Should you leave AA?
#31
Should you leave AA?
The only other 121 job I'd leave for is FedEx. IF they opened their Alliance sort facility as a crew base. If you live in base, are year 3 pay or above, the 'golden handcuffs' get quite comfortable!
Edit:
IF I commuted, I'd be looking for domiciles I could live in (1), seniority/pay comparisons (2). If I was going to commute no matter what - FedEx without a doubt. Two close friends there, they both love it a lot more than I like AA.
Edit:
IF I commuted, I'd be looking for domiciles I could live in (1), seniority/pay comparisons (2). If I was going to commute no matter what - FedEx without a doubt. Two close friends there, they both love it a lot more than I like AA.
#32
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2013
Posts: 321
One thing not to forget is the value of the pension. You would have to make an extra $2 million or so at AA over the course of a career to match the value of a $120k/Year pension at UPS. UPS and FedEx are way ahead of all the airlines if you are looking at it from just the compensation angle.
#33
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2007
Position: Always Fly With Favorite Captain
Posts: 377
The big question wrt "Career V1" is an inexact, philosophical one. The 2 main groups seem to fall into 2 categories: 1) Those who have a "brass ring" type of position, but not their first choice. 2) Potential "Captain/Lifestyle Lifers" at a regional, ULCC, or ACMI outfit, 50 something.
No dog in the hunt for me, but this thread relevant to Category 1. Offhand, I'd say that if you have 2 or more years with company, and are above the bottom 10% seniority, you'd be better off sticking around, unless there are strong domicile preference issues. Even then, still a bit of a crap shoot.
No dog in the hunt for me, but this thread relevant to Category 1. Offhand, I'd say that if you have 2 or more years with company, and are above the bottom 10% seniority, you'd be better off sticking around, unless there are strong domicile preference issues. Even then, still a bit of a crap shoot.
#34
Banned
Joined APC: Dec 2009
Position: Narrow/Left Wide/Right
Posts: 3,655
Consider that the ten plus year FO's have become jaded by being stuck in the right seat for SO long. Can't blame them, honestly. It wears them down.
With that said, this era is not the same. Upward movement is happening. Those ten year guys are starting to see upgrades. The more junior guys will spend MUCH less time in the right seat, which makes for happier pilots overall.
With that said, this era is not the same. Upward movement is happening. Those ten year guys are starting to see upgrades. The more junior guys will spend MUCH less time in the right seat, which makes for happier pilots overall.
At Delta many 10+ FOs remain in that seat on purpose which is why you see such junior narrow body Capt's in NYC and now ATL.
After reading this thread, sometimes I think Deltas largest competitive advantage is being union free with the exception of the pilots. For better or worse it surely makes it easier for Mgmt to cull the herd of bad apples.
#35
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2016
Position: 6th place
Posts: 1,826
One thing not to forget is the value of the pension. You would have to make an extra $2 million or so at AA over the course of a career to match the value of a $120k/Year pension at UPS. UPS and FedEx are way ahead of all the airlines if you are looking at it from just the compensation angle.
Very true. But for people with 30+ years left there is absolutely no guarantee the pension will be there when you retire. Just look at every other airline, and industry for that matter. It will probably be there but you never know. 30 years is a long time.
#36
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2015
Posts: 135
OTS civilian new hire here. I had an offer with FX and AA. I picked AA and deleted all my other apps. I didn't want to fly at night, commute to Memphis, or risk being replaced by Amazon and drones. AA has the best bases and fastest movement. I have 34yrs of flying ahead... Management and contracts will come and go many times in that time. DL may be the best right now, but they won't be forever!
AA is a good gig. Don't forget all the thousands of RJ drivers out there that would kill to be here. Be grateful!
AA is a good gig. Don't forget all the thousands of RJ drivers out there that would kill to be here. Be grateful!
#37
OTS civilian new hire here. I had an offer with FX and AA. I picked AA and deleted all my other apps. I didn't want to fly at night, commute to Memphis, or risk being replaced by Amazon and drones. AA has the best bases and fastest movement. I have 34yrs of flying ahead... Management and contracts will come and go many times in that time. DL may be the best right now, but they won't be forever!
AA is a good gig. Don't forget all the thousands of RJ drivers out there that would kill to be here. Be grateful!
AA is a good gig. Don't forget all the thousands of RJ drivers out there that would kill to be here. Be grateful!
#38
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2014
Posts: 1,681
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.
I get the feeling AA is about to see such a change.
The board can't possibly be happy with all the stock buybacks in lieu of debt pay down.
#39
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2016
Position: 6th place
Posts: 1,826
I'm sure the board is happy with the buybacks, they're good for the stock price. They're probably just as short-sighted as Parker.
#40
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,107
The BODs are the folks responsible for the decision to buy back stock. They also control the issuance of debt. So, even if Parker disagrees it doesn't matter. The BOD in essence runs the company, they are Parker's boss.
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