Don't forget to factor profitability, business plan and customer satisfaction into your decision.

AC

 

All of which can change on a drop of a hat.... Look at both companies histories. Neither are good in that regard long term....

 

CAL will be better positioned post mergers IMHO... I would go CAL vs DAL unless you have issues with "where" you want to live. I would always pick domicile living vs. commute if given the choice. Both would be good choices...

 

is the pay really that bad at CAL? somebody said a poor FO for 7 years. some help here please?

 

http://airlinepilotcentral.com/airli...acy/delta.html

http://airlinepilotcentral.com/airli...ntinental.html

 

CAL has never had an industry leading contract whereas DAL generally has. To compare CALs contract with our BANKRUPTCY contract is not apples to apples.

If you want to speculate on mergers:

The NWA pilot group is strong as well and I think, combined, we should make some good improvements.

It would not want to be on the bottom of the CAL list when UAL/CAL comes around. UAL is a strong group that knows how to treat scabs properly. Its going to be quite a culture shock for the weak CAL group.

I don't have much faith in the CAL group organizing themselves affectively against management or to achieve a fair integration with the UAL pilots.

Just my opinion...I could be wrong. Sorry if I offended anyone, I am sure I did...its just an opinion.

 

Treat Scabs as they earn. Problem: You insinuate all CO pilots are Scabs. What a benefit you do to real scabs, you give them cover. Scabs at CO are in the distinct minority like those still at UAL. Paint with a broadbrush and one could call UAL a bunch of scabs. Simply incorrect. CO pilots ended up with ALPA, UAL is ALPA. Does not put much credence to ALPA leadership to make a statement like yours.

 

Yea, scabs are everywhere. UAL has some too. CAL pilots are not as weak as they used to be. There are lots of pilots (thousands) from the regionals and older CAL pilots that are sick of the status quo and are ready to fight for a good contract. I say if there is a CAL/UAL merger, leave the scabs out when they merge the lists.

 

You can't go by the pay table numbers alone. CAL 737 is "blended" pay of small and large narrow. Most of the CAL 737's are large (800 & 900), which pay the same as the 757. Small 737's are being retired and replaced by 800 & 900's, so the blend will be even better. If the blend is 50% / 50% (small/narrow) use the average on the table between the small/narrow for the same year. Of course, first year pay is low. Too low, but that is being addressed in contract talks. Another thing to consider is that many new hires go to the 757/767 and some have gone to the 777 in the past. If you get the 756, you get a blend of large narrow and widebody pay. You also have pilots that have been at CAL less than three years making $145/hour (blended 737 CA pay). Of course, that was all before the age 65 change.

I won't say anything bad about Delta, its a great company. I'm just saying CAL's pay is not as simple as the chart.

Too bad you were hired at both, now you get to make the decision. Good luck.

 

A coin might be my only option, 7 days to decide