Turning down Delta for Hawaiian
06-05-2023, 03:21 AM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: May 2019
Posts: 108
Turning down Delta for Hawaiian
Hello everyone! Apologies for starting a new thread with a personal situation, but I am looking for some advice and perhaps - some encouragement.
I am in a very undeserved, but fortunate situation of having job offers from Hawaiian, Delta, American, and Southwest. This is in no way a reflection of my qualifications as a pilot, but just the times we live in and the timing of things.
Words cannot express how grateful I am for being given all these opportunities in front of me, but I have been losing a lot of sleep over the past few days with the monumental task of choosing my final destination.
Without getting into too much detail, I decided to set aside American and Southwest and now left with choosing between Hawaiian and Delta.
Delta was everything that I expected. Money, glory, hats, sense of elitism and pride of being part of what is now widely considered the best airline in the world. With little doubt, I am looking at years of fine successful career and accomplished life with Delta.
With that said, I am also looking at being at the bottom of 16,000 pilot group with over 50% of the seniority list being new hires since 2014 with average age of 35 and life in one of the mainland Gotham cities.
Like most people, I look forward to being a wide body captain someday, and it's calculated to be at least 15-20 years until I can be a 'true' widebody captain at Delta. (not counting the 767 fleet with narrowbody pay scale)
But despite all that Delta has the best benefits and compensation package in the industry and it is hard to turn away the top legacy carrier - or so I thought.
Hawaiian ambushed me in so many pleasant ways.
Guys - my interview at Hawaiian was my first time going to Hawaii and I was just blown away. It was wonderful.
Yes the weather was nice, scenery was beautiful, the food was good etc... and I felt sincere excitement of possibility of living there that I never felt about Delta bases. (NYC/Detroit/Atlanta/Minneapolis/Seattle...)
And as an Asian American I kina felt like I can easily belong there. I rather blended in nicely. Not that I feel discriminated in the mainland, but walking on the street of Honolulu just felt...so comfortable.
Perhaps these feelings are merely 'honeymoon' phase and will pass, but I have no doubt that the quality of life is going to be much more desirable at Hawaiian than Delta.
In regards to flying - I was surprised to learn that it only takes about ~7 years to be a widebody captain at Hawaiian (I am not sure if this is true, but if so - it will saves about a decade...or more compared to Delta) and the longer routes are very attractive as well.
The captain that did my CRM portion of the interview told me his typical route even on the 321. It was HNL to one of the west coast cities. 1 leg. Done. At Delta, I'd be looking at doing 3 legs in a 737 or 220 out of JFK, or worse... LaGuardia. Ugh.
Of course, there is a chance of being assigned to fly inter-island for 2 years but I am willing to do that while building seniority at my final career.
I am single and I will move to whatever base I get assigned at either company.
I lived in a pilot shack in bush Alaska during my time building years and then lived in a camper van in Long Island during my regional years - I am down to new challenges of living in Honolulu.
A year ago, it would have been unthinkable for me to turn down an offer from Delta. Even now, my head tells me 'you don't say no to Delta,' but my heart moves me to go to Hawaiian.
I wanted to run it by you guys. Am I making a good decision based on good reasons? Am I overlooking/overthinking anything? I would sincerely appreciate any advice you have for me. Thanks!
I am in a very undeserved, but fortunate situation of having job offers from Hawaiian, Delta, American, and Southwest. This is in no way a reflection of my qualifications as a pilot, but just the times we live in and the timing of things.
Words cannot express how grateful I am for being given all these opportunities in front of me, but I have been losing a lot of sleep over the past few days with the monumental task of choosing my final destination.
Without getting into too much detail, I decided to set aside American and Southwest and now left with choosing between Hawaiian and Delta.
Delta was everything that I expected. Money, glory, hats, sense of elitism and pride of being part of what is now widely considered the best airline in the world. With little doubt, I am looking at years of fine successful career and accomplished life with Delta.
