Expect the MCO base to be super senior, at least on the CA side, like all the other MCO based airlines.

But I’m not nearly as smart as some of the folks on here either so don’t quote me on that.

 

I believe AA is far behind the hiring curve than UA or DL, at least based on what I’ve read on here…so his loss of three years seniority there might be quickly caught back up at AA.

However, the last line of my previous comment on this page applies to this as well…you guys are much more savvy than me.

 

I left United after less than 1 year so I didn't have to commute. 3 years? I'd stay in United now and get to MCO aa soon as it opens, even if if means being an FO. You wouldn't hold CA at AA right away.

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad I left United for AA, but it wasn't even a year for me. Just like you, I hated the commuting rules there and updated my AA app 1 month after IOE.

 

Contract BS is a lot easier to deal with hanging out in your pool than it is in the terminal trying to commute home.

Having done both, Life is infinitely better living in base and a short drive to work is infinitely better.

Unfortunately, you’re probably right. Especially when it comes to reserve rules. Endless conversions to field standby and short call are awful. Even the ****tiest AA Wholly Owned regionals have a limit on conversions each month. I totally get your position. In your shoes I’d update my app, study the Cut E stuff for the pilot skills test and be at AAs next job fair.

 

Couldn’t agree more. Just managing expectations on the contract front is all.

 

How close to MIA are you? How close to MCO? If you live in the MIA metro area I’d definitely consider making the jump. MIA is a great base, pretty JR, lots of opportunities. 6 to 9 years ago, I’d have said don’t give up the seniority, but in today’s environment, you’ll have plenty below you on the seniority list quickly and should hold MIA right away, CA in 3 to 4 years. Usual caveats apply. What I certainly wouldn’t do is put the contract in your decision matrix. We likely will get similar contracts close to at the same time. I’m sure you have some serious doom and gloomers on your internal forum that say “we will never get a contract”, “we suck”, “Kirby will never pay us” etc. We have the same folks, they might be right but historically are wrong (same ones predicted the end of airlines due to Covid, then due to Zoom meetings, then inflation)

 

At the risk of hijacking the thread, maybe some of the info will help the OP in his decision too:

I’m 2 hours from MCO, 5 from MIA, 5 from ATL, and a long drive has never bothered me in a pinch. It’s also pretty easy to get everywhere from where I’m at by air, with ATL having the most frequency of flights, but commuting is commuting which means JFK, CLT, etc is not much different than waiting for a flight to get to ATL. Unfortunately I can’t move into base. Currently fly WB and enjoy it, would like to stick with it unless there is a significant advantage to flying NB. Would like to upgrade some day but if it doesn’t happen it’s ok. Don’t think United will ever have WB in MCO. A little more than 20 years left, didn’t think I’d be looking at the majors right now so I’m somewhat ill-informed. Curious what you guys would do if you were gonna start from the bottom in my shoes. Weird time where we actually get to choose, for the most part, where we want to end up.

 

Your post didn't say (or maybe I missed it) where your current domicile is and if you're at a legacy or not. Were you considering leaving your current WB job and switch to AA/UA/DL?

 

My bad, north Florida, ACMI, and I do plan to switch, although I’m not unhappy with my current job, nor any flying job I’ve had for that matter. I tend to be happy as long as I still have a medical. 😂

 

I recommend MCO/UAL since it's the easiest commute/drive.