Interesting thread, I left Continental in 91 for AA, thought it was a "no brainer". Better retirement, gone, better pay, not any more. If I had stayed I'd be a 777 CA at United, here I'm a junior A320 CA. Hindsight being 20/20 I'd be better off if I had stayed but you can't look back. Do what works best for you and your situation.

I stand corrected. I just got the text, he was hired May 2014. Makes more and more time off....... this place sucks much larger donkey dong than I thought.

Going from Continental to AMR in 91 was a no brainer. Continental had the worst pay and was always in financial trouble. Until recently, Continental had very poor pay so I don't think you missed out on much.

So Delta was better off when they announced bankruptcy and AA had not yet?
My dad has flown at Delta since 85 and my mom since 96 and both have told me they have taken their turn at the bottom. Everyone will and right now it's AA because we are last out of bankruptcy and merging three airlines.
Every airline can be great or HELL depending on who they hire as a CEO and President. AA will have their day at the top and bottom just like everyone else has.

Yep.

Delta wasn't always sunshine and lollipops.

Some would say that Leo was pretty crappy mgmt. He brought in all sorts of people from banking and utilities who didn't understand airlines in the least.

And he made sure a few dozen of them got bankruptcy-proof pensions (and lifetime positive space 1st class travel) before he-and they-all bailed.

You are right. It's a huge mistake to think that anything stays the same very long in this industry.

The biggest problem I have are the structural issues. Buying back stock instead of investing in the product/service first is the biggest one.

Delta made moves (and is continuing to do so) to position themselves well. Now they are raking in the money. We are doing the opposite - spending the money now hoping it continues to roll in into the future.

Just IMO.

Ive been thinking about it as well. I've got 2000+ under me though, so there's no way I would do that. I can drive to work and the retirements are huge.

More than 10% underneath anyone would make leaving a rather foolish choice unless of course it would eliminate a commute. The paycut would be huge, probation again, possible furlough because of forfeited seniority would make it even worse.

UAL was sh*t hot in the late 90's, then SWA and now DL. Things change. They always do. 5-7 years from now half the pilot group is going to be recycled. If you're on 1st or 2nd year pay and live in Atlanta though, tougher choice.

Get hired first and then make it.

Yup. People here talk as if they can move to any airline they want just because they fly for AA. First you have to get the interview and then you need to be offered a job. THEN you can make a decision.

Sheesh. Cart before the horse.

With that said, if you have ten years here and you are even half seriously considering leaving for DL now, then, well....

Delta definitely has better management but they've bought back lots of stock as well.

Delta is like Alaska. You go do the interview then say no thanks you can kiss ever getting another interview goodbye. I'll never get another call from Alaska Air group, because I said thanks, but no thanks. You make the decision to go first, then go and don't look back.