I left Delta in just under a year to come to UA. As a ~30 year old the seniority progression was about equal.

 

If you're in your first year, and don't feel like DAL is the right fit, now is probably as good of a time as it'd be in a while. If UAL will provide you a better QOL the risk is worth it, if you're not too deep in at DAL. I had a person in my class that left DAL 4 years in to come to UAL. So these things happen.

Sounds stupid, but a pros/cons spreadsheet. Talk to your wife/SO.

 

This. And I’d make sure you know what your real priorities really are.

If you live in Denver or Houston, and you want to live in base, then yea, that’s probably a solid reason. But I’d place far less weight on a base that isn’t “if they close XYZ the company is going under, so it doesn’t matter”.

Pay comes and goes. Work rules come and go. Types of flying and bases come and go. Even comparison to your peers, if that kind of thing matters to you, is transient at best. As Hawthorne said, families are always rising and falling. Today’s superstar is tomorrow’s bankruptcy petitioner.

 

Meh that’s just because they’re in contract negotiations. Of course right now it’s all doom and gloom. Once it’s passed everything will be back to normal again

 

Driving to widebody captain is like being retired, with the additional benefits of getting out of the house every once in a while!

 

Except for the May 2022 hire 757/767 CAs at DL...

 

Good points in this thread but it's a bit incomplete. You might think ahead for a national socialist takeover and the merging of all airlines into one. This might seem like a far fetched concern but remember that, save for a few fringe lunatics, no one saw COVID coming either. A coup is the most common method of changing government and these happen quickly taking many by surprise. Our defense community has already warned that right wing extremism is the biggest threat to national security, and many extremist cells are poised to thrust the pendulum, which is already in motion to the right. Tucker Carlson is the most popular cable news/entertainment show and Musk's takeover of Twitter has driven it into a jingoistic frenzy citing Fentanyl importation and population replacement. Add a populace that's proven to set aside individual liberties for an illusion of safety and the stage is set. The most likely scenario is a date of hire merger however United is experiencing contract difficulties which could place it decidedly below Delta in career expectations, blurring the calculus. Also consider that international travel is likely to be severely restricted for at least five years under onerous entry and immigration requirements, and this could have a severe impact on United's core business while Delta remains insulated from such difficulties through its international code share agreements. In light of these complications I estimate that a move to Delta should prove neutral to beneficial, however a move from Delta to United exposes one to the aforementioned risks. One factor that may offset risks in favor of a move from Delta to United is being home based, as commuting may prove impossible as states quarrel. Definitely weigh ports, manufacturing, and natural resources when choosing a crew domicile.

 

Seriously, if you are currently driving to work at a Delta base, I would not jump ship for United.

 

ok cool so the plane that barely pays more than a 737.. how about 330/350? Still pushing 2 decades?

 

Except you were factually mistaken about how long it takes to be a widebody Captain. Is the 767 not a widebody? Did I miss something?

Also according to this thread junior 756CA at UA is 5 years. Or off probation depending on who you talk to.

Junior B756 CA @ 5 years?

So you’re misinformed twice over.