Delta Career Outlook?
09-26-2024 | 06:24 PM
#51
Line Holder
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 475
Likes: 61
he’s actually right about the upgrade time. This was an internal delta projection from last year. It’s not something they put on posters, but senior leadership was telling pilot hiring staff that in training. Anyone hired after 2025 should expect to sit in the right seat for 10 years
edit: I’m not saying it will come to be. But it was definitely said by people who meant it.
edit: I’m not saying it will come to be. But it was definitely said by people who meant it.
Pepperidge Farm remembers.
09-26-2024 | 06:38 PM
#52
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On Reserve
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 146
Likes: 44
It sounds like you have a pretty realistic outlook. I know things are looking bleak over at SWA right now. I've flown with some pilots that bailed from SWA recently and heard some stories. BUT, just make sure you've thought this through. SWA is more than likely just going through a lowpoint and will recover. Things aren't perfect here and don't believe all the hype doomsayers at your current airline say.
Upgrade time is going to be a while with the exception of a few outliers and even then you'll be a junior CA forever. It's still an amazing job either way but just come in with your eyes open to that. Being only 30 you have plenty of time.
I'd say apply and get a CJO and then you can decide. Until then keep doing your research. Your union probably has a contract comparison which would be helpful to see the differences between the two airlines.
Upgrade time is going to be a while with the exception of a few outliers and even then you'll be a junior CA forever. It's still an amazing job either way but just come in with your eyes open to that. Being only 30 you have plenty of time.
I'd say apply and get a CJO and then you can decide. Until then keep doing your research. Your union probably has a contract comparison which would be helpful to see the differences between the two airlines.
09-26-2024 | 07:47 PM
#54
On Reserve
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 90
Likes: 2
FWIW, I came to Delta in my mid-40s from what is technically another major carrier. No regrets - I only wish I could have gotten here sooner. There were numerous folks in my class from JetBlue, SWA, Spirit, Sun Country type of airlines. To the OP - if you got hired here at your age, you will have an absolutely amazing career.
09-26-2024 | 07:55 PM
#55
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Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 381
Likes: 56
For what it's worth, I'm junior and was hired on the downward side of the hiring bell curve. There really is no point in seniority projection exercises. At the end of the day, if it makes financial sense and you like the idea of coming over here, come on over. Nobody in my hiring class is fretting over not having a quick upgrade time. You'll have your choice of 4-5 aircraft types to fly within about two years (A220, A320, B717, B73N, 7ER). That's already a lot more variety. Our reserve rules are great, especially if you live in base. Our pay rules are completely different than WN but in a way which I think makes more sense. I have worked at both DL and WN in non-pilot roles a decade ago and am confident that DL is the better place to be.
09-27-2024 | 02:57 AM
#56
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Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 916
Likes: 6
OP, I hope you find the good advice smuggled among the comments. Even from those stating you missed the boat. While it's true that the unprecedented hiring wave of the last 2.5 years has largely passed, and to a greater extent you would be well on the back side of the curve from the last 10, this has the potential to be a great career and lots of opportunities for progression over your hopefully long career. Don't buy into the doom of comparing how good you will have it to those who won the seniority lottery (which btw is entirely based on luck, not skill) but be sanguine on the expectations of your progression and opportunities over the early years of your career. There's something to be said about the profession having been hyped up in 2022-23 only for new hires now to have their expectations completely subverted.
09-27-2024 | 05:45 AM
#58
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,540
Likes: 506
OP, I hope you find the good advice smuggled among the comments. Even from those stating you missed the boat. While it's true that the unprecedented hiring wave of the last 2.5 years has largely passed, and to a greater extent you would be well on the back side of the curve from the last 10, this has the potential to be a great career and lots of opportunities for progression over your hopefully long career. Don't buy into the doom of comparing how good you will have it to those who won the seniority lottery (which btw is entirely based on luck, not skill) but be sanguine on the expectations of your progression and opportunities over the early years of your career. There's something to be said about the profession having been hyped up in 2022-23 only for new hires now to have their expectations completely subverted.
09-27-2024 | 06:05 AM
#59
Banned
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 874
Likes: 0
it’s overall solid. But just to give you some insight, a captain I flew with is making sure his son goes to United.. he’s at a regional now and said it would be a mistake to come to DL over United with all the growth at United for seniority reasons and QOL from the seniority.
09-27-2024 | 06:11 AM
#60
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,436
Likes: 438
it’s overall solid. But just to give you some insight, a captain I flew with is making sure his son goes to United.. he’s at a regional now and said it would be a mistake to come to DL over United with all the growth at United for seniority reasons and QOL from the seniority.
Just a few years ago, a lot of these Captains were telling people they were complete idiots if they didn't leave for FDX. Now the majors are seeing FDX guys coming over after multiple years on the list. I have a 5 year FDX friend looking to jump to DAL (he'd go to UAL if he lived closer to one of their bases). A 30 year old will have great seniority at either of these airlines. Where they want to live has way more to do with their QOL.
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