Otterbox

At 47 as a new hire at AA the opportunities to be a CLT based GIV FO aren’t going to be long lived and GIV CA in CLT probably isn’t going to be a thing at all before he retires. If he wants widebody flying he’s going to have to wait years just to commute to reserve in JFK/LAX as an FO before maybe getting a shot to be widebody CA in the junior base for 1-3 years before 65.

He’s going to be commuting to do the flying he wants either way. Might as well do with with a company where he’s got more opportunities to do it and be a Captain longer.

usernamehere

Personally, I’d take UPS and not look back. But if you hate it, it’s not like you can’t make app to American again. Making a Jumpseat trip or two seems like a wise investment if you have questions. I’d imagine you’d get some good info from folks about what life is like.

Big E 757

I can’t believe no one has said it yet, the correct answer is “Delta”. I’m kidding. This is an extremely personal decision and no one on here can answer it for you. Sorry. There is a lot of great advice, but no one knows you as well as you do. I’m a commuter. I work for Delta and live outside Chicago. My first choice back in 1999-2000 was United. I had an uncle that was a Pan Am Captain that got absorbed by UA and his son, my cousin, was a Pilot there too. They were writing recommendations for me for years. My second choice was AA, third was a tie between Southwest and ATA, and a distant 5th was Delta, only because I didn’t know anything about Delta at the time. I didn’t want to commute at that point after years of commuting, working for Mesa. After I got hired, I said “ I’m home”. I loved Delta, and I planned on moving to ATL and that was that. (I was young and single and I was going to start my life in ATL). Then September 11th happened a month before I got off probation. I got furloughed for 3+ years and by the time I got recalled (Living in the Chicago area the whole time) I met my wife to be, who also lived in the area, and by the time I got recalled, I was stuck in the area. I’ve been commuting for 20 years, and I’m sick of it. I’ve been treated great by UA and AA when I ride on you guys, but I’d give anything to trade my job for one of the UA commuters that I frequently talk to that are commuting from my base (MSP) to ORD (My home, and their base). Commuting sucks. So if I were you, I wouldn’t entertain the UA job. However, the pension and flexibility of UPS schedules is something you definitely need to look into. I don’t know anything about it, but you need to understand it before you turn it down and wait 10 months for your flow. At your age, no offense, the UPS gig could be even better than driving to work as a junior A320 FO for the next 10 years, in CLT. Good luck with your decision. I’d have given my middle nut to get hired at UA 22 years ago, to be based at home, but to take that job now as a commuter and give up $100K, I wouldn’t consider that. But UPS could absolutely be a better move now, vs. waiting for the flow. I hope, whatever decision you make, that it works out for you.

Hellafo

Take UPS and never look back. Almost 300k second year and for the rest of your career will compound.

Hella.

ZeroTT

this

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Broncofan

The best answer is go to UPS. Keep an app in for AA. If and when AA calls, we’ll then that’s a future good problem to have. If you can move to Louisville and enjoy cheap cost of living. With all the money your going to make, you and your family can fly back to NC once a month if you have something that is drawing you there. This is coming from a 7 year UA guy. I love it here but if I had the option of UPS vs UA back then, hands down UPS.

busdriver12

You're way too old in the aviation world to be waiting around for nine months for a job that may or may not materialize. You've seen what has happened in Covid times, anything can happen.

If your dream is to fly passengers and enjoy working with flight attendants and live in that world, go with United and commute. You'll get seniority fast, from what it sounds like.

It that's not your dream, absolutely UPS. I just retired from FedEx at age 58 because I saved enough money and we have a pension, as does UPS. 21 years commuting, mostly in Delta first class, company paid tickets (just hit two million miles).Flew at American for a couple of years, and I felt like I was always rushing around on reserve. Everybody on the airplane would glare at me as I rushed into the cockpit, thinking the reason we were late was because of me. Dealing with passengers, flight attendants, gate agents, not for me. I really enjoyed working at a job that was mission oriented, aviation focused. Freight is an entirely different environment. I definitely recommend you do some jumpseating on UPS and get a taste of it. Widebody pay and pension for all. Don't wait around for a job that might never come.

manolo1492

Ups 👍👍

ual 👍

aa 👎👎

Rmk1991

What about UPS is more attractive? The money?

NotMrNiceGuy

Gotta be the the sexy brown uniforms!