United or SWA
 

I’m looking for some advice. I have been working for SWA for a few months but have a CJO from United and am trying to decide on what I should do. My wife and I live in Orlando and plan on living there long term. My number 1 factor in the decision is the fact that I do not want to commute. I have a Few questions for the group.

Do y’all think the United MCO base is gonna be around long term? Any rumored plans to grow the base? Are there talks to bring additional fleet types there? And is it gonna be a long time for me to be able to hold MCO?

thanks for any input!

Considering that Orlando hasn’t even opened yet, yes, I think it’ll be around for a bit.

When we get a new contract, the stated plan is to add Tampa as a coterminal and roughly double the size of the pilots there.

There is no official word on new types in Orlando other than the company saying “not at this time.” Rumor/dream away all you want, though. I think eventually they’ll add a widebody fleet to hit up direct flights to/from Europe, but that’s just me talking.

Your time to hold MCO Is something my crystal ball has failed to inform me of. Who knows? I don’t know when you’re starting, when there would be a vacancy, when the contract would be signed….there’s far too many variables. I think, though, that once it gets going, Orlando FO would be doable fairly quickly. Captain, however, is going to be ages.

Yes I think it’ll be around for a long time. They are hiring a chief pilot instead of making it be supervised by another chief, that’s a good sign. They are looking to grow it and include Tampa as a dual base, barring union approval. It won’t take you long to hold mco, people will be trading out of it ti an extent because they are using it to break their seat lock.

Mco is senior at swa minus the very small tail end of FOs but the swa group can clarify that. To me personally, I’d go with UA

I’m in a similar situation. Have CJO at both and won’t commute. I’m assuming both will get a new contract this year.

It seems like a decision of time or money to me. I think you’ll work harder at SWA, but get more time off (17-19/mo). You might also make more as an FO there. If you take the quick upgrade, you’ll likely come out way ahead at UA, but trading personal time in order to do so. Just comes down to priorities.

That’s at least what I’ve come up with..

Wouldn’t be surprised if we start flying WBs out of MCO if economy gets stronger.

I. Can't. Even. Imagine. How senior that would go

I think within a year, UAL and SWA will get contracts to match DL. I think the QOL and pay at SWA will probably exceed UAL unless United gets some good gains on the next UPA. Work rules and scheduling at United I would argue is highly worse than SWA. Perhaps a new TA will change that.

Since you said MCO is your main selling point, and not commuting, I would say upgrade in MCO might be just as long as upgrade at SWA.

I think in your situation, do you ever want to commuted to EWR or IAD to fly a widebody. If the answer is no, I think "love the one you're with" is the right choice.

I think United has "more options", but if you don't want any of those options, leaving MCO at SWA would be difficult.
I would assume UAL will never see a WB in MCO. U know how many years United crews have waited for a MCO base? I don't know, but I've been here 15 years and it was rumored before I was hired.

Know that for a legacy, MCO does not have "hub status", so the flights out of MCO on United will always be to a real hub. So primarily, MCO will fly to EWR, IAD, DEN, LAX, SFO, ORD.
Could it gain hub status in the future? no one knows, probably only dreaming from MCO commuters.

United has the "potential" to be better in MCO, but will it? There's always the "bird in the hand" and the "Grass is greener" arguments. Will you look back in 10-20 years and wonder "what if".

What if United gets WBs in MCO? What if United closes MCO? Those are long term questions since they are just opening it as a pilot "crew base".

Good luck with your decisions!

Unless it was to more than just a couple of cities, they’d just staff it out of another base.

When both have a base where you’re located, United is currently the better choice. Especially the younger you are.

Not going to happen. The company said there isn't even any new 737 flying out of MCO with this base opening. It is all through flying. Even if they have an occasional WB flying through, it wouldn't matter. LAX has numerous 777's coming through a day yet no 777 base.