Originally Posted by e6bpilot (Post 3963654)

United has never really seemed to be a part of all that and it doesn't seem like part of their company ethos to be that way. Pride goeth before the fall.

Originally Posted by Teaeffpee (Post 3960165)

In my opinion base matters so much more than anything else and I have a hunch that upgrade time might come down a bit in the semi near future based on retirements finally ramping up and the way the company is behaving around expansion and potential fleet changes. SWA is a laid back environment and with a little seniority can do some pretty unique things with your schedule. Great place to work, although we have our issues like anywhere else. UAL is definitely the hot ticket right now and looks like it may be that way for a while. I had offers from both as well and chose SWA due to domicile preference and I don’t regret it one bit, despite my friends at UAL and DAL telling me I do. I wanna believe that we are starting to break out of the awkward stages of re structuring the airline and that in a year or two this place will be back to some of the strongest financials in the industry along with the lowest debt. Maybe I’m too optimistic, but maybe not. Ultimately up to you, but if you end up commuting for a long time the annoyance of that will overtake the shine of being at the big ticket place. Can’t go wrong either way. Good luck to you.

Originally Posted by Liberty (Post 3963718)

I’m not sure that I’ve ever seen a CEO of any industry with the ugly pride and arrogance of Scott Kirby. I think he’s an example of the worst kind. I haven’t seen that in the work group though so I’m not in disagreement with your post.

Originally Posted by 60av8tor (Post 3963604)

You don’t say🤔

Originally Posted by FlywithMike (Post 3963787)

Couldn’t agree with this more. I live in Orlando myself and coming up on a year at UAL commuting is rough. UAL has been great and you will really enjoy it here. Currently as others have mentioned MCO will be indefinite to hold until we grow it.. if we grow it I should say. Rumors have been circulating for a while now that once we maximize all of our current hubs, MCO will become the next hub (I place my hopes on this rumor, I wouldn’t base my career decision on this).

Living in Orlando and being close to family is my priority. So I couldn’t blame you for looking over the fence with the potential of (if you got hired). I can’t say I don’t have the same thoughts every now and again.

Great luck with your decision.

Originally Posted by e6bpilot (Post 3963654)

It's kind of funny. There are a handful of Delta posters that really form the nucleus of people who are way too attached to where they currently work on APC. If you go back in time, that was Southwest. When I got hired there, you couldn't get people to 5tfu about how smart they were and how SWA was going to rule the world. I jumpseated on Delta during the waning days of their post bankruptcy contracts, and they were miserable. 7-8 years later and those roles switched. United has never really seemed to be a part of all that and it doesn't seem like part of their company ethos to be that way.
Pride goeth before the fall. In this industry, everybody gets to eat a little humble pie. Today's Delta is tomorrow's Spirit. I try to just treat this job like the ATM that feeds my family and gets me cool vacations. I take care of the people paying the bills and the ones that make it all happen. Other than that, you won't find any bumper stickers, license plates, or t-shirts at my house that identify me as even working in the industry. My neighbors probably think I am unemployed.
It's just a job. Some of us had great timing and luck that got us to where we are at exactly the right time. Others didn't. I just need it to last for a few more years and I'll take my toys and go home.

Originally Posted by Liberty (Post 3963718)

I’m not sure that I’ve ever seen a CEO of any industry with the ugly pride and arrogance of Scott Kirby. I think he’s an example of the worst kind. I haven’t seen that in the work group though so I’m not in disagreement with your post.

Originally Posted by RJSAviator76 (Post 3963855)

Sarcasm and poke-fun detector broken? ;)

Originally Posted by Agratefulflyer (Post 3963866)

How about we get back to answering the initial question instead of pretending someone elses ceo is touching the offended. Thanks

Originally Posted by flyguy81 (Post 3963921)

FWIW this Dec vacancy bid has +6 to MCO FO and the projected award shows an April ‘25 hire being the plug.

So with pretty minimal hiring….8 mos to hold it. Time will prob change a lot with 5-600 new hires coming on line next year.

Originally Posted by CasualSax (Post 3964165)

really? that's interesting since all posts prior to this have basically said MCO wasn't adding anything?

Originally Posted by flyguy81 (Post 3963921)

FWIW this Dec vacancy bid has +6 to MCO FO and the projected award shows an April ‘25 hire being the plug.

So with pretty minimal hiring….8 mos to hold it. Time will prob change a lot with 5-600 new hires coming on line next year.

Originally Posted by CasualSax (Post 3964186)

wait are you saying WN or UA?

Originally Posted by CasualSax (Post 3964186)

wait are you saying WN or UA?

Originally Posted by flyguy81 (Post 3964254)

Quicker upgrade….they have the edge.

