CJO Options - Page 3 - Airline Pilot Central Forums

#21

ImSoSuss , 03-15-2023 08:21 AM

Gets Weekends Off

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brickfire

The poster has a 37 year career ahead of him. I agree there’s little or no consolidation ahead between ua/dl/aa but surely there will be change. Go back 37 (or 27 or 17) years and try to predict which job is the best choice.

Sure, if forced, you can argue one vs the other but in a base-agnostic choice between all 3, it’s REALLY hard to make compelling arguments.

Different world. Along with what the other poster said, it was also a period after deregulation which disrupted the entire industry. Am I saying we won't see mergers or airlines shutting down again? Of course not, but I doubt we will ever see it at the level we saw in the past.

#22

ImSoSuss , 03-15-2023 08:22 AM

Gets Weekends Off

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fly4FunAA

If you’re a first year 28yr old FO at SWA, with CJOS from the big 3, and if bases were not a factor, which would you choose and why?

Delta has consistently had the best contract. Go there, but that's what you were going to do any way.

#23

Fly4FunAA , 03-16-2023 12:57 AM

Gets Weekends Off

Quote:

Originally Posted by LAXtoDEN

Lol what? They literally called you to say what exactly? That is a first. I have a few AF buddies and I only know one who claimed someone in UAL Pilot Hiring sent him an email to just submit the app and don’t worry about some of the details delaying the app submission.

I found that claim fascinating because I was under the impression they could not see your application until it was submitted.

Yeah it’s unbelievable. United called me and told me to finish my app and then once it’s done we could move forward in the process. American called and asked me about some details on my app as well. They too also told me to then expect the next steps from there. I got a phone call from DEN (United) and one from PHX (American) about a week apart. Wild stuff. I’ve never heard of this happening.

#24

Fly4FunAA , 03-16-2023 01:03 AM

Gets Weekends Off

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyio

Yeah I hear ya. I got hit by all the major events of the last 20 years, 9/11, '08, 2011 BK's and COVID. Amazing that these younger pilots have the opportunities they are getting and while I wished it was me, it's oamazing that they are getting them.

To the OP, if bases didnt matter at all, which I think you should really give that some thought, I 'thing' I would go DL, UA then AA. Bases should matter though because you will want to not commute at some point (trust me on this) and the choice of base needs to fit your lifestyle and your partners lifestyle. If I were to take the bases into consideration, I would pick AA, UA, DL because I think DL has the worst bases in the system and I dont want to live in any of them.

I agree on the order of the bases…but I think I may seriously might just move to ATL for Delta. ATL works well commuting from IND/MCO. And at some point it might just make sense to buy a crash pad in ATL and then rent it out when I’m not there or just move there.

#25

Hobbit64 , 03-16-2023 05:04 AM

Gets Weekends Off

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fly4FunAA

Congrats Man!
I know this is a ‘Good Problem’ to have, but it’s stressful.
Bases vs. Widebody vs. Finances-Crystal Ball
I’m just disappointed you’re not senior to me , hahaha

#26

chrisreedrules , 03-16-2023 05:30 AM

Gets Weekends Off

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueSkies

Do yourself a favor and read some of the many "UAL/AA go to DAL?" threads. There is a lot of useful info in there about how many DAL has hired since 2014. Somewhere around 9000 and counting (and more every week, ~500 this year alone). So even if your age means you will outlast many of those other pilots and end up at 2% where will you be for the first 5, 10, 15 years?

I'm not trying to dissuade you from DAL, it's a mostly great place to work and if you like one of its bases, especially a junior base it's a no-brainer.

Just think about where you'll be on the seniority list for the bulk of your career instead of the very end and how much that affects QOL and earnings potential.

This is absolutely right. It isn’t so much about where you’ll retire, it’s about where you’ll spend the bulk of your career.

That being said, Delta’s quality of life is above both AA and UA for junior pilots. I actually think I was flying better trips and had better quality of life when I was on reserve than I do now as a line holder. And that was before our new reserve/trip construction rules.