Some people simply can’t afford to move…yes the market is starting to cool some, but rent and home prices are at all time highs…it’s not always as simple as you imply.

 

Social and familial ties are very important to many. This is not a one size fits all thing.

Btw, it's no fun uprooting your family to move to a new base, only to have that base close down a few years later.

Some would rather not chase bases.

 

Welp, tried not to dive in.

I liked Alaska. I left fall last year.

United is awesome. I love it here, I have never looked back. Again, I'll make it clear, Alaska was a positive experience for me.

Based on the information you provided you are mid to late 20s. I don't know what keeps you in the PNW, but senior commuting is easy, and usually beats commuting in a car with Seattle traffic.

You're so young you can try any of the 50 fabulous states and still be back in Seattle with more money and flexibility with United in 5 years than Alaska, and again, I like Alaska and encourage people to go there, sparing better options. SFO is junior, stay in the PNW and upgrade in a year and a half, or try 777 FO and make essentially 2nd year Alaska Captain pay.

Or move to Chicago, it's an amazing city with fantastic food and architecture, or get DC and enjoy some of the best flying in the system while living on the beach in affordable oceanfront property. Maybe try the Rockies, Texas, or New York. United gives you those options, and the end, if you hate it, you go back, and live a great life commuting to SF. United will stop flying before SF closes.

Also, read for comprehension, United is not buying/merging with AS. It is not congruent with United next, and it isn't happening. If you want to work for United, then go to work for United, they clearly want you.

You're in an enviable position, you'll be happy at Alaska, it's great, but United, it really is next level, and gives you the world by the, well you know.

Best of luck!

Sent from my SM-S908U using Tapatalk

 

Thanks for Diving in. That was really well written. I hope you don't get any grief for that. It's an interesting perspective. Even though I am not in the demographic of the majority of those moving on. It is nice to hear about it firsthand from someone who has done it. Thanks

It's pretty clear that some posers have a specific perspective on if being a pilot at Alaska is a good thing or not. I also found it interesting to see someone's perspective of wanting to stay in the area and not commute. I also found it ironic when another poster had mentioned if it is so bad why do so many stay when a post specifically mentioned why they would consider staying vs. commuting to SFO. There you have it.

 

I think astute advice. But surely you are not suggesting that for a Jet Blue , Spirit, Alaska, Frontier, Alegiant gig….That is just not logical

 

You're single, right?

 

The OP said he had 35+ years to go. 30 years old is young enough, even with a family, to make a move.

Thinking you're "too old" to make big moves is why people stay at Alaska in the first place.

 

Big thing is cost of living. Say I move my family to Bay Area…no way we get something comparable to what we have here. Especially with rates now. Another $1000 a month in housing at least. Plus high utilities. Higher gas prices to commute 2-3 hours to SFO since that’s all we could afford.

Another big one is Cali state income tax. Factor 10%. At top end United 737 pay, take home would actually be less than top end 737 Alaska pay.

Or I commute for 35 years. Not sure I’d enjoy that with a young family. Say United has 4 days more off a month. I’d eat a few of those in commuting. Doesn’t exactly seem worth it. Tough decisions.

 

United used to occupy the N gates.

 

North/South commute on the west coast…Does not really count as a commute…Def not enough of a commute to pick a job over…In the last 26 years have commuted from all four corners…The north /south on the west coast…No air traffic out here no weather out here…I dont even think about it it so darn easy.