WB faster (right now) will be SFO just on a seniority basis. However, living where you want to live is usually more important to people than what they fly. What is more senior and what the flying is like changes over time.

 

That all depends on where you place your priorities. If where you live is more important, pick a base that you like, stay local, and bid WB in that base when you have the seniority of your choosing. If what you fly is more important, I'd guess SFO and then EWR would be the best options. Just remember that a career is a marathon and not a sprint. My advice would be to bid what will provide you and your family a happy life outside of work. The wide bodies aren't going anywhere, enjoy the ride and bid up when the time is right.

 

100% agree. It seems like a WB would give the best family life in the long run, as it seems the trips are longer but less frequent, correct? So, it usually means more days at home? And, As my son is almost 12 (and my wife and I are not likely to remain married), I'm also thinking long-term. When he is out on his own, I'd like to be in a position that I will enjoy and that will give me the best opportunity to travel while also allowing me to see him as much as he wants (or doesn't want).

 

Hopefully you can save your marriage, but if not, living close to your son will be the biggest factor in where you work/live. WB by far gives you the most dollars per day if you can handle the back side of the clock. Some people love it, some hate it.

Living in base has its perks, but so does the ability to commute. In my case, when factoring in the requirement for a backup flight, I have to allow around 7 hours to get to the work. It's a screaming pain in the butt, however it is well worth it. My family lives exactly where we want to spend our lives. For those who enjoy living in or near a big city, living in base is a game changer. For myself, spending my days off with my family exactly where we want to live is far more important than what I fly and well worth the commuting hassle. I hope things work out for you. This stuff doesn't have to be figured out overnight, and you can always change your plans down the line.

 

This needs an upvote. Well said. As a fellow commuter at AA, I completely agree. Commuting has its challenges, but my family and I live where we want to live and that makes it worth it.

 

Marriage would be great to save, but many factors will likely make that near impossible. I should end up with full custody, though, so the goal is to find the quickest path to maximum days home for the next 5-6 years.

After 17.5 years on active duty, I'm very comfortable making anywhere [safe] home.

 

Man, I’m not going through a custody battle, but from a purely financial standpoint, I’d go to Newark, do your probationary year and go back to MDL for a stable job on AD to finish off the 20. A pension and Tricare are a terrible thing to waste.

 

Assuming it will work out with the custody issue, that would be my take as well. It's the gift that keeps on giving...

https://www.tricare.mil/-/media/File...024_011024.pdf

 

I hear you. Reserves are on the list, but it's not the top priority right now. I won't let it go to waste, but I need to get myself in a position to give my son as much of his dad as I can for the next 6-7 years. When I do go to the Reserves (or Guard), it won't be in a flying position. I need a mindless job that doesn't require more focus and attention, as I'll be putting that towards United & my son.

 

FYI. If you are in the same boat as I am, (will have to reapply in January due to CJO expiration), you will have to meet PIC requirements. It's my understanding those requirements are back again. I am low time 4,500hrs, 3,000hrs 121, 0 PIC and so are a ton of other people. So, that means you may be waiting awhile to be added to a mixture of other experience levels to create a class. When I reapply I will no longer be interviewed without PIC time.

It's not right or wrong it's just how it is. I missed the wave is all. I have friends with less time than I and they were on top of things with their applications. They are livin' the dream now.