With that said, I am also looking at being at the bottom of 16,000 pilot group with over 50% of the seniority list being new hires since 2014 with average age of 35 and life in one of the mainland Gotham cities.
Like most people, I look forward to being a wide body captain someday, and it's calculated to be at least 15-20 years until I can be a 'true' widebody captain at Delta. (not counting the 767 fleet with narrowbody pay scale)
But despite all that Delta has the best benefits and compensation package in the industry and it is hard to turn away the top legacy carrier - or so I thought.
Hawaiian ambushed me in so many pleasant ways.
Guys - my interview at Hawaiian was my first time going to Hawaii and I was just blown away. It was wonderful.
Yes the weather was nice, scenery was beautiful, the food was good etc... and I felt sincere excitement of possibility of living there that I never felt about Delta bases. (NYC/Detroit/Atlanta/Minneapolis/Seattle...)
And as an Asian American I kina felt like I can easily belong there. I rather blended in nicely. Not that I feel discriminated in the mainland, but walking on the street of Honolulu just felt...so comfortable.
Perhaps these feelings are merely 'honeymoon' phase and will pass, but I have no doubt that the quality of life is going to be much more desirable at Hawaiian than Delta.
In regards to flying - I was surprised to learn that it only takes about ~7 years to be a widebody captain at Hawaiian (I am not sure if this is true, but if so - it will saves about a decade...or more compared to Delta) and the longer routes are very attractive as well.
The captain that did my CRM portion of the interview told me his typical route even on the 321. It was HNL to one of the west coast cities. 1 leg. Done. At Delta, I'd be looking at doing 3 legs in a 737 or 220 out of JFK, or worse... LaGuardia. Ugh.
Of course, there is a chance of being assigned to fly inter-island for 2 years but I am willing to do that while building seniority at my final career.
I am single and I will move to whatever base I get assigned at either company.
I lived in a pilot shack in bush Alaska during my time building years and then lived in a camper van in Long Island during my regional years - I am down to new challenges of living in Honolulu.
A year ago, it would have been unthinkable for me to turn down an offer from Delta. Even now, my head tells me 'you don't say no to Delta,' but my heart moves me to go to Hawaiian.
I wanted to run it by you guys. Am I making a good decision based on good reasons? Am I overlooking/overthinking anything? I would sincerely appreciate any advice you have for me. Thanks!
06-05-2023, 06:32 AM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2019
Position: 757/767 CA
Posts: 253
Originally Posted by PurringRaccoon
Hello everyone! Apologies for starting a new thread with a personal situation, but I am looking for some advice and perhaps - some encouragement.
I am in a very undeserved, but fortunate situation of having job offers from Hawaiian, Delta, American, and Southwest. This is in no way a reflection of my qualifications as a pilot, but just the times we live in and the timing of things.
Words cannot express how grateful I am for being given all these opportunities in front of me, but I have been losing a lot of sleep over the past few days with the monumental task of choosing my final destination.
Without getting into too much detail, I decided to set aside American and Southwest and now left with choosing between Hawaiian and Delta.
Delta was everything that I expected. Money, glory, hats, sense of elitism and pride of being part of what is now widely considered the best airline in the world. With little doubt, I am looking at years of fine successful career and accomplished life with Delta.
With that said, I am also looking at being at the bottom of 16,000 pilot group with over 50% of the seniority list being new hires since 2014 with average age of 35 and life in one of the mainland Gotham cities.
Like most people, I look forward to being a wide body captain someday, and it's calculated to be at least 15-20 years until I can be a 'true' widebody captain at Delta. (not counting the 767 fleet with narrowbody pay scale)
But despite all that Delta has the best benefits and compensation package in the industry and it is hard to turn away the top legacy carrier - or so I thought.
Hawaiian ambushed me in so many pleasant ways.
Guys - my interview at Hawaiian was my first time going to Hawaii and I was just blown away. It was wonderful.
Yes the weather was nice, scenery was beautiful, the food was good etc... and I felt sincere excitement of possibility of living there that I never felt about Delta bases. (NYC/Detroit/Atlanta/Minneapolis/Seattle...)
