I've been flying as a wide body FO at FedEx for a year and a half. I stopped pursuing AA, but they recently reached out, so I went to the interview and got a CJO.
I am a commuter who will never live in a Fedex hub. But I have family in Dallas and I could move there and be in domicile.
Thus far, I've really enjoyed my time at FedEx, and I have a little background flying for Envoy, so I have an idea what flying passengers is like.
Should I be a lifelong FedEx commuter or go to AA and live in domicile?
Thanks!

That's a tough call. How many years do you have left? If you have a couple decades left and are certain to move to the DFW Master Base, I'd probably make the jump. I think single pilot/no pilot ops are on the horizon, albeit many years down the road. But you can be sure that those threats, if they materialize, will impact the cargo world before they hit the pax carriers. Also working in AA's favor is Fred's retirement. So far, this new group and their consultants seem more interested in lining their pockets then running a world class operation.


As to my background, I was at AA from 2000-2003. Made the jump to FedEx in 2005 and have absolutely no regrets about my decision. I have under 10 years to go, and at FedEx I am well ahead, both financially and quality of life-wise, of where I would be if I had stuck it out with American. But if I had to make the choice today, I would probably elect to stay at AA due to the points mentioned above.


Haven't looked at AA's hiring over the last few years, but I know they have a lot of retirements coming up in the next decade. You'll probably see better career progression over there then you will at FedEx, barring any black swan type events that seem to occur regularly.


Bottom line is you won't know the right answer until you you retire. All you can do is make your best guess with the info at hand. Good luck!

Living in base near family sounds like a win win but do what’s best for you and your family. You’re in a great spot you can wait and see what’s in the TA and decide.

If you have, or some day plan to, have young kids I’d live in domicile if possible. I’m a FX commuter and compared to the DL/AA families I live and grew up near, their family QOL is better.

Just my .02, worth about that.

At the very least, wait to see what happens with the TA so you can make the most informed decision.
It may be good and you say it’s worth staying.
MEC may vote it down or pilots may vote it down.

Definitely find out avg time to capt in DFW. Because even though you’d be giving up pay cut as FO, you’d jump to capt faster. Plus you know only way DFW closes is if AA goes under… so it’s not like a small base which could be easily closed.

PM me if you need a sounding board. I was at PSA for 6 years and at FedEx for a year now.

Waiting a few months could be the difference between being furloughed or not down the line. Supposedly AA is running weekly classes with 60 new hires.

I mean at least wait to see if the MEC sends it out or not. Hopefully get that answer by end of next week (obviously who knows). But a few weeks to find that out I think would be worth it.

ask your wife and kids what dad should do.

always drive to work, if possible

Obviously you made the right call. You went to FedEx right as all the turmoil was hitting the passenger carriers, and the soon after Great Recession didn’t help. More furloughs. Glad it worked out for you. Not sure it’s the same decision today though.