Discussion Grenade - B6 vs DAL
 

So here's the discussion grenade...

I'm currently a brand new (<1yr) FO at JetBlue. I like it. Like the people. Like the work. Pay and work rules aren't industry standard, but I'm enjoying it.

Just got an invite to DAL's interviews. Pay and work rules significantly better. Bigger company with a different feel.

WWYD?

Discussion Grenade - B6 vs DAL
 

I am not a fan of the culture of DAL myself , being an outsider of DAL. I like you like my job here at B6, but I wouldn't say no to a good career at DAL. Looking at the long term if things The numbers simply speak the truth, between the numbers and retirements alone I can't see why not , plus with only a year here you don't have much time already committed.

Discussion Grenade - B6 vs DAL
 

Tough call, but I MUCH prefer the culture at JetBlue. The ATL Delta guys need a serious enema.

Why would you submit an application if you didn't desire to work for them?

Definitely do the DAL interview. If DAL shoots you down, your decision is made. If they don't, come back and ask again :)

After reading about all the stuff going on at JetBlue right now, I'm not sure why a guy at the bottom of the JetBlue list wouldn't want to go to DAL unless you really, really, really like their "culture." How long is it going to take to make Airbus Captain there with such a young seniority list? Yeah, Delta is a bigger company with a different feel. The feel is going to be in your back pocket when you sit on your wallet. It will be full of more money, especially if you fly anything bigger than an Airbus there.

Money isn't the most important thing then? As far as the "culture" goes, I could care less about my company's "culture" most of the time. I go to work, fly with a great bunch of guys/gals, then go home. It's probably the same at every airline, including JB and DAL. I'd have a great time flying for JB for sure. I'd have a great time flying at DAL for sure. DAL compensates its pilots much better.

To me it would be a no brainer, but everyone is different.

Like the other person said, go and interview. Nothing is a sure thing. However if you are offered a position at DAL I think that would be the way to go. It'll be different for each person though. Think about things like where you live, where will you be commuting to, healthcare, retirement, relative stability of the company, profit sharing, work rules, how easy is it to drop a trip? My friends at DAL tell me some things about their reserve scheduling and it makes it seem like a dream compared to the regionals. Not sure how B6 does it. Good luck.

Thanks all. Stuff I knew but needed to hear other people say. Interview is scheduled, and midweek should be easy to bid off. Hopefully I'm sitting in early 2014 with a tough choice to make.

I'd be concerned with work rules, domiciles, career/seniority progression, pay, culture in that approximate order.

Culture ranks low on the list, all the majors are probably "good enough" ie you'd have to go to a bottom feeder regional or 135 op to experience truly bad "culture". Most airlines have a bid avoid feature, that should take care of most cultural problems.