And as an Asian American I kina felt like I can easily belong there. I rather blended in nicely. Not that I feel discriminated in the mainland, but walking on the street of Honolulu just felt...so comfortable.
Perhaps these feelings are merely 'honeymoon' phase and will pass, but I have no doubt that the quality of life is going to be much more desirable at Hawaiian than Delta.
In regards to flying - I was surprised to learn that it only takes about ~7 years to be a widebody captain at Hawaiian (I am not sure if this is true, but if so - it will saves about a decade...or more compared to Delta) and the longer routes are very attractive as well.
The captain that did my CRM portion of the interview told me his typical route even on the 321. It was HNL to one of the west coast cities. 1 leg. Done. At Delta, I'd be looking at doing 3 legs in a 737 or 220 out of JFK, or worse... LaGuardia. Ugh.
Of course, there is a chance of being assigned to fly inter-island for 2 years but I am willing to do that while building seniority at my final career.
I am single and I will move to whatever base I get assigned at either company.
I lived in a pilot shack in bush Alaska during my time building years and then lived in a camper van in Long Island during my regional years - I am down to new challenges of living in Honolulu.
A year ago, it would have been unthinkable for me to turn down an offer from Delta. Even now, my head tells me 'you don't say no to Delta,' but my heart moves me to go to Hawaiian.
I wanted to run it by you guys. Am I making a good decision based on good reasons? Am I overlooking/overthinking anything? I would sincerely appreciate any advice you have for me. Thanks!
I am in a very undeserved, but fortunate situation of having job offers from Hawaiian, Delta, American, and Southwest. This is in no way a reflection of my qualifications as a pilot, but just the times we live in and the timing of things.
Words cannot express how grateful I am for being given all these opportunities in front of me, but I have been losing a lot of sleep over the past few days with the monumental task of choosing my final destination.
Without getting into too much detail, I decided to set aside American and Southwest and now left with choosing between Hawaiian and Delta.
Delta was everything that I expected. Money, glory, hats, sense of elitism and pride of being part of what is now widely considered the best airline in the world. With little doubt, I am looking at years of fine successful career and accomplished life with Delta.
With that said, I am also looking at being at the bottom of 16,000 pilot group with over 50% of the seniority list being new hires since 2014 with average age of 35 and life in one of the mainland Gotham cities.
Like most people, I look forward to being a wide body captain someday, and it's calculated to be at least 15-20 years until I can be a 'true' widebody captain at Delta. (not counting the 767 fleet with narrowbody pay scale)
But despite all that Delta has the best benefits and compensation package in the industry and it is hard to turn away the top legacy carrier - or so I thought.
Hawaiian ambushed me in so many pleasant ways.
Guys - my interview at Hawaiian was my first time going to Hawaii and I was just blown away. It was wonderful.
Yes the weather was nice, scenery was beautiful, the food was good etc... and I felt sincere excitement of possibility of living there that I never felt about Delta bases. (NYC/Detroit/Atlanta/Minneapolis/Seattle...)
And as an Asian American I kina felt like I can easily belong there. I rather blended in nicely. Not that I feel discriminated in the mainland, but walking on the street of Honolulu just felt...so comfortable.
Perhaps these feelings are merely 'honeymoon' phase and will pass, but I have no doubt that the quality of life is going to be much more desirable at Hawaiian than Delta.
In regards to flying - I was surprised to learn that it only takes about ~7 years to be a widebody captain at Hawaiian (I am not sure if this is true, but if so - it will saves about a decade...or more compared to Delta) and the longer routes are very attractive as well.
The captain that did my CRM portion of the interview told me his typical route even on the 321. It was HNL to one of the west coast cities. 1 leg. Done. At Delta, I'd be looking at doing 3 legs in a 737 or 220 out of JFK, or worse... LaGuardia. Ugh.
Of course, there is a chance of being assigned to fly inter-island for 2 years but I am willing to do that while building seniority at my final career.
