BL: based on what you’ve said in your OP, I would NOT give up your seniority at AA to come to DAL. Been at DAL for over 6 yrs and live 3 hrs away from DTW. I can tell you the base and schedules have dramatically changed over the years and not for the better (NB schedule optimizer, early reports late returns coupled with a 3hr drive, Equipment changes, base downsizing, CVG closing, New management, just to name a few).

I think the previous poster said it best when he recommended move to Western MI and drive 3 hrs to ORD.

If you want more insight, PM me.

I’d say that living in base (or driving 3 hours) will probably result in an overall happier career. A lot less stress. Btw Delta has retirements too. I’m not sure ours are so great that I’d give up driving to work for that. Also, you seem genuinely unhappy at AA. That takes a toll on your daily life as well I’m sure. I’d say go and and enjoy your new job. Profit sharing won’t hurt either.

You're giving up a lot in terms of seniority to go to Delta, but you already know this. I think living in base is always no-brainer, so it'd be hard for me to not recommend Delta for that reason. However, living 3 or more hours away from DTW isn't what I would consider living in base either. Since - in my opinion - you're commuting in both scenarios (ORD with AA or DTW with DAL), you're better off staying where you're at. You're going to see better schedules a lot sooner with AA, too, with the amount of retirements AA is experiencing. If you move closer to DTW and family, that probably tips the scales in favor of Delta.

Other issue is what are your income desires? If you’re willing to not upgrade and take the smallest plane and or permanent reserve on something bigger you can punch above your seniority

Go please go and tell everybody else that senior to me to go as well.

I’d stay at any of the big 3 with that many years under your belt. That said, not commuting is the biggest QOL improvement I’ve ever had. I get your take on AA, it’s an interesting place. Culture is in the tank, but cultures change. I’ve buried my head in the sand with the company bs and I make what my counterparts make at the other legacies. The culture at AA doesn’t affect my home life, seniority does and so does commuting. Good luck!

Delta doesn’t have sick-if-needed. Sick or not sick. They will request sick verification if a reserve calls out sick after being assigned a trip too many times. WB reserves are not busy, NB reserves are.

Reserve is pretty good at DL. I bid reserve by choice. Most reserve days are long call, min 12 hr report. Vast majority of flying when called is between 20-30 hours before show. Short call is assigned only 1 day at a time, the day prior. Once you do 2 short calls for the month, they bypass you and move to other people until theyve done their 2. And yes, 3 hours is acceptable to sit at home for shortcall. First day of reserve you cant do anything before 10am. You want to fly, you can have first dibs on prior day open trils. If you pickup premium trips on days off, get paid above guarantee and they give you compensatory days off on you future reserve days. Some senior dudes are lucky and that for a whole month, its like working 16 days, get paid 160 hours. Other lucky dudes are senior enough to hardly ever see a jet.

I'm pretty junior, but when staffing is normal, I average 8 days away from home a month. Right now I've flown 2 legs in 2 months. Ebbs and flows with staffing, but it can be a pretty nice gig. I'm also a commuter.

Sorry to go Tribbiani on you, but I do believe it's a "moo" point

A couple things (and you don’t have to answer here). EDIT

1)In your early 50s, personally I would stay at AA. if you were in your 20s or early 30s I could see justifying it, but you are in your 40s or 50s, probably not. DL has hired around 5,000 pilots since 2014 plenty of those are on the young side. We only have like 4,000 mandatory retirements between now and 2030, I know AA has a lot more than that.

2) if you are 3 hrs from DTW, how close are you to PHL or ORD? [edited out bad info] Unlike AA, we do not have separate LC/SC. Everyone starts out as LC and scheduling can convert you to SC up to 7 times a month. No add pay for that.

3) what is driving this? DL seemed pretty well run pre Covid but I would say we have fumbled as bad/worse than anyone else since Covid started, our management culture here certainly is not pro pilot, and we are certainly having our issues right now. Things may not be great at AA but they certainly are not all roses here.

If you really want to make the jump put your app in, but the grass is not always greener.

just to add, DL was probably the most confrontational major airline to their pilots during Covid. There was very little “work together” attitude here from our management. Our union and company initially reached a deal, signed it then the company decided not to use it. while AA offered 55 hour stay at home lines during Covid as a win/win, our company negotiated them then balked and put out a memo to all other employees about how selfish pilots were being by not taking unpaid leaves while D was getting cares money.

Also (if I understand this right) Our CEO is on record saying he lost sleep wondering if he took enough from our pilots in BK. Food for thought.