I think Delta will be hiring between 300-1100 in 2011 (probably 600-800) with its international growth and preparation for upcoming retirements. A lot of Captains may choose to retire at 63 vice 65 for various reasons. I'm glad I have the option of flying either domestic or international. A lot of guys fly international for awhile, get their fill, then return to domestic for quality of life and a better sleep schedule.

Delta pay rates will go up in the next contract beginning January 1, 2013, as the company continues to make big profits while paying down its debt.

 

I can't help but think about solar radiation when I read this thread. Although circadian rhythms are an important consideration, so is excessive solar radiation. So I wonder (and I don't believe it is known yet) whether we are simply picking our poison. I can only conclude at this point, that being a pilot is not a healthy profession.

Considering that we have to work for peanuts at some insulting regional for 5-10 years just to get a chance to buy a lottery ticket for SWA or FedEx, perhaps I should abandon this logic-based commentary, since none of us can exercise any of that characteristic anyway.

But I digress . . .

I would evaluate a job on these measures:

1. # of days off per month minus commute time (basically, time at home)
2. $
3. Benefits (Health, Retirement, Travel)
4. Kind of people working with
5. Company's ability/desire to keep it that way

 

Your AVATAR would suggest Fedex................:

 

Your avatar would suggest quitting flying altogether and becoming the in-house photographer for Maxim Magazine.

I knew this whole aviation thing was a bad career choice.

 

Several of these avatars make it nearly impossible for the eyes to cross over onto the text part of the post...

 

First let me say thank you. Good insights and things to think about.

I have two children under 3 and want to be there to see them grow up.
I am more of a night owl like red eyes but hate seeing the sunrise.
I do enjoy international it looks like SWA will be doing some of that.

I would love to work at DAL but worry I would be furloughed in a heart beat things headed south. I do realize this is true of any company but SWA and FedEx would seem to less apt to knee jerk layoffs.

I live in Los Angeles. Yes FedEx has a LAX base but I understand it is senior.
SWA has 3 pilot bases near by and with all the flying they do to LAX SWA might someday open a base there.

Any further thoughts?
P.S I would be happy and consider myself lucky to work at either
Thanks Again Boogie

 

Care to explain?

 

The answer is to this riddle is that you cannot arrive at a rational conclusion, based on the fact the cycles that may take on company or the other to the pinnacle of the industry, or into the toilet, are becoming much shorter than the length of our careers.

So this is one where you let emotion set the motion. Go with your heart.

Interestingly enough, if we ever had the courage to develop a functional NSL, we wouldn't be trying our hand at this airline version of Survivor.

 

An NSL will NEVER happen. It's hard enough to integrate 2 airlines on a seniority list- it always goes to arbitration... imagine all of them?

 

Really? I've read every ALPA magazine (why, I don't know) for the past 6 years and never read that. So by few do you mean more than 6? Can you provide a reference?