I am single and I will move to whatever base I get assigned at either company.
I lived in a pilot shack in bush Alaska during my time building years and then lived in a camper van in Long Island during my regional years - I am down to new challenges of living in Honolulu.
A year ago, it would have been unthinkable for me to turn down an offer from Delta. Even now, my head tells me 'you don't say no to Delta,' but my heart moves me to go to Hawaiian.
I wanted to run it by you guys. Am I making a good decision based on good reasons? Am I overlooking/overthinking anything? I would sincerely appreciate any advice you have for me. Thanks!
06-05-2023, 07:08 AM
#4
Line Holder
Joined APC: Sep 2016
Position: MD11 Gear Jerk
Posts: 46
Originally Posted by TiredSoul
We’re talking the difference between a rational and an emotional decision.
I can’t argue which one is the better choice for another person.
It seems you’ve already made the choice, go with it.
I can’t argue which one is the better choice for another person.
It seems you’ve already made the choice, go with it.
I agree, go with your gut, HAL seems like the best decision for you.
06-05-2023, 07:16 AM
#5
On Reserve
Joined APC: Mar 2019
Posts: 18
With everything you've expressed, I feel the decision is already made. That's a good thing. There will be those who think you are making a stupid decision going to Hawaii, or that it is emotional, but I think based off everything you said it is both the correct emotional and rational decision.
I would recommend taking HAL, loving the island life, and don't look back.
I would recommend taking HAL, loving the island life, and don't look back.
06-05-2023, 08:05 AM
#6
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2015
Position: Gear slinger
Posts: 2,897
Originally Posted by PurringRaccoon
Hello everyone! Apologies for starting a new thread with a personal situation, but I am looking for some advice and perhaps - some encouragement.
I am in a very undeserved, but fortunate situation of having job offers from Hawaiian, Delta, American, and Southwest. This is in no way a reflection of my qualifications as a pilot, but just the times we live in and the timing of things.
Words cannot express how grateful I am for being given all these opportunities in front of me, but I have been losing a lot of sleep over the past few days with the monumental task of choosing my final destination.
Without getting into too much detail, I decided to set aside American and Southwest and now left with choosing between Hawaiian and Delta.
Delta was everything that I expected. Money, glory, hats, sense of elitism and pride of being part of what is now widely considered the best airline in the world. With little doubt, I am looking at years of fine successful career and accomplished life with Delta.
With that said, I am also looking at being at the bottom of 16,000 pilot group with over 50% of the seniority list being new hires since 2014 with average age of 35 and life in one of the mainland Gotham cities.
Like most people, I look forward to being a wide body captain someday, and it's calculated to be at least 15-20 years until I can be a 'true' widebody captain at Delta. (not counting the 767 fleet with narrowbody pay scale)
But despite all that Delta has the best benefits and compensation package in the industry and it is hard to turn away the top legacy carrier - or so I thought.
Hawaiian ambushed me in so many pleasant ways.
Guys - my interview at Hawaiian was my first time going to Hawaii and I was just blown away. It was wonderful.
Yes the weather was nice, scenery was beautiful, the food was good etc... and I felt sincere excitement of possibility of living there that I never felt about Delta bases. (NYC/Detroit/Atlanta/Minneapolis/Seattle...)
And as an Asian American I kina felt like I can easily belong there. I rather blended in nicely. Not that I feel discriminated in the mainland, but walking on the street of Honolulu just felt...so comfortable.
Perhaps these feelings are merely 'honeymoon' phase and will pass, but I have no doubt that the quality of life is going to be much more desirable at Hawaiian than Delta.
In regards to flying - I was surprised to learn that it only takes about ~7 years to be a widebody captain at Hawaiian (I am not sure if this is true, but if so - it will saves about a decade...or more compared to Delta) and the longer routes are very attractive as well.
The captain that did my CRM portion of the interview told me his typical route even on the 321. It was HNL to one of the west coast cities. 1 leg. Done. At Delta, I'd be looking at doing 3 legs in a 737 or 220 out of JFK, or worse... LaGuardia. Ugh.
