METARHIMS

Blueskies7,

As a junior PIC at NJA I'm in a similar position. I can't offer you advice, but I can share my story and maybe it will give you some insight.

It will take me 5-6 years to break even at Delta. 7 at United and at least 11 at Alaska. It is likely there will be significantly more career earnings at legacy carriers, but that is not a guarantee. I do think airlines will have financial struggles again in the future.

I like where I live, so that leaves only one legacy that is a good fit for my current QOL. Some of the NJA guys that live out west in "God's Country" and don't need to worry about the commute, I think they have it best. Waking up to the Grand Tetons every morning beats RSV at EWR regardless of income, but that's just my opinion.

If money is your primary goal, go for the legacies. Any legacies.

However, if you have other things that make you happy, like family, location, built up seniority, tread carefully. The airlines are doing really well now and we could use more labor-friendly management at NJA, but things always change.

Commuting, red-eyes and base changes are not O.K. for me, I've been there and it is not acceptable for my family situation.

Without "current" FAR 121 time or previous military time, I've found I'm at a disadvantage for major/legacy selection. Hopefully that will change.

Good luck.

tsquare

Does Warren Buffet actually sign your paycheck?


joke.

flygirl556

Metarhims has some good advice. Just wondering how old you are, do you currently live in a legacy base, what schedule are you on and does your wife work? Sorry I know these are a lot of questions. My husband works at Nja as well and we've talked about this a lot and have decided that for our current situation, he should stay at Nja and these were all the things we took into consideration. He has said however that if he was the sole bread winner, he'd definitely be looking to move on to a legacy.

Our situation is that I work, we live where we want to live and hopefully some day in the next few years I won't be commuting anymore. Also, he's getting his 4th week of vacation which as you know amounts to 4-3week chunks of time off throughout the year. Could he make more money long term at a legacy-ABSOLUTELY. But we could have a pretty happy life if he has 7 days off at a time with 4 weeks of vacation and nobody commutes and between the two of our paychecks we make enough and our retirement will be enough.
I don't know if that helps you any but that was our thought process.

Also as was stated above by metarhims, they aren't hiring 135 candidates right now in big numbers. Unless you happen to be very well connected, it might take a little while until the time comes where they are hiring Nja folks regularly.

NoSidNoStar

I think this last statement is the most significant.

As far as the years to break even, if you want to make a financial decision, educate yourself on the total remuneration packages.
Read some previous threads, Legacy or Major pilots make much more than just 1000hr/yr credit. Somebody posted you should add at least an extra 30% to that.
QOL is subjective, but if you can move in base, time home is objectively more in a legacy than with 14 or 12 days off for NJA.
Than there is that small detail called safety.

gloopy

The lack of 121 time WRT being competitive for a legacy position is absolutely irrelevant to this discussion. If you don't want the job, don't interview for it. If you want the job, interview for it. They either hire you or they don't.

But not interviewing for a job you either want or don't want because you think you might not get hired is a ridiculous concern.

NYCPiLoT757

Hi Sputnik, I see Blueskies7 mentioned you are in on the Endeavor to Delta deal. I just got an interview scheduled for this same thing with Endeavor. I also interviwed and have a class date set with PSA but I am very uncertain as to which would be the better deal. I am hearing all sorts of attrocities about PSA on here . Any tips on how I can ace this Endeavor interview?? Especially the written which I hear is tough? Any input is appreciated. Thanks!!

NYCPiLoT757

Hi Sputnik, I see Blueskies7 mentioned you are in on the Endeavor to Delta deal. I just got an interview scheduled for this same thing with Endeavor. I also interviwed and have a class date set with PSA but I am very uncertain as to which would be the better deal. I am hearing all sorts of attrocities about PSA on here . Any tips on how I can ace this Endeavor interview?? Especially the written which I hear is tough? Any input is appreciated. Thanks!!

TenYearsGone

I think SPutnik is a military hire. Straight to Delta. From what I recall.


TEN

NoSidNoStar

Good point

Blueskies7

Thanks metarhims and flygirl. The more my wife and I discuss it, we loathe thinking of having to move the kids. We love where we live and our kids are deeply rooted with school and friends. I am 42, and I agree flygirl that 4 weeks vacation which equates to four 3 week vacations, hence 12 weeks in total is awesome. I am going to stay at netjets because as someone mentioned, our basing options are priceless. Thanks for sharing everyone.....