Originally Posted by Groundbound

I need some help from the group to clarify my understanding of the situation.
Live in Denver, 40 yrs old, kids at home for the next 8 years. Have a CJO with Southwest and an interview with United next week.

I’m really conflicted as to what makes sense. Obviously I don’t have a choice to make until United calls, but I’m still having the debate in my mind. What I am looking for is rational thoughts with facts, not opinions. I realize I might be in the wrong place. 🙄

It seems like with Southwest, I will have more control over my schedule, be able to pick up and drop/trade trips, work hard on my 3-4 day trips, 3-4 times per month, but overall have more days at home. I understand that reserve at Southwest usually means a you will be working, so reserve in Denver might not help me get more days at home. I’m also less worried about furlough at Southwest, although I realize they recently send out notices. I don’t believe that they will get rid of their “we’ve never furloughed” trophy that easily. Also, it will be 5-7 years to upgrade at which time my schedule will get worse.

With United it seems like I will have easier work days, but can plan on working 16+ days per month and making less money until upgrade….which will be quite a bit shorter than SWA. In addition, I will have more options when it comes to type of flying and in base opportunities(TK, bidding check airman lines, etc.). I have heard that United reserve rules suck, but if I can get reserve in Denver, I’m not too worried about that. I also think that as I get older, United flying may be more conducive to a better QOL.

I believe I will be able to hold Denver at either airline within 6 months, which should help with QOL as well. Benefits, retirement, etc, should be fairly comparable when the new contracts are finalized.

I realize both United and Southwest pilots think that their airline is the current “dumpster fire”. I don’t believe that can really be true. Pros and cons to each and different for everyone’s individual situation. What I’m trying to figure out is what makes sense for me. Most important for me right now is time at home, at least for the next 8 years. After that, I really don’t care how much I’m gone, but believe an easier schedule as I age would be prudent.

Please add in things I may have left out, or correct information I may have gotten wrong. Thanks.

Originally Posted by Nucflash

Some of the others have mentioned these, but to boil it down you have a number of options if you live in Denver:

-gain seniority on the 737 quickly.
-756 very quickly if you get tired of the 737.
-787 in a not-unreasonable period of time.
-737 captain in a year if you want it (plusses and minuses there, but at least it’s an option vice many years at SWA).
-The training center.

Reserve on some of the above options, yes, but none require a commute.

Originally Posted by glassnpowder98

There are also hundreds of instructors that live in Denver that will buy off your trips to get you more time at home or you can double dip with more flying. With seniority you can bid for the trips more likely to get bought off.

Originally Posted by CLazarus;[url=tel:3647903

3647903[/url]]Foot Stomp ^^^THIS^^^!!! Plus, if you learn to trade trips smartly you can spend more time at home for the same money you would make simply flying your awarded schedule (I used to average about 90 hours of pay a month while only actually flying maybe 50 hours).

To reiterate, UAL in DEN gives you many, many more options to pick from down the road. Even if you have no desire to work at the TK, at least you won’t have to spend a couple of extra nights away from home every time you need recurrent training. And you won’t spend the better part of a month gone for any fleet training either.

Due to so much space for expansion, DEN is going to keep growing over the next decade into UAL’s closest equivalent to ATL or DFW. Expect more international flying to be added in the coming years. If the loads look favorable, you and the fam could hop a flight to LHR in Polaris for a weekend. On WN? Not so much or so easy.

Back when UAL management thought shrinkage was a viable way to compete, WN was probably the better choice. And if we don’t get a contract the pendulum might yet swing back that way (esp if WN gets one soon). But assuming we get that fixed in the near term, UAL is a better choice in almost every way for anyone living in DEN. Good luck.

Originally Posted by golfandflows

the other question is…will United incorporate the karbon jacket into the uniform policy. Southwest does it and they look sharp. Wearing a blazer in September thru April is super lame.

Originally Posted by Hedley

If you want to come to United just accept a super lame uniform. No karbon jacket and they’re not going to allow the leather jacket either when the new uniform is issued. October - April will just be the blazer and a goofy looking hat. At least the new brass looks cartoonish as well.

Originally Posted by ZapBrannigan

That doesn’t seem like it should be a factor when deciding on a multi million dollar career. Everybody knew this job required a uniform long before they applied.

Originally Posted by Hedley

If you want to come to United just accept a super lame uniform. No karbon jacket and they’re not going to allow the leather jacket either when the new uniform is issued. October - April will just be the blazer and a goofy looking hat. At least the new brass looks cartoonish as well.