Of course, there is a chance of being assigned to fly inter-island for 2 years but I am willing to do that while building seniority at my final career.
I am single and I will move to whatever base I get assigned at either company.
I lived in a pilot shack in bush Alaska during my time building years and then lived in a camper van in Long Island during my regional years - I am down to new challenges of living in Honolulu.
A year ago, it would have been unthinkable for me to turn down an offer from Delta. Even now, my head tells me 'you don't say no to Delta,' but my heart moves me to go to Hawaiian.
I wanted to run it by you guys. Am I making a good decision based on good reasons? Am I overlooking/overthinking anything? I would sincerely appreciate any advice you have for me. Thanks!
I am in a very undeserved, but fortunate situation of having job offers from Hawaiian, Delta, American, and Southwest. This is in no way a reflection of my qualifications as a pilot, but just the times we live in and the timing of things.
Words cannot express how grateful I am for being given all these opportunities in front of me, but I have been losing a lot of sleep over the past few days with the monumental task of choosing my final destination.
Without getting into too much detail, I decided to set aside American and Southwest and now left with choosing between Hawaiian and Delta.
Delta was everything that I expected. Money, glory, hats, sense of elitism and pride of being part of what is now widely considered the best airline in the world. With little doubt, I am looking at years of fine successful career and accomplished life with Delta.
With that said, I am also looking at being at the bottom of 16,000 pilot group with over 50% of the seniority list being new hires since 2014 with average age of 35 and life in one of the mainland Gotham cities.
Like most people, I look forward to being a wide body captain someday, and it's calculated to be at least 15-20 years until I can be a 'true' widebody captain at Delta. (not counting the 767 fleet with narrowbody pay scale)
But despite all that Delta has the best benefits and compensation package in the industry and it is hard to turn away the top legacy carrier - or so I thought.
Hawaiian ambushed me in so many pleasant ways.
Guys - my interview at Hawaiian was my first time going to Hawaii and I was just blown away. It was wonderful.
Yes the weather was nice, scenery was beautiful, the food was good etc... and I felt sincere excitement of possibility of living there that I never felt about Delta bases. (NYC/Detroit/Atlanta/Minneapolis/Seattle...)
And as an Asian American I kina felt like I can easily belong there. I rather blended in nicely. Not that I feel discriminated in the mainland, but walking on the street of Honolulu just felt...so comfortable.
Perhaps these feelings are merely 'honeymoon' phase and will pass, but I have no doubt that the quality of life is going to be much more desirable at Hawaiian than Delta.
In regards to flying - I was surprised to learn that it only takes about ~7 years to be a widebody captain at Hawaiian (I am not sure if this is true, but if so - it will saves about a decade...or more compared to Delta) and the longer routes are very attractive as well.
The captain that did my CRM portion of the interview told me his typical route even on the 321. It was HNL to one of the west coast cities. 1 leg. Done. At Delta, I'd be looking at doing 3 legs in a 737 or 220 out of JFK, or worse... LaGuardia. Ugh.
Of course, there is a chance of being assigned to fly inter-island for 2 years but I am willing to do that while building seniority at my final career.
I am single and I will move to whatever base I get assigned at either company.
I lived in a pilot shack in bush Alaska during my time building years and then lived in a camper van in Long Island during my regional years - I am down to new challenges of living in Honolulu.
A year ago, it would have been unthinkable for me to turn down an offer from Delta. Even now, my head tells me 'you don't say no to Delta,' but my heart moves me to go to Hawaiian.
I wanted to run it by you guys. Am I making a good decision based on good reasons? Am I overlooking/overthinking anything? I would sincerely appreciate any advice you have for me. Thanks!
06-05-2023, 08:59 AM
#7
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2023
Position: None
Posts: 189
Originally Posted by Otterbox
Go to Hawaiian and try it out. If you don’t like it go to a legacy. Delta does give folks second chance interviews these days after they go somewhere else and discover it’s not for them.
