postog

First off this isn't to start a war. It's based on a legitimate question deciding hopefully the next 25+ years of a career.

I've seen a lot of the "just go with the one that hires you first", but what if you won the lottery and have your choice (i.e. 2 conditional offers)? I'm coming from a mil background (had apps in for over 4 years with nothing and then bam!) and can read about where things have been (and in some cases still are) but I'm looking for what those who fly there are seeing for the future.

My interaction with both companies so far has been terrific and the pilots I know at each are phenomenal. I'm just trying to do all the research I can. I've compiled the bases, retirements, pay scales, etc and am just looking for things that can't be quantified.

I have a feeling with all of the hiring going on there will be more people like me with choices ahead. I'd like to keep the thread to positive comments about each airline and if anyone has other questions to pm me.

Thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to reply.

postog

And oh yeah, Go Sox!

TenYearsGone

You have done the research so you pick (you have the unbiased research results). Any one you choose will be good, for now and the next 5 years. Anything beyond that, you'll need a crystal ball.

Today's cream of the crop, might be Tomorrow's turd in the punch bowl.
Currently Delta is not number 1, but from what I hear and see we have a lot of potential and growth left.

Good Luck,

TEN

Beaver Hunter

I suppose that I would decide on where I would want to be based.
However from my humble point of view. Delta appears to want to be in the airline business and UA appears to want to be in the travel business.
Unfortunately with those two choices. Only at the end of your career will you know which one was the better choice for you.

Dicecal

DAL, without a doubt!

flybywire44

1. Choose based on where you want to live.

2. If you want to upgrade sooner choose UAL.

3. UAL's culture is a bit more confrontational with management, but more laid back in the cockpit.

4. Consider the training programs. DAL send you home with a CD and say know it all in a month for sim (so I hear). UAL puts you through a full class.

I say go with the first one that hires you and don't look back.

Crj driver

I've worked customer service and corporate in the GO at Delta (5 years) and am currently a pilot for United.. Both companies have been great to me! It's all on your personal preferences.... I just know both companies have been instrumental in the positive experience of my aviation career.. cheers!

ShyGuy

United based on retirement numbers over the next 10 years alone. Plus, they have more widebodies on order than Delta, and those are where the movement is at. Tons of training cycles created from pilots bidding to widebodies in a trickle down effect.

80ktsClamp

Both companies are in a great position if you look it at from a long perspective- DL has beyond excellent strategic planning and good fleets while UA has excellent hubs and good fleets.

Were I to be on the outside now, I'd choose DL, but that could change on a llama's fart in a few years.

Superpilot92

Apparently you haven't seen the retirement numbers at DAL of that same time frame...both have tremendous numbers