Grass is always greener I guess :D I don't think it's wise to make future decisions based on yesterday's profit sharing though. The inability to be CLT based for several years does change things a bit though.

Why is everyone thinking that a 2.5 hour drive for this guy is not “living in base”?

Sort of.

Depends on if it includes traffic. Not sure what DAL's reserve rules are, but that might be too far to sit reserve at a home... that's a big deal, especially at upgrade time. Many folks bypass upgrade until they can hold a line to avoid reserve, to the tune of hundreds of thousands $.

The GSP-ATL drive can be tricky as one accident pretty much closes I-85, and in several areas there’s no viable bypass. Most of the people I know who do that commute fly it.

Both the GSP and CLT commutes are pretty good as commutes go, with very early flights into ATL, and a very late flight back home. 25-35 minutes wheels up to wheels down. With the GSP-ATL commute you’ve got about 10 flights per weekday on SWA and DAL. CLT-ATL is around 20 per weekday between AAL and DAL.

As mentioned, CLT is very senior with only 2 AC types to choose from. ATL is comparatively somewhat less senior with several more AC choices, destinations.

One way to ease the pain as a GSP/CLT commuter is to bid the 717. You can overnight at home once or twice per trip with relatively little seniority (I think CLT overnights 4-6 717’s per night).

As everyone else said, living in base probably trumps most other considerations. AA also has the movement and retirement numbers.

One last point of observation: When I’m on the lake or at dinner with DAL and AA buds, it’s generally the AA guys who do the majority of the work-related complaining. ;)

Based on the current bid status snapshot and retirement projections... It will take about 2 to 2.5 years to hold CLT/320 and you can be 50% in your bid status by the end of year 5. Of course that's just looking at today's snapshot and things can always change.

OP,

Just take these answers through a filter. Most AA folks on here are going to be somewhat negative. And yes, as it sits currently, it’s not as good of a company as Delta, profit sharing is far less, and upgrade times are longer. With that said, it is a good job, and we have great pilots to work with. You won’t spend a 4 day trip wallowing in negativity like APZc might lead you to believe.

CLT will take about 2 years to hold, but that could go down (that’s a drop in the bucket). In the meantime, you won’t be stuck in LAX. If you get that as your first assignment, you’ll be able to switch to LGA (likely before IOE is completed).

Seniority wise, looks like you’d be 50% up the total list in about 9 years, conservatively able to hold wide body CA for your last 15 years. Of course, that could all change with another merger, or won’t matter if they go out of business, but thought I’d show you (based on a 32 year old hired in late July).

I think GSO ATL would not be a bad commute though either, and are you pretty committed to living in that area? I know we’ve changed our minds on where to live several times. It’s easy to move with young kids. Not so much once they hit middle school.

There is no denying the retirement numbers at AA. I simply feel Doug Parker is running this place into the earth. That, compounded by a recession, could spell some serious pain.
Being so close to ATL says I would pick Delta, as they seriously have their act together operationally and financially. And for the most part, have historically had a board that insists on good leadership . AA- not so much. Many, many ineffective leaders.

Would one of you Delta guys PLEASE give us your profit share numbers so he can see how good that is? And an estimate of what a 777 pilot is pulling in profit sharing.
Thank you!

It sure isnt sitting short call at home. By that definition an AA guy based out of MIA but lives in Orlando would be considered "living in base" since its roughly a 2.5 -3 hr drive distance between the two. Its not the same thing.

We had a military guy in my NH class who left Delta after 13 months to come to AA. he lives in RDU and decided that the drive to clt eventually was worth giving up his seniority and ATL commute. It’s also better to go to the “worst” place before it gets better instead of the best that has been for last few years. Personally, I didnt even apply to Delta because I refuse to commute for this job. Best of luck to you wherever you decide! You’re wayyy ahead of the game and damn you!! haha.

Im only posting this because you asked....I’m top rate A320 Captain. I worked one 2 day premium trip and the rest of the time probably averaged 75-78 hours a month. PS gross was $36,066. Net was $22,700.

I’m sure that’s not enough to offset a leisure drive to work, versus commuting by air. I’d give almost anything to not have to commute.