That’s great but I’ve found that generally, one doesn’t know what one doesn’t know. I don’t say that as a criticism of you by any means. I thought the 737 was ok too. That was when I’d only flown the RJ & really didn’t know better… I’m not going to fully hate on it, but after experiencing multiple other larger and more ergonomically comfortable cockpits, there are much nicer long term options than 30+ years in a 737…. I personally would not want that to be my retirement machine but we all do what we can and settle where it’s best for us.

Also, the ability to change the type of flying you do helps a ton. It’s literally a different job & lifestyle.. If you go to a UAL (or AA, DAL, FDX, UPS) you can bang around in a narrow body doing :45 minute turns if you choose to. When that gets old, you can go do one leg a day to a far away place and chill….. Then when you don’t like that anymore, you can come back and bang around domestically again. Then go back if you want. Hate the 737, don’t fly it. LOVE the 777, camp out and enjoy it. Those that know know. Variety is key and for those that have actually experienced it at the major airline level, they know that. Also, flying internationally for the airlines (a major airline) is totally different than doing it for the military for those that say they’ve been there, done that and there’s no appeal to flying overseas. Most in the airlines love it and it’s the easiest way to make a living we have in this pilot world.

Unless you decide that you want to live in the shadows of a junior SWA hub airport, I think the answer is obvious. Don’t bite on the “culture” thing either. Most airline pilots haven’t personally experienced another airlines culture & all they know about it is from their “good buddy at xyz airline”. UAL’s culture is just fine. So is Atlas’ and so is SWA’s. Most folks enjoy the job regardless of their airline. The ones that don’t aren’t and wouldn’t be happy anywhere. I wouldn’t let the promise of a “fun” culture sway my thinking.

You've got a great “problem” either way. Congrats… Best of luck to you….

I think we are living in a very nice era from a pilot perspective. What you are saying, as you also stated, was almost impossible 5-6 years ago. I consider myself very lucky to be offered nice jobs in the US. You are right about previous 121 experience. I have friend of mine, 5 years ago He has been invited to an interview with Southwest and he was 737 captain back then. Total he had 10,000 hours and 5000 PIC on 737 but no part 121. That day he wasn’t hired. On the other hand, right now, I have 4600 hours no PIC no part 121 and I’m offered a job by Southwest. The moment we are living in is exceptional for pilots.

Btw, I don’t have any references that helped me throughout the process. I just followed the interview steps and bought online prep tools for the airlines.

Take Atlas out of the equation altogether.

1. Drive to work. Even the coolest job sucks when you have a soul crushing commute to a junior hub.

2. All else being equal (live in a shared hub like Houston, LA, or the Bay Area), choose United. There is just more upside over a long career.

When it comes down to your own personal happiness, your time off is going to be the thing that matters so that you can be with the people you love and can do things like travel and take up hobbies. Commuting steals entire days from your life that you don't get back. Being junior and flying wide bodies is great until you figure out that you are sitting reserve in a hotel that you paid for in a city that you hate for days on end because you live somewhere that you don't work.

You are getting to the point in your career and your life when your time off is your biggest asset. You can turn that time off into personal enjoyment or you can use it to make more money. Take the job that is going to give you the most time off. That begins with no commute.

I feel the same way. Not having to commute blows any thought of widebody flying out of the water. Would it be great to try the long haul stuff for a year, sure, it I wouldn’t trade being based in the town I want to live in for anything.

Go to Atlas. The legacy carriers are just big regionals now.

UPS, FedEx, then Atlas. Why anyone would wanna commute to a job to fly pax 3 legs a day is beyond me. The retirement at Atlas isn’t as good as the legacies but it’s not terrible either. It’s worth mentioning 2 years ago every legacy pilot with less than 10 years seniority was sh****ng their pants because they knew a furlough was coming. To each their own, but the legacies aren’t what they used to be. If you need more convincing nothing will make you lose your faith in humanity quicker than a walk through the terminal.

Amen to that.

That part I’ll totally agree with! Don’t you guys commercial a lot though?

So I'm not the only acmi pilot thinking at least look into Atlas. Did 10 years at the "real airlines" and have zero interest in doing the multiple leg a day, crazy passengers, rude gate agents, chasing bases, and sitting in a crash pad lifestyle ever again.

A home based ACMI with a top-tier industry standard CBA would be the best job on the planet. I reluctantly left for a Legacy. But I agree it’s worth consideration depending on one’s situation and priorities. The legacy gig is on another level, though…..