BNA: AA or DAL
11-02-2023 | 03:14 PM
#11
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C) This is always a moving target. Delta seems to already be on the upswing in terms of upgrade times going back up. AA upgrade times have been coming down across the board (1.5-2.5 years in most bases). Retirements at American will almost definitely keep upgrade times low for a long time. If you want to evaluate growth and external factors (age 67), that's anyone's guess.
11-02-2023 | 06:02 PM
#12
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Joined: Jul 2021
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Super appreciated. I did not realize upgrades were still sub 1 year, and not fully aware of jumpseat reservations at DAL, if I'm reading your post right. Is there an explanation for why captain is going so junior, because it seems statistically improbably given the way the hiring wave at DAL shook out?
By "18 hours call is a hell of a thing" you mean good, right? Or hidden gotchas?
By "18 hours call is a hell of a thing" you mean good, right? Or hidden gotchas?
As far as the junior captain upgrades, many people like QOL more and there are some senior FO's that make more than captains by rolling thunder/picking up greenslips (premium trips) and working the system, which isn't hard to do when you're senior (it's seniority-based).
If the commute is a short term thing and you're looking at moving to SLC anyway, I think the decision is a no-brainer.
Side note. Everyone talks about seniority when they talk about AA. Seniority = QOL and not getting furloughed. QOL is generally good across the board even when you're junior here. DL also avoided furloughing pilots during COVID. Food for thought.
11-03-2023 | 08:08 AM
#13
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Joined: Jul 2016
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Don’t let the financials concern you. At this point, no major US airline will fail. Run to AA don’t look back.
11-03-2023 | 08:24 AM
#14
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Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 2,248
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nope you’re not. Definitely go to AA. You’ve missed the boat for delta. They’ve hired the most since 2014 and you’d maybe be a 330/350 capt for the last 7ish years of your career as the plug. Time to widebody fo is the about the same now and trending sooner at AA.
Don’t let the financials concern you. At this point, no major US airline will fail. Run to AA don’t look back.
Don’t let the financials concern you. At this point, no major US airline will fail. Run to AA don’t look back.
As it stands now:
If the poster wants to eventually move to SLC and/or SEA, they'd be a fool to choose to commute for 30yrs vs drive to work.
Will you get "more senior" at AA sooner, probably.
Will you commute to MIA, NYC, DFW forever, absolutely.
Now if your willing to change from SEA/SLC to say MIA/FLL, then going to AA is a no brainer. 30+ yrs of commuting will make a big difference on QOL.
11-03-2023 | 12:29 PM
#16
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,329
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From: A320 CA
Yeah, it kind of is. That said, if you love BNA and want to stay there…do that no choose that way. Are your kids graduating in 6 years? Think they will stay in BNA? Want to live near them?…or if you don’t care bout living near them, what would be your dream city to live in and why? What would your wife’s dream city be? Have you visited more than just the nice tourist areas? Etc.
11-03-2023 | 12:51 PM
#17
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Joined: Apr 2010
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You might arrive at that conclusion sitting in a jumpseat...it happens.
For posterity.
11-03-2023 | 03:08 PM
#18
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 556
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From: On all fours
In about a year from now, you'll find the peace of mind in knowing that moving to DFW was the correct choice.
You might arrive at that conclusion sitting in a jumpseat...it happens.
For posterity.
You might arrive at that conclusion sitting in a jumpseat...it happens.
For posterity.
11-03-2023 | 04:37 PM
#19
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Joined: Jul 2010
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This time it's about BNA. CJO's from both. Early 30s. Married no kids. Extended family lives in DFW, I own a house there, but we're going to live in BNA for awhile, and I hate the summers in Dallas.
I'm leaning AA...
Retirements/Seniority progression faster/furlough cushion....less as much at DAL, I think/behind the wave
More surefire quick captain upgrade....DAL not sure how long it will stay junior.
Fleet modernized already pre-COVID, low interest rates....DAL might incur more financial obligation later
Serious about paying down debt...DAL tbd
Reserve the jumpseat...ish.....although DAL has 18 hour callout with a 4 hour drive to ATL
9 to 11 flights a day to DFW....fewer with DAL where rest of my extended family lives
Could snoop for open time in DFW, NYC, DC, and CLT...maybe.
Parents house could be my DFW crash pad....or drive to ATL 4 hrs if needed worst case with DAL
Not worried about what airframe I get or how quick (if ever) to WB. Love to live in SLC or SEA someday again but not in the cards for 5 years at least/still a maybe. Mostly pondering seniority movement/security and probability of captain upgrade in under 5 years (absurdly selfish by historical standards I know)
My sense is that Delta is doing better on paper and has a good brand, but I see a lot of potential at AA going forward.
Anything I'm missing.
I'm leaning AA...
Retirements/Seniority progression faster/furlough cushion....less as much at DAL, I think/behind the wave
More surefire quick captain upgrade....DAL not sure how long it will stay junior.
Fleet modernized already pre-COVID, low interest rates....DAL might incur more financial obligation later
Serious about paying down debt...DAL tbd
Reserve the jumpseat...ish.....although DAL has 18 hour callout with a 4 hour drive to ATL
9 to 11 flights a day to DFW....fewer with DAL where rest of my extended family lives
Could snoop for open time in DFW, NYC, DC, and CLT...maybe.
Parents house could be my DFW crash pad....or drive to ATL 4 hrs if needed worst case with DAL
Not worried about what airframe I get or how quick (if ever) to WB. Love to live in SLC or SEA someday again but not in the cards for 5 years at least/still a maybe. Mostly pondering seniority movement/security and probability of captain upgrade in under 5 years (absurdly selfish by historical standards I know)
My sense is that Delta is doing better on paper and has a good brand, but I see a lot of potential at AA going forward.
Anything I'm missing.
Down turn might be approaching soon…already started at spirit, frontier, JetBlue, FedEx and ups. It will be here after next summer for all of us. AA furloughed pilots faster than everyone last time.
11-03-2023 | 04:43 PM
#20
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,292
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You mentioned that AA is serious in paying down debt. Delta is the one with less debt and is paying it down as fast as it can. Also the one that made more profit this last quarter and probably the sum of all year, delta.
Down turn might be approaching soon…already started at spirit, frontier and JetBlue. It will be here after next summer for all of us. AA furloughed pilots faster than everyone last time.
Down turn might be approaching soon…already started at spirit, frontier and JetBlue. It will be here after next summer for all of us. AA furloughed pilots faster than everyone last time.
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