Agreed.

I’m just still bitter about the extra 5 years on the street before I had to decide whether or not to go back to the bankrupt company that furloughed me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I understand your point, however, ten years in a long time in the airline business and so much can change. Just at Southwest, there was a time not so long ago that Dallas was senior. It was "known" that if you wanted to be based in Dallas you'd wait a long time. Right now Dallas is really no more senior then any other base. After the AT purchase ATL FO was really really senior. New hires in the 2014-2017 range were told that the wait for ATL would be 5-6-7 years. Today it takes less than a year to hold ATL FO. It went from years to one year in couple bids.

The legacies are going to retire so many that the picture will shift even more for them. So I think you have to look at things in general.

For example, want to be based in Denver? Southwest is probably your best bet. Want to upgrade fast? That's going to happen faster elsewhere. Want to have more days off? Southwest. Want to sit reserve and not work...not Southwest.

 

Not sure why pilots are so unwilling to help others out. I understand your desire to gather all info possible and make the best decision for you and your family. Here are the numbers for the most junior CA as of July.

ATL 5/06
BWI 8/07
DAL 4/08
DEN 9/07
HOU 3/08
LAS 5/08
MCO 5/06
MDW 9/07
OAK 7/08
PHX 2/08

 

Very cool. Count yourself among the few that might actually help someone else out !!

 

Thanks DHC8DRV. Any idea of the seniority percent of any one of those? Ie 65% for MDW

Much appreciated


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

This was my point in asking exactly. What makes you say SWA is best for Denver? Why not UAL where they have their training hub and are expanding? How is SWA more stable there?

Same goes for AA and living in Dallas or Chicago.

It’s questions like these I’m trying to answer. Knowing relative seniority for both FO and CA is just one piece of the puzzle.

By having the information for all companies and understanding the situation at each base a better picture can be gained.

I’m of the mindset that picking domicile is the way to go. When 2 or more airlines are in the same place, you have to dig deeper to make the call. That was the only intent of my OP.

I’m appreciative of your responses and welcome a PM if you are willing to answer more direct pointed questions. Kinda figured for the masses a general outline would suffice and cover more people than just myself



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Maybe what some folks don't get is that a BUNCH of us spent half our ****ing lives trying to get a job at ANY airline---let alone our dream job.


So, while information/day dreaming/spitballing, whatever, is interesting......dream up better questions.

 

This conversation is applicable only if you actually receive job offers from AA. UAL. and DAL. If you only get an offer from SW, what are you going to do?Would you turn down the SW job and hope your first choice offer you a job? Personally I would grab the first job offered and if during the first few years you get an offer from your 1st choice, you can make the jump without losing much.

 

Exactly.
Apps out everywhere for YEARS.

 

I think that this generation of pilots is in the enviable position of actually getting to choose from several major airline offers. Most never had to flight instruct, fly cancelled checks, or pay to play. They’ve never been furloughed and they weren’t flying on 9/11. I’m jealous of their good fortune!

So when they ask questions like this to guys from our generation it’s easy to look at them like they’re crazy... but the reality is it is us old guys who are out of touch. It’s a whole new world.

Feel free to reach out to me with some of those pointed questions. I’ve worked for a number of different major airlines over the years and can give you an honest assessment of the good the bad and the ugly. (It’s mostly good!)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk