Otterbox

Probably just better off going to AA for the DFW base.

StayFrosty

I actually understand how you felt. While twenty years older than you, I left SWA after six years back in June. SWA is a great place, awesome people, made good money but I was just not happy and going thru the motions. I’m lucky to have a very understanding wife and kids who encouraged me to follow a dream. I consider myself fortunate that I was assigned the 737 in the class drop and since hitting the line I’ve held a line and every week I’m laying over in Mexico or Costa Rica and flying with great people. I know layover destinations shouldn’t be an end all but it was important to me and I couldn’t be happier in my new life and enjoy every minute to its fullest. Even my family has noticed a difference which is humbling to me. My worst day so far at Widget has been easier than elsewhere although I’m biased now (and understand it could change in a heart beat with tweaking of software, for the worse). So good for you in setting a goal and following your dream!

Since June I’ve had pretty quick progression and now sit at 93% system seniority so about 1% per month. For full disclosure, I’m hoping for first available upgrade (I’m older and need to make up lost income) anywhere in the system on the 737 (most likely) or 320. Will it last and get me to 87% or by summer? I don’t know. It could slow down, maybe hold a bit, maybe bidding characteristics change. Whatever happens, (this is gonna sound corny) I believe a higher power put me right where I’m supposed to be and perhaps I don’t recognize the path they have in store but I know I’m at the right place and right path. So follow your dream, (not trying to preach or anything) be the best FO/new hire that you can possibly be, learn a lot, and enjoy every minute of it because I can tell you, one day you wake up in your forties and you want to make sure it’s been a hell of a ride to that point.

Wishing everyone well and safe flying.

Stay Frosty

myrkridia

A bit disappointed to see the advice on here about going to a different category when OP already stated they currently live in Atlanta and are contemplating a move to one of our busiest non-hub domestic airports. I'm sure you heard this plenty of times but you and your wife should consider the lost opportunity of income over the course of your career should you indeed become a commuter. As a TX commuter it's not a bad commute, but if you already live in base that would be hard to justify for me.

ancman

He mentioned that he very recently started with Delta (3 months ago) and moved to Atlanta only to live in base. Without any real roots in Atlanta or with Delta, it’s very easy to make a move to another company or location if doing so is best for QOL.

I’d be wary of getting anyone’s hopes up about the significance of AUS being a busy mainline outstation right now as well. Current management won’t even open a base in BOS, despite it being a stated hub. Getting at-home layovers is nice, but the constant shuffle of flying between fleets makes that difficult to achieve consistently (i.e. the sudden appearance of the 737 in AUS after years of it being only a 220/320 city).

FangsF15

Okay? But he also said he left UA for here, and is very happy with his decision. So…

Meme In Command

If you're wanting to become a very junior 7ERA I'd advice at staying in ATL. Also, this all depends on what exactly pulls you to Austin or even FL since you mentioned potentially commuting FL to NYC. You won't have the seniority to manipulate your schedule to make it commuter friendly. Idk where in ATL you live now, but id encourage you to explore the surrounding areas if you haven't. If you're willing to drive 1hr-1.5 hrs to work, the south side around PTC and the northwest side around the lakes and mountains are very different.

You can also pull out a calculator and show your GF what a last minute day turn GS would pay at 7ERA rate lol.

crewdawg

If you're going to upgrade asap, there is no way I move out of a base. Being junior sucks, being junior and moving to a tough commute, when you're already living in a base, is insanity. I get moving to be near family/lifestyle, but if you do that, I'm not sure I'd chase an upgrade asap. That doesn't do much good when you "live where you want," but are hardly ever there to enjoy it.

Jetlikespeed

ignore buddy he’s a clown🤡🤡 who’s bitter he can’t get out of frontier and rains and everybody’s parade

Going to or leaving a airline is highly personal only you can determine what is best for you

ancman

I mean, if he was very happy living in Atlanta, would this thread exist? I’ve tried it. It’s not for everyone.

I’m simply saying that for someone who wants to spend the next 40+ years living in Texas, there are 2-3 other airlines that will offer better QOL than Delta (with UA obviously crossed off the list). When everyone is hiring and you’re not seniority committed, there is flexibility to make choices that can improve your QOL for decades.

myrkridia

DFW would not be a fun commute either, and they'd be giving up whatever seniority they have now, having already given up UA. Add the fact that DL has slowed down hiring, albeit still high historically, I would not recommend jumping ship. As you say, anything can happen in 40 years. Delta used to have a massive presence in DFW, what happens with AUS is anyone's guess. It's not unreasonable to predict AUS commute as it stands now is as bad as it's going to be for the foreseeable future, and as far as commutes go it's pretty decent with a lot of base options, depending on what you want.