I was in a similar situation 1.5 years ago (AA gave me a class date while I was in Delta indoc). QoL was by far my #1 concern. I left Delta for AA because I wanted to live in Tucson and be based in PHX, and because the greater retirements looming at AA. Both factors weighed heavily in my decision, so I left Delta. Not having to wear a hat is a bonus!

One thing I learned is that when you consider communting, try to get very specific intel. For example, I thought that communting PHX to LAX would be easier than TUS-LAX. However, there are so many people trying to do it, that it offsets the greater number of flights and broader time ranges. Everyone I have talked to doing that commute hate it, but TUS-LAX was easy.

It wasn't all rosy, though. I had to spend the night in LAX once or twice a month (including the crew room twice when there were no close hotels available), and the last flight left around 7pm. In contrast, the last LAX-PHX flight was after 10pm.

I also recommend getting specific data on the seniority in the bases you want to end up at. They vary a lot, and that will make a big QoL difference. Investigate things like how easy is it to pick up, trade and/or drop trips, how much premium available in a base, how many redeyes, how many commutable trips, etc.

All that said, we don't know what bases will close, how contracts will evolve, etc. Both jobs will be great, and I won't second guess my decision. (Although it does sting a little when profit sharing time hits).

FWIW, while there are plenty of things that need attention in our contract, the pilots I fly with don't let it impact our trips. Same thing goes for the different tribes at AA. The crews have been great!

 

A buddy of mine was in the exact same position, AA class date one month out, DAL was a month and change. He decided to go with AA because of the retirements. My thought is that you're good to go either way, both are great companies.

 

Great problem to have.. but honestly most the arguments people will make don’t mean much unless you have less than 10 years till retirement..... culture, pay, contacts, bases, economy, fleet sizes, routes ( maybe not as much but to a certain degree), management, will all be different come 7-8 years from now. It’s a forever changing industry.

The way I see it, the best choice is the one you think will be around for your entire career. If you think they both will make it the distance, then go with the one that gives you the best QOL. usually that means whichever one has a base or even bases (just in case one of them closes) that you wouldn’t mind living in or commuting to. Good luck!

My ignorant/biased decision...... AA, they have a cool paint job

 

Rsv days at delta is different. Minimum is 12 days, but...

If is a 31 day month = 1 extra day
Average Line Value below 75:30 = 1 extra day
20% extra staffing in category = 1 extra day.

It can go up to 15 days in a 31day month. Usually is between 13 and 14 days off on RSV.

 

I listed advantages in my previous reply but forgot to add one point which would be my deciding factor. If one of the companies has a domicile in a place where I'd love to live, that would be my choice hands down. On average, working for any major airline is going to pay (significantly) more and you'll work less than any full time flying gig you've previously held.

If you're a commuter you are likely giving back anything from 4-8 days/month depending on your commute and tolerance for risk. If you're in base you will have the chance to make the job even more financially lucrative by being available for short notice premium trips or bidding up a category where you wouldn't mind sitting reserve from your couch.

Without a crystal ball, living in a place I like would be my #1 priority if I had calls from multiple legacy airlines.

 

I’ve commuted. It’s an additional 6-7 hrs time lost before the trip and 4 hrs after the trip for commutable trips.

Living in a junior base that has w/b flying to Europe and Asia is the best deal. But ‘junior’ and ‘Asia’ are oxymorons. So pick Europe trips as the next best option.

 

This right here! I left AAL to leave behind a commute. If I wanted to live in CLT/DFW/MIA/etc..., I would have stayed at AAL. At DAL, I'm able to live within short call range of a big/relatively junior base that has a decent amount of WB flying. This has allowed me to jump to the WB way junior (90+%) and still have an amazing QOL. I'll likely jump to captain much quicker than if I had to commute as well. Either way this means a significant increase in career earnings AND time at home. I understand for some it's too late as roots have been planted, but not commuting feels like an entirely different job.

 

At AA we throw stones at living in DFW but there are lots of nice areas to live very near to the airport (10,15,20 minutes). It’s a completely different life than living 1,2,3 hrs away by car and light years away commuting.

 

Look at the financials of the two carriers. Look at innovation or lack thereof. Seniority may move faster at AA, but it won’t mean much if the company ceases to exist. Delta has historically been conservative and it has served them well. AA has been up big, but also down big, with morale to show.

 

DL’s fleet age was 17.0 yrs last summer. AA’s was 10.8 yrs.
That gap doesn’t come for free. What will DL’s balance sheet look like when they start updating their fleet and reduce it from its industry lagging position? It’s all a trade off in choosing one path over another from a corporate management decision.