ThumbsUp

Ah, so the max F9 is about 3rd year pay (263) then. UA NB CA maxes out at 282 at the moment. Guarantee is good for reserve planning which is 73 hours, lines not so much. Unless you are dropping or intentionally bidding below guarantee when it’s possible to do so, line production averages are generally in the mid 70s on NBs and into the 80s on WBs. That’s just what PBS spits out, not picking up anything.

WaterRooster

Yah, I always base a pay rate on Min. It’s a set number and from there it can fluctuate. F9 opens up in Aug ‘22 so the rates will move a little, but overall UA pay for his situation is probably close to a wash based on starting over and based off mins. Add in how long to even hold a line as a WB FO/CA

singlepilot

Thanks for the insight folks, it is a tough call for sure but I am grateful to be in the position I am.
I’m leaning towards AA more just because DFW is closer and slightly easier commute than IAH.
Also seems like quicker progression at AA due to retirements.

El Peso

If you have offers from both UA and AA that means you’ve continued to update your apps. That speaks volumes to me. Follow your dream/goal.

Voski

Exactly this.

It’s not an accident you updated two different apps and interviewed two different places.

Excargodog

If the fed botches reining in interest rates - which is hardly unlikely - and it causes a recession, would you rather be 45% at F9 or 95% at one of the legacies? Not telling you to not take the risk, just to be aware of the risk you are taking.

Aquaticus

Where are the ulcc going to get the pilots to grow? If the economy stays alive and the legacies don't have major issues they are going to need 5-10000 pilots a year at the big 6. The regionals are the first domino to dissappear but it is a major issue going forward. There aren't enough pilots. If they do find a pilot to hire who is going to be sitting next to you in 5 yrs?

The LCCs took a few years to match the legacies contract wise and those dollars were compounding in the market while years ticked away. The great thing about a legacy is the goldilocks differences in flying. Widebody fo is attractive to some while others take the early upgrade. You can make more as a senior fo on a narrow body quicker compared to lcc where everyone is on the slow slog up the same aircrafts list. United has almost double the widebodies of American but both have a lot of debt.

APCHCLIMB

Maybe F9 gets bought out by a legacy. That’s always a possibility too.

Varks

Tough call. Anything not to commute. I think you can make more money at Frontier. Money isn’t everything but money and not commuting is. I am on pace for $310,000 this year in the 4000 range seniority top 30% in base. Pretty much fly the schedule I get. I commute and value the little time I have at home. Once the kids are gone I will get more greedy. The grass is always greener.

If you want wide body flying it sounds good but is wicked senior. If I bid 787 in 3 years I think it would be less money being junior. Not to mention losing some control of days off. Right now I get everything off and a good summer vacation. I will certainly lose that if I go to the 787. We really don’t have that many wide bodies and if you don’t like Deep South flying then you don’t want to be junior on the 787 or 777. I think CLT and PHL don’t have Deep South yet. If you are 38 years old you may never hold wide body DFW Europe.

Excargodog

And the 321 XLR may change things for both F9 and legacies…