So wait , handies in the bathroom is not a good sign of my career achievements ? Noted

 

Depends (pun intended), we talking about your house?

 

What about the fact that UAL has a history of furlough and bankruptcy. The good times never last forever. Do you UAL guys ever worry about that? Also not a lot of good business decisions happening in that direction.

 

Not really, no. Prepare? Yes. Worry? Nope.

 

Next time United goes bankrupt, will the creditors get paid in prestige? How much prestige does the furloughed pilot feel when they have to file for unemployment?

 

What does that even mean? Retired dudes lost their pensions, others spent years without a job. How do you prepare for that? Now they are doing wierd lottery's for bonus cash and making the least amount of profit in the most profitable time in airline (deregulation) history. I have a job offer from UA sitting on the table and I'm scared as hell to take it. I want to say yes. But I got kids and UA is terrible at business.

 

really? You don’t understand what I mean when I say prepare?
If you’re so worried about it then don’t take the job.

Good luck.

 

Swingline,

I’m in the same boat. Waiting to hear back from SWA. I like looking at financials. Operation margin is one I feel is a good measuring stick. United has the worst operating margin in the industry. SWA basically doubles united’s. I’d be concerned another recession is going to create furloughs again at United and maybe another bankruptcy or acquisition by a stronger carrier.

 

Yep...
SWA makes a lot of money and has low margins... For example, they don’t pay for LTD (the union does) so when you go out on LTD -SWA cuts your flight benefits and makes you go on COBRA...I.e you lose your employer sponsored healthcare. Now as a military retiree you won’t care because you have Tricare, so you’ll be unwilling to give up anything to get a company LTD.

SWA also replaced one of the cash bonuses with a drawing-for 50,0000 SWAG points...basically frequent flyer points that you can use for gift cards (but you pay taxes on the points)

SWA doesn’t pay you for parking or dry cleaning...not a big deal really, but it adds up.

The people are awesome, you’ll have fun, you’ll be tired, you’ll be rushed, you’ll be guilted into extending...you’ll be told to “fly it and grieve it later”...and it’ll be your union saying it.
You’ll pick up a sweet two day at premium then get JA’d for another day

 

I would examine a few basics without going cosmic....

1. what kind of flying do you want to do? The answer to that question will tell you what you really need to know.

2. Regarding all majors, not just UAL.... How confident are you in the upper as well as middle management team? The middle level guys/gals are an important factor, for they are the next generation of upper level managers.

3. What is the culture like? Is it a good fit for you?


I wouldn't look back too far in the past as you consider what the has-been managers did. I would be looking at the here and now, and what the road looks like ahead. Another thing: I think there is another round of consolidation ahead, maybe 7-10 years out, but even SWA may merge and/or be involved in a transaction. Fuel and labor will always be the two largest cost of an airline operation. Stable fuel prices and/or a great purchasing plan equal stability. Labor stability (contentedness of labor) will be added value to the stock price, but not necessarily measured in other places. However, if you feel happy where you are, and where you are going, that's all that really matters.