Flystraight

If you had CJOs at all three- which would you choose? I have 33 years to give to the 121 world and I’m looking to find a place to ride that out.

FRONTIER- I live in TPA so being based at home is high on my list which Frontier would provide. Also think this merger with spirit will be fantastic for the company down the line. I really think it will be one of the biggest carriers in the states down the road since the ULCC market has barely broken ground compared to Europe. Downside is first year pay is offensive compared to the others.

DELTA- It’s delta. Hard to pass up on it with lots of career left. Having non rev benefits to fly to Europe to visit my family over there is a huge factor for me as well. Once you’ve had Delta One it’s hard to go back. Atlanta isn’t a bad commute from TPA either once I’m able to hold ATL.

SOUTHWEST- The upgrade would take forever but I love their culture and the fact that they have 5 billion in cash reserves and am sure they will have big plans for the future. Would have to drive to MCO for my trips once I am senior enough to hold it.

I have a young family at home so being on reserve would be tough at first but it would be manageable. I’m trying to plan for the future. Money is important but QOL is too.


As always, it’s hard betting on the right horse so if you guys have any insight I would greatly appreciate it.

KirillTheThrill

I’d go with SWA for the 1 hour drive to MCO. Delta if you love wearing the hat during those hot summer days in ATL.

I can’t imagine having to commute to Atlanta for 33 years.

Aero1900

If you live in Tampa, go with Frontier.

Commuting sucks. Period

Sparrowhwk

Interesting dilemma, I'd be curious to see the responses if you posted in the SWA and Delta sub-forums.
Begs the question - does living in base always trump any other airline? Is there any airline worth commuting for? What if you don't have a young family?

TiredSoul

Hard to believe it’s even a question, Delta.

Flystraight

I’ll post it in SW and DL for ****s and giggles.

Flystraight

If you had CJOs at all three- which would you choose? I have 33 years to give to the 121 world and I’m looking to find a place to ride that out.

FRONTIER- I live in TPA so being based at home is high on my list which Frontier would provide. Also think this merger with spirit will be fantastic for the company down the line. I really think it will be one of the biggest carriers in the states down the road since the ULCC market has barely broken ground compared to Europe. Downside is first year pay is offensive compared to the others.

DELTA- It’s delta. Hard to pass up on it with lots of career left. Having non rev benefits to fly to Europe to visit my family over there is a huge factor for me as well. Once you’ve had Delta One it’s hard to go back. Atlanta isn’t a bad commute from TPA either once I’m able to hold ATL.

SOUTHWEST- The upgrade would take forever but I love their culture and the fact that they have 5 billion in cash reserves and am sure they will have big plans for the future. Would have to drive to MCO for my trips once I am senior enough to hold it.

I have a young family at home so being on reserve would be tough at first but it would be manageable. I’m trying to plan for the future. Money is important but QOL is too.


As always, it’s hard betting on the right horse so if you guys have any insight I would greatly appreciate it.

*I have posted this thread in all three subs for perspective.

Flystraight

If you had CJOs at all three- which would you choose? I have 33 years to give to the 121 world and I’m looking to find a place to ride that out.

FRONTIER- I live in TPA so being based at home is high on my list which Frontier would provide. Also think this merger with spirit will be fantastic for the company down the line. I really think it will be one of the biggest carriers in the states down the road since the ULCC market has barely broken ground compared to Europe. Downside is first year pay is offensive compared to the others.

DELTA- It’s delta. Hard to pass up on it with lots of career left. Having non rev benefits to fly to Europe to visit my family over there is a huge factor for me as well. Once you’ve had Delta One it’s hard to go back. Atlanta isn’t a bad commute from TPA either once I’m able to hold ATL.

SOUTHWEST- The upgrade would take forever but I love their culture and the fact that they have 5 billion in cash reserves and am sure they will have big plans for the future. Would have to drive to MCO for my trips once I am senior enough to hold it.

I have a young family at home so being on reserve would be tough at first but it would be manageable. I’m trying to plan for the future. Money is important but QOL is too.


As always, it’s hard betting on the right horse so if you guys have any insight I would greatly appreciate it.


*I have posted this thread in all three subs for perspective.

Zard

DAL then F9 then SWA. Orlando is a revolving door of senior people bidding in above you on the CA side, and our upgrade already takes the better part of a decade. You'd have options to go make more money at DAL sitting left seat or stay on the 717/220 and have a much better schedule. You'll be weekend reserve for quite a while at SWA. F9 could be a bit of a gamble since they're going through the merger/jcba/SLI, but the upside is a quicker upgrade to the left seat of the bus to fly the same schedule as a SWA guy.

Our culture is an illusion. This isn't herb's little airline that could anymore. It's a multi billion dollar company with 60000ish employees and an untold number of middle management fiefdoms. Culture doesn't pay your bills or upgrade you faster.

SWA's culture right now is everyone tiptoeing on eggshells around everyone else to try and avoid catching a write up.

nene

33yrs is a long time, so no guarantee who/what airlines will be thriving in 2055!

In the meantime, the main vote for Delta IMHO is the varied kind of flying opportunities.

You should have a chance to experience some NB domestic/near international FO job, but then you can jump to a few years of WB FO job to rest, regroup and enjoy a different pace of life as you wait for your opportunity to upgrade to NB Captain.

After being worn out on that for a 1/2 decade, you can chose to go back to WB captain to finish out or find your niche in the NB category that suits you.

Maybe in the next 30yrs SWA and Spirontier will rise up to dominate the worldwide flying scene and offer more varied flying as well, but until you can doze for dollars it's hard to really appreciate the efficiency of flying International.

Last PRO I will state for Delta (not familiar with SWA/Spirontiers LTD) is Delta's LTD program. After having two friends (otherwise perfectly healthy) now derailed by medical issues in their early 50's, I have really come to appreciate Deltas 50% of highest earnings that they pay, plus 16% into 401K for LTD until age 65. This is after a full 1.5yrs of full pay. Both pilots I know make more than enough on LTD that finances is not one of their concerns while dealing with sudden lingering medical issues.

Congrats on your choice and hopefully wherever you chose to go, you'll have a long, successful career.

BTW, I commute from Florida, as do many people. It's mostly fine, there are moments where I have to wait till the next flight, but never had to wait till the next day....yet.