United or Delta
 

Trying to decide where to go with the Pros and Cons.
I'm 35 and my wife is from New England so we will be moving back to NY area. Bases aren't an issue I believe NY is junior both places. Classes would be about 6 weeks apart for me.
As far as career progression and where I'll retire at either company what's the differences?
What factors would weigh heaviest on your decision?
Thanks!

Thats a good problem to have, congrats.

Earnings, aircraft, contract, and career progression are all going to be fairly similar. Go with your gut.
Congrats with whatever you choose.


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Dice roll.

If you're going to be in the NY area, which would be easier for you to get to, JFK or EWR?

I would take the extra 6 weeks seniority if the rest is a wash.

Congrats btw.

Do you want to do International flying or domestic? Which has more International from JFK? Also, United has the me too pay clause so any raise Delta gets in new contract United will also get.

Which side of the Hudson do you plan on living on? You'll be crossing it for 30 yrs if you pick the wrong airline.

Tell the wife your picking UA and moving to PA, NW NJ, or west of the Hudson in NY.

JFK can be a deal breaker unless your willing to live on the island or north. EWR has easier employee lots IMO and is much easier traffic wise. That traffic around jfk can just suck the soul out of you and then missing the employee bus/airtran and waiting 30 min for the next one is just icing on the cake. The united flying out of ewr is absolutely fantastic. You want to do europe, island flying, or transcon you can hold it as a newhire.

Culture is very different. More laid back at United ... everything from dress code in training to formality on the line. There are still some merger shenanigans going on with united but it is mostly sour grapes and it has zero bearing on you as a newhire. It is useful to know the history of your airline and the different perspectives of those involved so hopefully we as a profession don't make the same mistakes going forward but the emotion has zero impact on most new guys. Great people on both sides but very different companies. I highly recommend talking to a as many as you can before you make your decision.

Management at Delta appears to be better. They bet on cheap oil with their fleet of refurbished 80's and 717's, have a better relationship with business travelers, and have a powerful network. United is still finding its feet after a bumbled merger, lots of new airplanes arriving, and more widebodies ... alliances or codeshares could screw either airline moving forward. NAI, JetBlue going to europe, or expanded alliances could hamper international growth.

Either would be a great career.