FreqFlyer

Well i’m going to tick off all the negative nellies, and say that my QOL is great. Averaging 14-17 days off a month easy, and all my trips trade requests have gone through without a problem lately with the trade desk, giving me excellent flexibility….

Originally Posted by av8trup2late

^^^^^^
Read all of his emails. Management plant.

Originally Posted by FreqFlyer

Emails? Do tell.

And no management plant, just not miserable or whine/complain all the time. It’s funny how much it ticks off the miserable bunch to just be positive….

Originally Posted by KnockKnock

You're the one that seems to be ticked off and bothered. You scramble around this forum like a press secretary, trying to put out fires and squash any perceived negativity about AS. It must be exhausting holding that smile for so long. It's comical to watch you search high and low for validation on a pilot b#@ch board.

AS COULD be a great airline but we won't get there if you, and guys like you, keep sweeping the messy bits under the rug and pretending that this place is perfect.

Originally Posted by FreqFlyer

Trust me, I need absolutely zero validation from this board. This place ain’t perfect, never said it was. My point is that it isn’t nearly half as bad as you portray. Having a positive attitude, just rolling with the punches at times, and not having a chip on your shoulder goes a long way towards happiness…you might want to try it sometime. Otherwise, go ahead and keep whining like a 4yr old, it’s comical….

Originally Posted by KnockKnock

You say you don't need validation but here you are, every day, trying to shine the turd and convince others that the pay, qol and career expectations are equal to, or better than, just about every other airline. If you're so happy, why do you feel the need to strap on your cape and tidy up negative press? Seems like a happy person would gleefully skip right past the b@&ch boards. It obviously affects you when you read anything other than glowing reviews about AS. I think you, like plOTZ and a few others, take it personally when someone says AS isn't on par with the best. Learn to separate yourself from your place of employment and maybe you'll see this place for what it really is. It's OK to admit that you don't work for the best darn airline in the world. I'm sure it's hard for a superior aviator such as yourself, who would never work anywhere other than the best airline. But once you can acknowledge this aint that place, we can move forward, towards making AS, at least a really good place to spend a career.

Originally Posted by FreqFlyer

Enjoy that chip on your shoulder the rest if your career…

Originally Posted by Avgeek7248

the scenery in the PNW is great. But I was born and raised here things have changed a lot. Lived all over the US and each state and region offers something the others can’t. Regardless of my opinion that should have zero bearing on where you want to reside.

let me actually bring some useful information.
The PROS of going to Alaska: drive to work, company is cemented in the PNW/west coast and is not going anywhere anytime soon. Historically the airline has furloughed less than the big 3 (percentage of pilot group and length of time), the airline does not struggle profiting and has continually made decent financial decisions, high attrition (double edged sword obviously) for fast seniority movement.

The CONS of going to Alaska: very little growth. The companies idea of growth is increasing route frequency and increasing ASM not a larger fleet and more pilots. The 73 isn’t glamorous, spacious, or quiet and it’s the only option you got. Obviously now WB so pay potential and schedule are limited to a NB, still behind where we need to be contractually. The contract made good strides but the we still must continue to battle for industry leading NB rates if we want to retain pilots, very little retirements with a young to middle aged pilot group. Once the dust settles the movement will be incredibly slow.

PROS of UAL: WB, growing company with growing fleet, bases, and rapid seniority movement allowing you to find the type of flying you enjoy and a schedule to match. Contract is going to be juicy and on par with Delta leaving us in the dust in compensation, DC, health benefits, commuting policy, etc. more days at home on a commutable schedule with the option of WB, too big to fail. While that doesn’t mean you’re safe from furlough the US government has shown that the big players in the airline game are just too big to allow to crumble this United will always be financially backed when it comes to tough times. Something that Alaska almost likely won’t benefit from.

CONS of UAL: the reserve rules and system is in the running for worst in the industry. There’s a reason the WB’s to junior and it’s because of their gut wrenching reserve rules. Meanwhile at DAL reserve goes senior and is sawed after (imagine proper staffing levels. A fairytale I know). While you’re at the bottom of the list the company has zero issues cutting you loose and letting you enjoy furlough vacation for years (benefits of always being short staffed on a lean operation. +1 AS), bases are not desirable out west especially from a living stand point but also a commuting standpoint. SFO, LAX, and even DEN would be tough commutes at times and undoubtedly will lose days off commuting to front and back end of trips. That’s if you’re lucky and get one of those three out of training on a junior airframe. Imagine commuting to EWR to sit reserve on the 756 fleet.

while I’m sure there’s much more I’ve missed I hope some of this information is actually helpful in some way. It’s your decision to make. Good luck.

Originally Posted by KnockKnock

You say you don't need validation but here you are, every day, trying to shine the turd and convince others that the pay, qol and career expectations are equal to, or better than, just about every other airline. If you're so happy, why do you feel the need to strap on your cape and tidy up negative press? Seems like a happy person would gleefully skip right past the b@&ch boards. It obviously affects you when you read anything other than glowing reviews about AS. I think you, like plOTZ and a few others, take it personally when someone says AS isn't on par with the best. Learn to separate yourself from your place of employment and maybe you'll see this place for what it really is. It's OK to admit that you don't work for the best darn airline in the world. I'm sure it's hard for a superior aviator such as yourself, who would never work anywhere other than the best airline. But once you can acknowledge this aint that place, we can move forward, towards making AS, at least a really good place to spend a career.