UA vs AA living in DC
10-08-2023 | 09:36 AM
#21
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 3,199
Likes: 42
From: Gear slinger
If you’re looking at WB, then UAL in DC. Drive across town is much easier than the drive to Philly and a lot more options. Give or take 4 months depending on bid timing, You can hold 756 within 6 months and 787 in about 12 in DC and 777 in 15 months.
10-11-2023 | 05:51 AM
#23
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,430
Likes: 124
From: Window seat
IAD is a :40 drive. On w/b reserve you'll do that, on average, probably 3-4x a month. I wouldn't choose AA/DCA over UA/IAD to save the time *IF* you want to fly w/b's at some point. Having to drive 2.5 hrs to PHL would suck in comparison.
10-12-2023 | 04:45 PM
#24
Gets Everyday Off
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 6,995
Likes: 1
From: Fully Retired
Outside of reserve, I know several AA WB pilots that jumpseat. Frequency to longer flight ratio is better than NB.
10-13-2023 | 01:22 AM
#25
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 2,928
Likes: 97
Hi folks,
Got my CJOs from both and on the verge of deciding now which would give me the better quality of life.
Just turned 52, no kids, just me and my wife.
Retirement numbers seem to favor American in the long term, but UA has many more wide-body planes coming online soon.
United has much younger pilot community, so not sure how my advanced age would fit into that group. At AA I would still feel on the young side I guess.
I really want to optimize my time at work and maximize my days off.
I don't mind which aircraft I am going to fly, but long term the bus is easier on the body, just more comfortable work environment.
Not really keen on jumping on the WB fleet any time soon, been doing that for the last couple of years and want to be in bed at night, not the bunk.
I want to stay in DC, not planning to move anywhere before I retire.
What do you think?
Got my CJOs from both and on the verge of deciding now which would give me the better quality of life.
Just turned 52, no kids, just me and my wife.
Retirement numbers seem to favor American in the long term, but UA has many more wide-body planes coming online soon.
United has much younger pilot community, so not sure how my advanced age would fit into that group. At AA I would still feel on the young side I guess.
I really want to optimize my time at work and maximize my days off.
I don't mind which aircraft I am going to fly, but long term the bus is easier on the body, just more comfortable work environment.
Not really keen on jumping on the WB fleet any time soon, been doing that for the last couple of years and want to be in bed at night, not the bunk.
I want to stay in DC, not planning to move anywhere before I retire.
What do you think?
This year, I went from Feb to April to not flying, the summer month was busy flying my tail off, however, got to enjoy the layovers. As the summer flying winds down this month, there will not be much flying to be had.
On top of that, the drive to Dulles isn’t terrible. Sure having DCA next door is great, but 40 minutes with traffic. Not terrible…
Good luck to ya! Either direction you choose will be a good decision.
10-13-2023 | 03:29 AM
#26
Thread Starter
New Hire
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Thanks!
Which fleet are you on?
Which fleet are you on?
I am bias, you need to come to UAL if you are in DC. I wouldn’t take WB off as a consideration if you in live in base either at UAL… There’s a lot of opportunities on the WB at United to just chill at home without seeing much yearly use…
This year, I went from Feb to April to not flying, the summer month was busy flying my tail off, however, got to enjoy the layovers. As the summer flying winds down this month, there will not be much flying to be had.
On top of that, the drive to Dulles isn’t terrible. Sure having DCA next door is great, but 40 minutes with traffic. Not terrible…
Good luck to ya! Either direction you choose will be a good decision.
This year, I went from Feb to April to not flying, the summer month was busy flying my tail off, however, got to enjoy the layovers. As the summer flying winds down this month, there will not be much flying to be had.
On top of that, the drive to Dulles isn’t terrible. Sure having DCA next door is great, but 40 minutes with traffic. Not terrible…
Good luck to ya! Either direction you choose will be a good decision.
10-13-2023 | 06:56 AM
#28
Thread Starter
New Hire
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Interesting, good airframe to be on, so it seems.
I would like to maximize my daytime flying, been flying mostly at night in Asia and it just kills me in the long run.
Which UA fleet to start off at EWR or SFO before that 756 in IAD becomes available to bid? Does it even matter?
Thanks
Dan
I would like to maximize my daytime flying, been flying mostly at night in Asia and it just kills me in the long run.
Which UA fleet to start off at EWR or SFO before that 756 in IAD becomes available to bid? Does it even matter?
Thanks
Dan
10-13-2023 | 02:33 PM
#29
Line Holder
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 673
Likes: 12
From: B767 Captain
United actually has a fair amount of flying out of DCA. I don’t think it goes super senior, I used to get it all the time on the 756 before we closed the base during Covid. The airbus and 737 still have significant operations at DCA (and BWI).
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