Corporate to Airline... UAL or SWA
01-30-2023, 09:00 AM
#1
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Joined APC: Jan 2023
Position: Dassault Falcons - Left, Right, and Rear
Posts: 1
Corporate to Airline... UAL or SWA
OK... so this is going to sound absurd because, well, it is.
I've been a corporate guy for a long time, and absolutely love the lifestyle... until recently, I had NO desire to do the airlines - ergo, I know nothing about them. On a friend's recommendation (several actually) I applied and interviewed at a number of mainlines and am now in a position to choose between UAL and SWA.
I've never done the 121 thing, so have no idea how the commuting, or union, or lifestyles are so looking for some insight.
I live in Dallas, so SWA is the easy choice as far as being able to live where I work. +1
I love doing international flying and flying big jets so UAL and the opportunity for international wide body is appealing +1
SWA is 737 for life. -1
UAL would be commuting to Houston or somewhere. -1
SWA upgrade times are still ~7 years or so.
UAL upgrades are quicker.
Many of my friends in the airlines are staying in senior FO spots rather than upgrading to hold lines... but $100+ per hour difference seems like a no brainer to me... is upgrading to a junior position that much worse?
I'm so far behind the curve as I have to make a fairly significant decision on a fairly limited time horizon. Anyone want to offer any words of wisdom?
Thanks!
I've been a corporate guy for a long time, and absolutely love the lifestyle... until recently, I had NO desire to do the airlines - ergo, I know nothing about them. On a friend's recommendation (several actually) I applied and interviewed at a number of mainlines and am now in a position to choose between UAL and SWA.
I've never done the 121 thing, so have no idea how the commuting, or union, or lifestyles are so looking for some insight.
I live in Dallas, so SWA is the easy choice as far as being able to live where I work. +1
I love doing international flying and flying big jets so UAL and the opportunity for international wide body is appealing +1
SWA is 737 for life. -1
UAL would be commuting to Houston or somewhere. -1
SWA upgrade times are still ~7 years or so.
UAL upgrades are quicker.
Many of my friends in the airlines are staying in senior FO spots rather than upgrading to hold lines... but $100+ per hour difference seems like a no brainer to me... is upgrading to a junior position that much worse?
I'm so far behind the curve as I have to make a fairly significant decision on a fairly limited time horizon. Anyone want to offer any words of wisdom?
Thanks!
01-31-2023, 03:20 PM
#3
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,261
Driving to work is huge. But at UA, you could upgrade asap, make millions and retire before you could hold a line as a SWA CA.
Look into seniority progression at IAH and LUV. Getting in as a junior FO is one thing, in this climate you can get into almost any base at any airline within months. How fast you move up the ladder, upgrade, and then move up the CA ladder will have major ramifications for years to come.
The commute would be mitigated by the fact that you *could* drive to work if necessary. Three hours drive is about my upper limit for a regular commute but if traffic is light and you get a Tesla, four would be doable occasionally.
Look into seniority progression at IAH and LUV. Getting in as a junior FO is one thing, in this climate you can get into almost any base at any airline within months. How fast you move up the ladder, upgrade, and then move up the CA ladder will have major ramifications for years to come.
The commute would be mitigated by the fact that you *could* drive to work if necessary. Three hours drive is about my upper limit for a regular commute but if traffic is light and you get a Tesla, four would be doable occasionally.
01-31-2023, 04:39 PM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2015
Position: Gear slinger
Posts: 2,897
How old are you?
Culturally, the pilots at SWA are probably more mission oriented and harder working than UA. Operationally SWA has been becoming a greater ****show with every passing season.
United will have variety of flying and ability to upgrade both aircraft and seats.
Driving to work is great though.
Culturally, the pilots at SWA are probably more mission oriented and harder working than UA. Operationally SWA has been becoming a greater ****show with every passing season.
United will have variety of flying and ability to upgrade both aircraft and seats.
Driving to work is great though.
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