For those that have 'been there, done that', what considerations did you give for choosing the WB or NB route at United? I know I can't count on getting one or the other but I'd love to hear some insights for both. Thank you in advance for any help.

This is pretty well covered in 1000 posts, so I'd recommending using google to search posts. The native search function on the forum is useless.

Pay is the same year 1.
WB will likely only be available to newhires in EWR or SFO. If you'll commute to either one of them, avoid WB flying as you will likely be on reserve longer*.
--*There was a brief period within the last year where this was not true. Don't see that happening ever again.
You'll either not get used much on WB reserve, or have completely no control over your schedule and have rolled days off.

NB junior lines will work your tail off, typically flying for ~90 hours/month and close to or at min days off. If you learn PBS or pay for a service, you can avoid some of that grind, though.

I’ll bite. Start NB. You don’t have a seat lock and after a year you can bid out to WB. Going WB first seat locks you for 2 years leaving you no options.

NB does more up and down, you get more experience in the airline overall. This matters especially if you are prior military and have no airline experience. NB fleet growing faster than WB, more growth opportunities.

Whatever you do, appreciate opportunity to be here and show it. For all the things that are wrong, it’s a good company, good pilot group and a union that is working hard. New contract will only make things better, and, it’s coming, whether in 3 months or a year.

Appreciate both responses. I didn't mean to beat a dead horse; just hadn't seen a lot regarding "strategy" or considerations outside of bases and individual goals such as: "dream to fly 777" or "don't like long legs." Airlines are an entirely new beast to tackle. Certainly grateful and excited for the opportunity.

I would say it depends on your background and commuter status. If you have made a career doing 4-6 legs at a regional you will learn some doing NB flying at United but it’s still just doing lots of up/down flying. WB is a different animal entirely. If you are commuting…WB reserve is no bueno so get a NB line and camp out there until you are senior enough to hold either the WB FO or NB Capt line that floats your canoe.

Not really, one can bid NB capt in a year (as of right now anyway.)

This IS accurate.

At which point you are ... seat locked for two years with no options and on reserve the whole time

As long as you fly 500 hours and have prior 500 hours of qualifying time or else it’s 1000 hours at United. Not sure what reserve WB FO utilization is, but I’ve flown with a few NB FO’s that don’t have the times after a year.

what I’d do… going bigger to smaller incurs a 3 year hard seat lock. Going smaller to bigger doesn’t have a seat lock.