Originally Posted by JTwift (Post 3964312)

in MCO, maybe not. I’m not sure what the upgrade at WN is, but a new hire won’t see MCO CA for a LONG time, barring any fleet changes.

Originally Posted by JTwift (Post 3964312)

in MCO, maybe not. I’m not sure what the upgrade at WN is, but a new hire won’t see MCO CA for a LONG time, barring any fleet changes.

Originally Posted by flyguy81 (Post 3964345)

If it’s longer than 8ish years then WN has the edge there too. I’ve no idea what time to upgrade in MCO is there but upgrade overall is quicker.

Originally Posted by JTwift (Post 3964349)

of course upgrade overall is quicker. But this discussion is about MCO. Unless something changes, UA captain in MCO is going to be a long time for a new hire now.

Originally Posted by flyguy81 (Post 3964362)

You never know. 10 yrs ago it was over a decade to hold 737 DEN at UAL. 4 years ago they had street CA’s. Minute you think you got it figured out…

Originally Posted by JTwift (Post 3964369)

that’s true. And that’s why a few posts back I said that I have no clue what the plan is for MCO, and that “barring any major changes”.

I’ve heard every rumor you can think of. And I’ve also heard Kirby say that the base isnt going to expand because it’s already a saturated market.

so who even knows (other than the higher ups).

Originally Posted by e6bpilot (Post 3964466)

SWA has said the same thing. Blah blah leisure market too much capacity. Then they add 20 pilots a seat randomly a few times a year. I wouldn't be surprised if United did the same thing or added new equipment.

Originally Posted by at6d (Post 3964170)

In my opinion, and maybe obviously based on company statements and previous information published, the company is making a move towards the east.

Originally Posted by MudhammedCJ (Post 3964643)

This helps facilitate the merger with Alaska. Not much overlap these days. If only SWAPA would ease up on that pesky scope language so they can still operate Horizon separately. 😵‍💫

Originally Posted by Flyinguber (Post 3966112)

Similar situation but did not want to make a new thread since there are lots of good points in this one (albeit MCO catered). Have about 25 years left in my career. I live in California, but I’ve been commuting to the East Coast since I’ve been with Southwest. I figure by the time I get my UAL class date I will have two years of seniority at Southwest. Which is basically no seniority. Do I gamble with life getting better with redeye reserve and future hiring or a SAN base? I’m nowhere near holding LAX or OAK. I personally don’t have a passion to fly wide bodies so that’s not a decision maker for me. I really do appreciate the flexibility of Southwest schedules and it sounds hard to give up. But commuting transcontinental has been rough and I don’t know what to believe these days with SWA and the future. And the displacements. Any advice? Maybe this is my midlife crisis now that I’m 40 - haha.

Originally Posted by Socalpt6 (Post 3966425)

I’m only 3 years in and on the west coast since day one with good seniority. Once all the Denver guys get back and the hiring starts I think you’ll be in good order for either LAS LAX or OAK.

What’s confirmed is 350 new hires in Q1 of 26 and 158 in this quarter now.

TLDR: you’re closer than you think.

Originally Posted by Flyinguber (Post 3966466)

Thanks. The optimist in me feels that way. But I’m terrified they’ll announce STL/MCI as the new domicile…I think I would be hosed if that happens. Heck, I personally don’t think AUS would help either. Maybe.

Originally Posted by Flyinguber (Post 3966466)

Thanks. The optimist in me feels that way. But I’m terrified they’ll announce STL/MCI as the new domicile…I think I would be hosed if that happens. Heck, I personally don’t think AUS would help either. Maybe.

Originally Posted by flyguy81 (Post 3966513)

I don't think AUS helps guys out west much, if any. It'll help out guys in TX get DAL/HOU and there'll be movement from west coast guys displaced east to BNA, MDW, HOU, AUS, DAL. There'll be some movement out west, because there always is with a big bid....I just don't think it'll help out as much as a MCI or STL base would. There's several MCI/OMA/STL commuters in DEN/LAS/MDW who'll bid out to drive to work. That'll free up spots in those bases and create movement for displaced guys to get back to DEN/LAS. SAN would help guys in PHX, LAX, OAK get back but I think the company would be pretty stupid to open another CA base...to an airport with 1 runway. What we really need is DEN to get back to the size it was....they keep shrinking it which f'd up everything.

Originally Posted by Flyinguber (Post 3966112)

Similar situation but did not want to make a new thread since there are lots of good points in this one (albeit MCO catered). Have about 25 years left in my career. I live in California, but I’ve been commuting to the East Coast since I’ve been with Southwest. I figure by the time I get my UAL class date I will have two years of seniority at Southwest. Which is basically no seniority. Do I gamble with life getting better with redeye reserve and future hiring or a SAN base? I’m nowhere near holding LAX or OAK. I personally don’t have a passion to fly wide bodies so that’s not a decision maker for me. I really do appreciate the flexibility of Southwest schedules and it sounds hard to give up. But commuting transcontinental has been rough and I don’t know what to believe these days with SWA and the future. And the displacements. Any advice? Maybe this is my midlife crisis now that I’m 40 - haha.

