morecoffee

I have been extremely fortunate enough to receive CJO's from both DL and UA. I am having a little bit of trouble trying to make a decision on which airline to go to.

For context, I just turned 24 and live in LAX. Both UA and DL have LAX bases which seem to be fairly junior enough for both airlines. I have no kids/ am single/ and my goal is to ultimately fly WB. I know UA has a bigger international presence, and they have a 787 fleet based here in LA. DL has their a350s based in LA as well so it seems like I will be able to eventually fly WB at both. I guess what it comes down to is QOL, financial opportunities, schedule flexbility, overall company etc.

If any of you are at either airline, your experience and input would be greatly appreciated. How easy is it to get time off, how often to premium trips come along, how happy (or unhappy) are you at the company, etc. I know both airlines are great so I'm just kind of struggling to make a decision.

At UA, I am expecting to be the 8 ball or close to it, and get a CA slot during indoc (subject to change but that seems to be the trend right now), and will be seat locked for 2 years before I can go back to FO. At DL, I would be fairly senior in my class because of SSN.

Before you give me ****- yes, I understand my pririvlege and I am extremely, EXTREMELY grateful to have this "struggle". TIA

myrkridia

In case you don't get enough answers here...

Delta Forum
UA or DA?
Delta or United
United CJO vs Delta CJO
Delta vs United

​​​​​​United Forum
United or Delta
UAL vs DAL vs AA
United vs Delta (lives in LAX area)
WWYD... DAL or UAL
DAL To UAL
Bird in the hand? (another UA/DAL thread)
Leave dal for united?

myrkridia

One thing I'll add is to not even consider the seniority in your initial drop as a factor. It will not even be a blip in a potentially long career ahead of you. If WB flying on the west coast is a determining factor, based on current metrics it's hard to argue for Delta in this case, unless upgrading is not even interesting to you ever.

170Till5

I would go UAL for LAX and SFO flying. Especially if you want WB. Seniority progression is better at UAL too with retirements and the growth. United is more of a west coast airline

Khantahr

This is probably correct. The only downside of United might be getting forced to upgrade right away (if that's a thing they do). Your schedule would probably really, really suck until you could get out of that seat.

170Till5

living in base on reserve is not bad at all though. Especially with 18 hour call out

ShegotheD

I agree; if WB is your ultimate goal, then go to UA..... However, a lot in life changes through your twenties and thirties. Just to name a few, kids, spouse, parties events, etc... I know it's easy to think the WB life is all you want when you are 24 (Don't take that the wrong way), but I would look at the overall company and culture.

You can't go wrong with either company, you will have a long career either way!

Milksheikh

Go to UA and don’t look back. Given your situation this is a no brainer. You’ll get 777 within a month or 2 as opposed to several years for WB at delta. Delta has hired a much higher percentage of their seniority list since 2014 although given you’re 24 this isn’t as much a factor down the road. Widebody capt will come sooner at UA. Congrats!

DeadStick

Seems like a very easy decision to me. Go to United! Kirby says 28,000 pilots by 2030. Kirby also advertises Boom Jets by 2029.

A CEO doesn’t make these types of definitive proclamations based on speculation or conjecture. To do so would imply that he believes his customers, employees, and shareholders are all idiots. Surely that can’t be the case.

khergan

In spite of the Kirby hate, UA is still a better place in the California area to fly WB as of this moment. You'll get in the right seat of a 787/777 faster and the company is *currently* growing faster.

That does not, however, indicate that UA is a better company or that Kirby's long term goals or business plan will succeed. Delta is a better run company and makes more profit. Will that stay the same? Who knows...everyone was in BK in the early 2000s. Any of these companies could go to **** in the next recession or black swan event.