loyalty in corporate/vocational life? Reading this thread is like witnessing Green Dot training in a Reserve unit. You do it, but the whole time you're sitting there you question why a room full of grown men are having to have this drawn in crayola for them. Are you people new or something?¿

Do as I say and not as I do, says the big brother. It's all just propaganda-aka, controlling techniques of the herd.
Here's a couple more for all you ex-militay types: "year of the family" as the ops tempo hits an all time high due to poor planning and "service before self" while the inner circle cadre miraculously dodges non-flying deployments to the sand box.
As for the rest of the post... I like my job and I feel grateful to the man above for everything I have. I try and do my best at work because that's what we do as professional pilots. I work for a good company but I have no doubt that they'll kick me onto the side walk without blink of an eye if it benefits them financially. Loyalty does not exist anytime $ is involved; it's a dog eat dog world. As someone have said, it's a JOB-a means to an end.

Yeah sure, ALPA code of ethics is some funny Sh!+. I really like the paragraph where it tells us how we are supposed to look and act on our days off. Absolute hysterical delusional BS. I laugh my A$$ of every time I read it.

You have to fly your contract....., do your part without interfering or making the job of others harder...., disconnect from the place on your days off and not make the terrible mistake to think that your are part of a "team" because on your last day you will have to return everything, from all the manuals and insignias to everything that has to do with the brand...., and a week after you retire, Captain who?

Wake the hell up...!

Lol so true, as I said earlier, meat in the seat...

I did wake up..... to the sight of my name on my first retirement check, and for an amount pretty much what I thought it would be during my last 5 years there. Coming from a company that wasn't even among my top choices when I was first hired. Meanwhile, 3 airlines that I got "Dear John" letters from back in the 80's (I'm really giving away my age, "tbnt" now) TERMINATED their pension plans post 911. Looking back, I'm glad things turned out the way they did. Point being that you really don't know if you've made good choices (or how lucky/unlucky you may be) until you collect your first (and subsequent) retirement check(s).

Still, an excellent thread started by OP about keeping your options open. At some point lies a "career V1" where it may be better to stay at a lower choice who hired you first. Exactly when that point is (expressed in time, and/or how high you've moved up on seniority list) varies with each individual. For some, choice may be very much domicile driven. Just remember that domiciles can (and have been), downsized, or completely closed. I'm tempted to start a thread, polling for opinions as to just what "Career V1" should be (age 45 ? 50? 55?)(1 year ? 2years? with new company)( 10% ? 20%? up the seniority list.) Meanwhile, best wishes to those grappling with stay or leave decisions.

And your point is what? This is a cyclical business? Thanks..., I already got that memo.

I've been at DL for a couple of years. It's ok, but commuting is becoming intolerable. I'm thinking of applying to UA for the IAD domicile. After reading Albie's post, I'm seriously considering renewing my Airline Apps account.

And DL was my first choice! It looks a lot different on the inside than it did when I was a wannabe outsider.

This is something that has always baffled me. If I were a hiring manager I'd go out of my way to recruit pilots that live in domicile. I live in base and those of us that live in base and don't commute are light years less jaded than those that have been commutting for a while.

I have a friend that lives in ATL has gobs of experience and can't get an invite at DAL, yet they invite another buddy that lives in DEN and will commute his entire career. Everyone eventually burns out in a commute. Then comes the angst and bitterness we see from all over the industry.

If UAL called my Den buddy he'd be thrilled. He wasn't with DAL and they saw it and he got a TBNT.

This is solely my opinion but the guys that live in domicile enjoy a much greater QOL than those that don't and in turn seem happier about it.

True story. It can't be stated enough nor over sold.

However, in almost 20 years, if I moved at every upgrade/downgrade/displacement/furlough/domicile closure/shutdown, I'd have about 12 moves under my belt thus far. Do some rough math, just over an average of 1 every 1.6 years?

After number 2 or 3, I just decided it was easier (less crappy) to plop down in ONE PLACE and call it home as opposed to picking up just under every 2 years and commute.

Yep, it sucks commuting, but I've accepted it. What would suck more? Uprooting a wife/family/kids under every 2 years ALSO.

I'm still "young" enough that I COULD move, but the place I chose put down roots and stay is just that, HOME.

For the guys that get "lucky" and don't have to go through that, get the domicile they want that's also close to if not home, AWESOME FOR THEM!!!!!!!! I'd trade them in a heartbeat.

But I can't tell you how many guys I've flown with that I'd like to punch square in the balls that tell me I'm "stupid" for commuting.

They usually haven't experienced even HALF of what I've outlined here or in my other post in this thread.