First World Problem Delta/United/SWA CJOs - Page 4

#31

Opakapaka , 11-16-2021 09:14 PM

Gets Weekends Off

I’ve got 4 weeks vacation a year at swa and drop trips on both sides. I can revamp my schedule continuously throughout the month. That’s good. I’ve been an FO for 10 years and fly a commuter type schedule. That’s bad. With UAL and DAL having huge retirements I think you need to seriously lean that way. Of course I’ve always believed you take the first class offered and let the chips fall as they may. Good luck

#32

EWRflyr , 11-17-2021 04:24 AM

Gets Weekends Off

Quote:

Originally Posted by AV81596

I have a pretty big first world problem. I have CJOs from United, Delta and SWA. I have a Dec class with United and was told to expect mid/late Dec with Delta. SWA CJO just came in, and was told I might be able to get a December class, but no guarantees. It might be Jan/Feb 2022. I'm retired military, early 50's and live in SOCAL and looking to drive to work at LAX. I care more about QOL than $$ at this point. I have friends and peers at each of the airlines, but thought I would throw it out to the collective mind of APC to hear your thoughts. Thanks, and hiring has REALLY ramped back up. If you have the quals, they really do want to hire you.

With California being the junior bases (along with Newark) and the fact that you can have your choice of aircraft if offered in INDOC, I’d go with United. Bid that just closed shows captains less than 2 years on the west coast and system wide. Plus, there are captain vacancies remaining unfilled as well as 320, 737, 756, 777 and 787 FO vacancies which will be offered to new hires. With our growth and retirements, United is a no-brainer, especially with the earliest class date in hand.

#33

RJSAviator76 , 11-26-2021 01:11 AM

Gets Weekend Reserve

Here's some math for you. In 10 years, UAL will retire roughly 6,000 pilots just due to Age 65, or roughly 45% of their pilot group. In the same timeframe, SWA will retire just under 3400 pilots due to Age 65, which is currently roughly 37% of the pilot group.

At UAL, you'll be able to upgrade at the 90-some percent system seniority because you'll have other options. You'll still be way, way junior in the company, but you'll have the opportunity to upgrade simply due to fleet diversity. At UAL, it appears that the retirements alone will make your upward movement dizzyingly fast, not to mention the expansion.

At SWA, you'll upgrade to 737 captain upon reaching 60% system seniority. You'll have to have roughly 4-5,000 people below you. By the time you reach the junior most captain position at SWA, by comparison you should be able to hold 756 captain at UAL, having been a NB captain there for years and years. Your upgrade will have to come from mostly growth and though SWA will grow, having a single fleet type and being a mature airline are seriously the two biggest impediments to your upgrade.

No telling what the future holds, but given the simple math, if I had multiple CJO's and were starting from the bottom, I'd go to UAL and not look back.