You being (presumably) young, and especially single, makes this almost a no-brainer from the perspective of an old guy like me, living vicariously.
06-05-2023, 09:07 AM
#8
Layover Master
Joined APC: Jan 2013
Position: Seated
Posts: 4,310
Go to HAL.
I couldn’t convince my wife to move there.
I would, however, look at real estate, the cost of living (sales tax is exorbitant on top of already high prices), and schools. One day you’re going to be all grown up and have to worry about stuff like that (I’m not being condescending, I was that guy, and it happens fast when all your priorities shift).
I’d happily spend a career flying inter island and give east coast thunderstorms to some other schmuck.
I couldn’t convince my wife to move there.
I would, however, look at real estate, the cost of living (sales tax is exorbitant on top of already high prices), and schools. One day you’re going to be all grown up and have to worry about stuff like that (I’m not being condescending, I was that guy, and it happens fast when all your priorities shift).
I’d happily spend a career flying inter island and give east coast thunderstorms to some other schmuck.
06-05-2023, 09:45 AM
#9
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jun 2022
Position: PT-17, Rear
Posts: 36
Originally Posted by PurringRaccoon
Hello everyone! Apologies for starting a new thread with a personal situation, but I am looking for some advice and perhaps - some encouragement.
I am in a very undeserved, but fortunate situation of having job offers from Hawaiian, Delta, American, and Southwest. This is in no way a reflection of my qualifications as a pilot, but just the times we live in and the timing of things.
Words cannot express how grateful I am for being given all these opportunities in front of me, but I have been losing a lot of sleep over the past few days with the monumental task of choosing my final destination.
Without getting into too much detail, I decided to set aside American and Southwest and now left with choosing between Hawaiian and Delta.
Delta was everything that I expected. Money, glory, hats, sense of elitism and pride of being part of what is now widely considered the best airline in the world. With little doubt, I am looking at years of fine successful career and accomplished life with Delta.
With that said, I am also looking at being at the bottom of 16,000 pilot group with over 50% of the seniority list being new hires since 2014 with average age of 35 and life in one of the mainland Gotham cities.
Like most people, I look forward to being a wide body captain someday, and it's calculated to be at least 15-20 years until I can be a 'true' widebody captain at Delta. (not counting the 767 fleet with narrowbody pay scale)
But despite all that Delta has the best benefits and compensation package in the industry and it is hard to turn away the top legacy carrier - or so I thought.
Hawaiian ambushed me in so many pleasant ways.
Guys - my interview at Hawaiian was my first time going to Hawaii and I was just blown away. It was wonderful.
Yes the weather was nice, scenery was beautiful, the food was good etc... and I felt sincere excitement of possibility of living there that I never felt about Delta bases. (NYC/Detroit/Atlanta/Minneapolis/Seattle...)
And as an Asian American I kina felt like I can easily belong there. I rather blended in nicely. Not that I feel discriminated in the mainland, but walking on the street of Honolulu just felt...so comfortable.
Perhaps these feelings are merely 'honeymoon' phase and will pass, but I have no doubt that the quality of life is going to be much more desirable at Hawaiian than Delta.
In regards to flying - I was surprised to learn that it only takes about ~7 years to be a widebody captain at Hawaiian (I am not sure if this is true, but if so - it will saves about a decade...or more compared to Delta) and the longer routes are very attractive as well.
The captain that did my CRM portion of the interview told me his typical route even on the 321. It was HNL to one of the west coast cities. 1 leg. Done. At Delta, I'd be looking at doing 3 legs in a 737 or 220 out of JFK, or worse... LaGuardia. Ugh.
Of course, there is a chance of being assigned to fly inter-island for 2 years but I am willing to do that while building seniority at my final career.
I am single and I will move to whatever base I get assigned at either company.
I lived in a pilot shack in bush Alaska during my time building years and then lived in a camper van in Long Island during my regional years - I am down to new challenges of living in Honolulu.
