Boatbuilder

Might want to take UAL off your list, at least for a few months to see what pans out.

Whoopsmybad

huh? Did I miss something here?

Edit: saw the link in another thread.

DeltaboundRedux

Chicago is a fun place if you’re young and single.

Illinois in general has double the national average in property taxes. Combined with income taxes, Illinois taxes are some of the highest in the nation. If not THE highest.

Met plenty of pilots over the years who can’t get rid of “investment” properties in IL because no one wants to assume a $10k/yr property tax bill…forever. Also…it goes up 3-5% every year, like clockwork.

Their governors routinely get sent to jail for corruption.

When you’re young and not making that much, it’s NBD. If you’re looking at a 40 year career, the amusements of a vibrant night life and nice museums will fade, but your tax bill will only go one direction. (Imagine a +$100k/yr tax bill for 20+ years? What, exactly, are you getting for that?).

TLDR: unless it’s family ties, I’d encourage you to explore other living options over commuting to a DAL job out of Chicago. It’s a big country, there are plenty of amazing places to live.

(I grew up on a Chicago suburb)

thrust

How are you coming up with your $100k/year tax bill? Including federal taxes in that?

FangsF15

A taxable income of $425k will result in a tax bill of nearly $100k in federal alone.

A taxable income of of $600 will result in a total tax bill of $180k, more in high-tax states.

$100k tax bills come sooner than you'd think.

DeltaboundRedux

Yeah, that was a bit imprecise. Sorry. So, yes. (To answer your inquiry)

State, federal, property taxes, sales taxes, etc….they add up.

As the years go by and the opportunity costs become increasingly onerous, lower tax states start looking more attractive.

Income tax sheltering options vary state to state as well. If I had to guess, I’d doubt Illinois is a landlord friendly state.

Otterbox

If you want to to live in ORD for the rest of your days apply to AA and UAL now and even SWA. 2 years is a long time. You're looking at potentially being 20-30% up the seniority list at UAL-AA in two years living in base vs being at the bottom of DAL commuting in 2 years.

I'd prioritize things to get on a mainline seniority list asap.

Ripinpeace

Jumped from EDV to UA with similar “passion” about the delta brand and knowing that’s what I wanted. Ended up leaving UA for DL when I was given the CJO. UA obiv great operation, but I didn’t feel like that’s where I wanted to be & therefore didn’t have the best attitude about the situation (was still grateful to be there). If DL is the goal and you take pride in the delta brand you’ll likely feel outta place in elsewhere (not 100% just my take/my exp). Commuting is not the end, nor is this relative seniority gain/loss UA v DL, you’re so young it won’t matter. Personally, I’d rather live in UA base (I.e. IAH) and commute ATL or NYC if I had to and work at the company I really wanna be at. That belief is the minority, and you gotta decide for yourself. I moved to a DL base, and I think many agree if you can move to in-base, especially with DL, the $ will flow. The real advantages to UA over DL is if your in-base & that’s it. WB flying is at both & plenty of it, unless you’re gonna fly outta EWR or SFO it’s the same WB fly’n outta DL hubs.

Best of luck!

thrust

Not arguing any of that, just seemed that his/her reference to $100k/yr in taxes was state-specific, non-federal.... and that seemed very high, even for the insane property taxes of Illinois.

DryClutch

This is going to come off pretty salty, sorry, so try not to take it too personally. But I rememeber you saying in some other post that you are in your early 20's, and currently at your second legacy, delta. So im honestly just curious, how could you have remotely had any sort of poor attitude at legacy #1 while being hired there in the infancy of your career? I'm pretty certain I would have been thrilled.