Once upon a time I had job offers from both United and UPS. I called UPS from TK and declined the class date in two weeks. 18 months later (just after probation) we were expecting our second child, had just moved and I was given a furlough letter from United. I immediately regretted my decision as I would’ve been making $200 an hour on year two UPS pay. Something to consider.

I also declined a UPS interview after securing UA and DAL cjos. I was flying pure daytime 737 trips for quite a good while when I was first got hired. At one point about 6 months in I wondered when and where UPS and FDX operated domestically because I never heard them on the radio…..until I flew my first redeye. Then I laughed and said I made the right choice. Years later, after having enough with rude FAs, a bogus furlough notice, and doing UA freight trips, I regretted it….sort of, but not really. With seniority on a UA wb, I’ll take the out and back double augment intl all day long over anything else. If I lived in a freight hub though, different story.

‘All-night hub turns will wear on a person….. Regardless as a commuter or living in base. Until one had seniority to hold day-time flying…..

Another thing to consider is that I would happily accept a domicile in SFO or EWR where we have lots of Family vs ANC or SDF where we would be on our own and having to commute which defeats the whole purpose.
I understand the risk of being furloughed is higher at the majors, but on the other hand if the major downturn was to take place all flying jobs would be at risk, including the cargo segment.

Dom

I will tell you right now, you do not want to commute up to ANC unless you live in the PNW or Alaska…. That commute is brutal…. But if you have family in SFO and EWR. It’s a no brained, I’ll go United in a heart beat. Unless you are ok with all night hub turns that come with Cargo flying unless you can get the 747 at UPS for the LH flying, but you will be looking at commuting to ANC for that fleet likely….

Thank you all very much for your comments.
Very valuable.
Dom

Tell me more, what kind of trips are these? Any night time flying or does it coincide with your rest break in the bunk?