Originally Posted by Sputnik

Work for whoever hires you.

Delta pays more, has way more variety of flying--from wide body international to narrow body domestic, even some Alaska flying. I'm 99% (and too lazy to do the research to get to 100%) certain that the Jr SEA guy is a 2015 hire.

Alaska is a great company that does some really cool flying, goes to a lot of cool places, has lots of good folks, and a solid legacy.

If you want to live in NW, want as a good a guarantee as exists in this business that you'll never have to commute [far], it'd be hard not to go hard after Alaska. Delta is making a huge push in SEA, but who knows how long it'll last. Or how senior it'll get once things equalize.

Both companies are in good places financially, both hire great people, either would make a great home. I can't tell you how much is enough for you and your family (and holy heck has the pac NW gotten expensive), but with a mil retirement I suspect you'd do just fine at Alaska. I have trouble believing that the "culture" of either is much greater, you'd probably be happy at either. Look at outside factors that are important to you and yours.

Of course, until you get hired by both you really don't have much of a problem.

Good luck.

Originally Posted by FIIGMO

The 25 is only a little more noisy than the 73. We mostly use hand signals at takeoff power anyway, cruise at 25/17 w/normal conversation on the installed intercom makes it a blast! Plus you look cool! North American made some great aircraft!

Originally Posted by F15Cricket

Amen to what brother CassinAK said! I was happy flying one jet for 22 years in my prior job, and I am happy with only flying one airplane in my retirement job. But I know other dudes like flying a lot of different aircaft. That's cool, just not for me.

And the 737 cockpit is larger and quieter than anything I have ever flown, so I am cool with a 20 year fence after we buy Delta! . Just make us the first 1600 on the integrated seniority list, make all aircraft pay the same, and I will be happy to be FTB's FO!

FIIGMO, I am REALLY disappointed in your missing-ID of that beautiful B-52!!

Originally Posted by CassinAK

Also you think Alaskan Air Lines will only operate 737's for the rest of its existence... One way or another we will fly something other than a 73.

Originally Posted by FIIGMO

The 25 is only a little more noisy than the 73. We mostly use hand signals at takeoff power anyway, cruise at 25/17 w/normal conversation on the installed intercom makes it a blast! Plus you look cool! North American made some great aircraft!

Originally Posted by F15Cricket

Objective and well said.

My schedule for Alaska has been to work for 15 days a month but only not be in my own bed for about 7 nights a month. As a military retiree, QOL was way more important to me than pay check, and living in ANC has been great for that.

Pay isn't bad, but that is okay--there is way more to life than money.

Having been stationed in the UK for 6 years, plus several TDYs to foreign lands, I have absolutely no desire to fly a big jet international. It would mean more days gone with less flying. But if you want that, for now, Alaska is not the place for you.

Originally Posted by forgot to bid

Well. I'm going to let you west coast North American B25 and T6 Texan pilots hash it out. Us east coast guys are up past our curfew.

Originally Posted by sailingfun

Mike, I would suggest you might not know how international flying works at some airlines. With DH's and other issues you normally work less then domestic schedules. I often bid a 12 day trip with DH's at both ends and a 2 day US layover in the middle where I go home. Total time worked comes out to 9 days and 6 days not in my bed.
I once said I would not fly international because of what you state as did most of my friends. Once they went over to the dark side all that went out the window. There is a reason international F/O often goes senior to domestic CA while paying less money.
The beauty of working for some airlines is you have the ability to do both. Get burned out on domestic and you can switch to international or the opposite. It's like making a complete job change. I think I would have gone crazy a long time ago in this job without that ability.
There is nothing like enjoying a rooftop dinner in Rome under a full moon drinking a toast to those poor SOB's in Jackson MS on a 10 hour layover!

Originally Posted by sailingfun

Mike, I would suggest you might not know how international flying works at some airlines. With DH's and other issues you normally work less then domestic schedules. I often bid a 12 day trip with DH's at both ends and a 2 day US layover in the middle where I go home. Total time worked comes out to 9 days and 6 days not in my bed.
I once said I would not fly international because of what you state as did most of my friends. Once they went over to the dark side all that went out the window. There is a reason international F/O often goes senior to domestic CA while paying less money.
The beauty of working for some airlines is you have the ability to do both. Get burned out on domestic and you can switch to international or the opposite. It's like making a complete job change. I think I would have gone crazy a long time ago in this job without that ability.
There is nothing like enjoying a rooftop dinner in Rome under a full moon drinking a toast to those poor SOB's in Jackson MS on a 10 hour layover!

Originally Posted by CassinAK

There's more to life than the next "Super cool" airplane to transition to. I guess I should just quit now and cry.

Also you think Alaskan Air Lines will only operate 737's for the rest of its existence... One way or another we will fly something other than a 73.