Originally Posted by Flyinguber (Post 3966112)

Similar situation but did not want to make a new thread since there are lots of good points in this one (albeit MCO catered). Have about 25 years left in my career. I live in California, but I’ve been commuting to the East Coast since I’ve been with Southwest. I figure by the time I get my UAL class date I will have two years of seniority at Southwest. Which is basically no seniority. Do I gamble with life getting better with redeye reserve and future hiring or a SAN base? I’m nowhere near holding LAX or OAK. I personally don’t have a passion to fly wide bodies so that’s not a decision maker for me. I really do appreciate the flexibility of Southwest schedules and it sounds hard to give up. But commuting transcontinental has been rough and I don’t know what to believe these days with SWA and the future. And the displacements. Any advice? Maybe this is my midlife crisis now that I’m 40 - haha.

Originally Posted by JTwift (Post 3966574)

If SFO is your goal, it’s hard to beat UAL. .

Originally Posted by flensr (Post 3966540)

I had a similar situation except with 4 yrs seniority and still living in base, coming out of covid. My buddy across town coming from skywest got picked up by United right after covid and was in the left seat of an A320, still in base, a year after being hired. I stuck it out at SWA instead of jumping ship, so when he made CA in the A320 in my base I was still year 5 FO in the guppy. But... a year later as a senior FO, my wife got cancer and we survived with me flying day trips and using FMLA pulls when she needed care at home. Could I have done as well as a new CA at United sitting reserve? I dunno. I've been 6 months away from upgrade for the last 3 years but just banged out on disability. So... SWA has worked out great for me personally, while my "buddy at united" also found a situation that worked out great for him.
Luck of the draw and your personal situation makes all the difference. I "missed" a few opportunities but ended up in a situation that ended up working out quite well through some very difficult times. Make your best guess and buy in 100%, that's my suggestion.

Originally Posted by JTwift (Post 3966574)

well, if you want SFO at United, you can nearly 100% get it on day 1. Vacancy just opened yesterday with 100 FO slots and 70 CA slots (737). Also a few widebody in the vacancy.

If SFO is your goal, it’s hard to beat UAL. Awesome widebody flying and huge narrowbody seniority movement.

you never did say exactly where you live, but you implied SAN.

LAX would be obtainable quickly, too, it looks like.

Originally Posted by Flyinguber (Post 3966112)

Similar situation but did not want to make a new thread since there are lots of good points in this one (albeit MCO catered). Have about 25 years left in my career. I live in California, but I’ve been commuting to the East Coast since I’ve been with Southwest. I figure by the time I get my UAL class date I will have two years of seniority at Southwest. Which is basically no seniority. Do I gamble with life getting better with redeye reserve and future hiring or a SAN base? I’m nowhere near holding LAX or OAK. I personally don’t have a passion to fly wide bodies so that’s not a decision maker for me. I really do appreciate the flexibility of Southwest schedules and it sounds hard to give up. But commuting transcontinental has been rough and I don’t know what to believe these days with SWA and the future. And the displacements. Any advice? Maybe this is my midlife crisis now that I’m 40 - haha.

Originally Posted by Flyinguber (Post 3966700)

thank you for sharing. I appreciate it. I can’t even imagine how very hard that time was for your family and I don’t take Southwest disability and flexibility benefits for granted.

I live by LAX. Only hoping for SAN because I think that’s my best chance of getting back to LA. Another thing that lingers in my mind is how small the LAX base is for SWA.

Originally Posted by Flyinguber (Post 3966112)

Similar situation but did not want to make a new thread since there are lots of good points in this one (albeit MCO catered). Have about 25 years left in my career. I live in California, but I’ve been commuting to the East Coast since I’ve been with Southwest. I figure by the time I get my UAL class date I will have two years of seniority at Southwest. Which is basically no seniority. Do I gamble with life getting better with redeye reserve and future hiring or a SAN base? I’m nowhere near holding LAX or OAK. I personally don’t have a passion to fly wide bodies so that’s not a decision maker for me. I really do appreciate the flexibility of Southwest schedules and it sounds hard to give up. But commuting transcontinental has been rough and I don’t know what to believe these days with SWA and the future. And the displacements. Any advice? Maybe this is my midlife crisis now that I’m 40 - haha.

Originally Posted by ElliotManagment (Post 3966839)

Leave, go to United 100%. Updating my application too.

About the same seniority as you. I live in a base I can’t hold, commuting, and every month I get closer to being displaced to a worse commute. The future here is uncertain and united made like 5x our projected yearly profit in one quarter.