flyguy81

I live in DEN. Hired at SWA and got the UAL interview just before SWA class started. Never went to the UAL interview mostly because there's no widebodies in DEN. They're opening a 757 base in the fall but it pays the same as the 737/320. So if you are on RSV in DEN and on the widebody you better be long call or else you're in a crashpad away from home.

I got a friend who was hired at UAL a couple months after I was and he's still commuting to the west coast 1.5 yrs later with no end in sight. I've been DEN based for over a year and a line holder for nearly that. I'll take driving to work with a great QOL over commuting for a few extra $/hr.

Now if you lived near LAX, SFO, IAH, ORD, IAD, or EWR it's completely different. Had I lived near those bases I'd probably have gone to the interview and if successful I'd be at UAL now. The earning potential and flexibility with all the different fleets would be hard to pass up.

flyguy81

I've got friends at AA and some like it and some absolutely hate it. They say the work rules are terrible, management is incompetent and the only reason they stay is because of the seniority draw. They'll be stupid senior quicker at AA than at any of the other legacies.

You can be happy anywhere or miserable anywhere. It's all what you make of it.

mainlineAF

As a commuter I'd definitely lean AA. Where will you be commuting from? AA pilots can reserve the jumpseat 8 days prior on mainline flights. It is a great tool.

GatorHog

Same boat. Offers from SWA and AA. Except for me the decision was easier because of domicile. Easy drive to the SWA base vs. a few hours of driving each way for AA, along with a few other things like better scheduling and vacation rules. It would be a very difficult decision if not for that. Same domicile or commuting to both I'd be very tempted to go to AA because of the crazy seniority movement, and jump seat rules like mainline mentioned, and hope the contract improved a lot during the next round.

Ihateusernames

Do reserves at UA and AA have to cover all three NYC airports?


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Broncofan

At UA yes you do

WHACKMASTER

Same at AA.

Grumble

Your level of short sightedness is epic.

Burton78

Is it? Please elaborate..

RckyMtHigh

Guess my level of short sightedness is epic as well as I made the exact same choice. Consciously made the decision for certain near term QOL over likely better long term prospects at UAL. Can't ever get the time back with the kids while they're young.