A lot more than 10. 5 more years to go. Personally, I don't have to worry about it anymore...but I've seen a lot in this industry, just trying to help the next generation try and stay away from the landmines.

Money is nice, but it's the quality of life that you gain that will be important in the long run. It may not matter now, but it will matter when you can't trade out of a trip for your anniversary or kid's ball game. Or if you lose your medical and you suddenly realize you've taken a much larger paycut than you would have if you had invested your career at a different callsign. American will never give you the the QOL that Delta, United - or heck, even Spirit will.

Consider that the numbers I posted are with a bankruptcy contract that gives AAL substantial efficiency gains compared to the other majors. This is marathon, not a sprint and you've got to look at a big picture that goes beyond the next paycheck you cash.

 

Money is nice, but it's the quality of life that you gain that will be important in the long run. It may not matter now, but it will matter when you can't trade out of a trip for your anniversary or kid's ball game. Or if you lose your medical and you suddenly realize you've taken a much larger paycut than you would have if you had invested your career at a different callsign. American will never give you the the QOL that Delta, United - or heck, even Spirit will.

Consider that the numbers I posted are with a bankruptcy contract that gives AAL substantial efficiency gains compared to the other majors. This is marathon, not a sprint and you've got to look at a big picture that goes beyond the next paycheck you cash.[/QUOTE]

Correct and living in base with good seniority to me is QOL.

 

Correct and living in base with good seniority to me is QOL.[/QUOTE]

Exactly. Everyone has problems. DAL and UA have some ugly skeletons in their closets as well. We will get a contract and it will be better and we have to make sure it's what we want/need. How many folks on here always say seniority is everything? Haha. Exactly. Hence, don't be shortsighted like you said.

Go to DAL, proverbial music stops, now you're at 99% for the foreseeable future, when you could've been still 30-40%. Can't do much at 99% no matter what your company/contract. Everyone has to do what they think is best.

Drive to work.
Seniority is everything.
Good luck to those looking to make moves.

 

Seniority is everything when comparing equals. But AA has been knocked down a tier or two. That said if it’s a choice between driving to work or commuting for 30+ years I would take the drive and accept less in career earnings. But with an understanding that I’m probably giving up at least 7 figures.

 

7 figures to me is worth the time I’ll get with family. I’ll still retire a millionaire with 31 years at AA. And with side stuff not worried. The time I’ll get with family is priceless. If you can’t survive off of 300K you won’t survive off 400K there.

This month 2nd month at AA LC reserve I spent 4 nights away from home, 19 days off. Next month already got a line I traded some trips and got 15 off, 2 long layovers at home, all commutable (until I move from west side of Florida to east) 2.5 weekends off, and 3 trips ends early (I like ending with a red eye so I bid it) where I get most of those day at home so basically 16.5 off and 2 layovers at home. That’s all with being junior, can imagine it getting better with seniority.

Example, at Delta it would take me to 2033 to hit 10K seniority. Here is, 2026/7.

 

yeah it’s definitely not a one size fits all equation. We all have our priorities and I also prioritize QOL. But for potential new hires they should know that comparing a career at AAL and DAL is not comparing equally valuable careers. They might climb the seniority list faster at AAL but they will make significantly less money and more than likely have less variety of flying available to them as we move towards an 80/20 short haul vs long haul carrier.

 

Preach. Different strokes. I'm here because I want to be. Splitting hairs between 4 mil or 5 mil, retirement $$$, it's a first world problem. Again. I'm fine making 300-350K. Especially when my QoL is great and only going to get better. Ride the wave and be sub 25% in seat/equip within 4 yrs? Ok. I'm just a little senior to you and I went to sub 55% on my DOH anniversary. Bubbas out there that went whole careers never seeing that. Better to be Blessed/lucky than good. Haha.

 

Correct and living in base with good seniority to me is QOL.[/QUOTE]

What does living in base matter if you have less hard days off, make less money, and very little schedule flexibility? So you don’t have to wake up a couple hours early to commute? Cool.

 

What does living in base matter if you have less hard days off, make less money, and very little schedule flexibility? So you don’t have to wake up a couple hours early to commute? Cool.[/QUOTE]

Couple hours? To some means you commute day before, stay in crashpads, hours of sitting at the airport to get on flights, loss of ability to pick up last minute premiums, the headaches of constantly looking which flights to shoot for. I’d rather loose a day or 2 off and not commute than have to commute and have 2 extra days off which I’ll loose by commuting lol

 

Couple hours? To some means you commute day before, stay in crashpads, hours of sitting at the airport to get on flights, loss of ability to pick up last minute premiums, the headaches of constantly looking which flights to shoot for. I’d rather loose a day or 2 off and not commute than have to commute and have 2 extra days off which I’ll loose by commuting lol[/QUOTE]

To some, yes. To others not so much. For many commuters, the choice is commute to any airline they decide to work at (such as myself). If I’ve got options I’m going to pick based on many factors that AA just doesn’t rank that highly in.

Living in base is an intrinsic value that’s hard to quantify and is valued differently by each individual. I don’t see any legacy airline base that I would consider living in or moving my family to so it’s a moot point for me. All I’m saying is that living in base but having less days off and less flexibility isn’t really a great trade off. I’d rather have the days off I want than the trips I want.