Should you leave AA?
#11
New Hire
Joined APC: Jun 2014
Posts: 3
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.
#12
Line Holder
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Apr 2016
Position: A320 FO
Posts: 99
#13
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2016
Position: A350 CA
Posts: 295
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.
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2013
Position: E190 FO
Posts: 324
There has never been a time in history when DAL was worse off then AA. Delta has much better management and always has.
If you commute for either one or live in a DAL base the choice is a no-brainer. IMO.
I would at least apply first, you can't turn down a job you don't have.
Over time, DAL, SWA, jetBlue, and Spirit/Frontier are going to eat our lunch. Our product is crap compared to DAL/jetBlue and our front facing people are bitter and absolutely hate customers. Hell, even our own employees hate each other.
Why am I still here? I plan to move/retire to a junior AA base and AA can at least give me a couple more years so I can walk away if needed.
If you commute for either one or live in a DAL base the choice is a no-brainer. IMO.
I would at least apply first, you can't turn down a job you don't have.
Over time, DAL, SWA, jetBlue, and Spirit/Frontier are going to eat our lunch. Our product is crap compared to DAL/jetBlue and our front facing people are bitter and absolutely hate customers. Hell, even our own employees hate each other.
Why am I still here? I plan to move/retire to a junior AA base and AA can at least give me a couple more years so I can walk away if needed.
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.
#15
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Joined APC: May 2014
Posts: 1,681
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.
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.
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.
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,096
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.
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.
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.
#17
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jul 2015
Position: CA
Posts: 60
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.
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.
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,533
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....
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....
#19
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2016
Position: 6th place
Posts: 1,826
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.
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.
Delta definitely has better management but they've bought back lots of stock as well.
#20
Line Holder
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Apr 2016
Position: A320 FO
Posts: 99
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....
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....
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