A year ago, it would have been unthinkable for me to turn down an offer from Delta. Even now, my head tells me 'you don't say no to Delta,' but my heart moves me to go to Hawaiian.
I wanted to run it by you guys. Am I making a good decision based on good reasons? Am I overlooking/overthinking anything? I would sincerely appreciate any advice you have for me. Thanks!
I am in a very undeserved, but fortunate situation of having job offers from Hawaiian, Delta, American, and Southwest. This is in no way a reflection of my qualifications as a pilot, but just the times we live in and the timing of things.
Words cannot express how grateful I am for being given all these opportunities in front of me, but I have been losing a lot of sleep over the past few days with the monumental task of choosing my final destination.
Without getting into too much detail, I decided to set aside American and Southwest and now left with choosing between Hawaiian and Delta.
Delta was everything that I expected. Money, glory, hats, sense of elitism and pride of being part of what is now widely considered the best airline in the world. With little doubt, I am looking at years of fine successful career and accomplished life with Delta.
With that said, I am also looking at being at the bottom of 16,000 pilot group with over 50% of the seniority list being new hires since 2014 with average age of 35 and life in one of the mainland Gotham cities.
Like most people, I look forward to being a wide body captain someday, and it's calculated to be at least 15-20 years until I can be a 'true' widebody captain at Delta. (not counting the 767 fleet with narrowbody pay scale)
But despite all that Delta has the best benefits and compensation package in the industry and it is hard to turn away the top legacy carrier - or so I thought.
Hawaiian ambushed me in so many pleasant ways.
Guys - my interview at Hawaiian was my first time going to Hawaii and I was just blown away. It was wonderful.
Yes the weather was nice, scenery was beautiful, the food was good etc... and I felt sincere excitement of possibility of living there that I never felt about Delta bases. (NYC/Detroit/Atlanta/Minneapolis/Seattle...)
And as an Asian American I kina felt like I can easily belong there. I rather blended in nicely. Not that I feel discriminated in the mainland, but walking on the street of Honolulu just felt...so comfortable.
Perhaps these feelings are merely 'honeymoon' phase and will pass, but I have no doubt that the quality of life is going to be much more desirable at Hawaiian than Delta.
In regards to flying - I was surprised to learn that it only takes about ~7 years to be a widebody captain at Hawaiian (I am not sure if this is true, but if so - it will saves about a decade...or more compared to Delta) and the longer routes are very attractive as well.
The captain that did my CRM portion of the interview told me his typical route even on the 321. It was HNL to one of the west coast cities. 1 leg. Done. At Delta, I'd be looking at doing 3 legs in a 737 or 220 out of JFK, or worse... LaGuardia. Ugh.
Of course, there is a chance of being assigned to fly inter-island for 2 years but I am willing to do that while building seniority at my final career.
I am single and I will move to whatever base I get assigned at either company.
I lived in a pilot shack in bush Alaska during my time building years and then lived in a camper van in Long Island during my regional years - I am down to new challenges of living in Honolulu.
A year ago, it would have been unthinkable for me to turn down an offer from Delta. Even now, my head tells me 'you don't say no to Delta,' but my heart moves me to go to Hawaiian.
I wanted to run it by you guys. Am I making a good decision based on good reasons? Am I overlooking/overthinking anything? I would sincerely appreciate any advice you have for me. Thanks!
Compare notes with your peers at your retirement party and see who made the best decisions, til then nobody knows.
06-05-2023, 10:54 AM
#10
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2019
Posts: 791
From a business standpoint, Hawaiian is on shaky ground. Too much competition from
every direction. Easily a buyout target. The only thing Hawaiian has is a crew base in Honolulu. That shrinks and or goes away the emotional decision you made to work for them is down the drain. If you are from there it is a no brainer. If you are not…it is also a no brainer
every direction. Easily a buyout target. The only thing Hawaiian has is a crew base in Honolulu. That shrinks and or goes away the emotional decision you made to work for them is down the drain. If you are from there it is a no brainer. If you are not…it is also a no brainer
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