Originally Posted by NewCareer (Post 3736422)

Wow. This is all great info. Is LGA a co-base? Didn’t even consider that I would have to drive to LGA but that’s about an hour too depending on traffic.
Also, I do recall talking to guys while jumpseating that the trips are much better on the 73 than 320.

Anyways really appreciate it. And yeah, first world problems indeed. It’s not lost on me how lucky people have it these days. When watching from the outside as 9/11 and the financial crisis hit. Those who made it through are seeing some long overdue returns right now!

Originally Posted by C11DCA (Post 3736599)

I'll just add that as we get more NEO's, the lieklyhood of them flying some of the Carribean turns increases. An extra 21 seats (comared to a Max9) for sale to take advantage of in some markets.

Originally Posted by Sliceback (Post 3736609)

Go to DL. It's a destination job. UA is a promise for sometime in the future. When that opportunity becomes reality vs hypothetical evaluation your choices again. Me? A 20 minute drive vs having to cross the Hudson EVERY SINLGE TIME I HAD TO GO TO WORK? Is being 600-800 numbers more senior worth driving to JFK vs EWR? You're going from easy to painful. I'd switch to UA. You can uber to EWR. Wife can drop you off and pick you up before and after trips while she's out running errands. We called being dropped off and picked up by your spouse 'princess parking'. Buddy taught his wife how to look at the operations data in the computer. She'd she his expected arrival time, look for his touchdown time, and drive to the airport from the house or while out shopping, gym, etc. "I can't tell you how many times she would be pulling up to the curb as I walked out the terminal door."

Originally Posted by jalco4 (Post 3738371)

I had a similar choice to make. Sounds like the drive is a factor, but all else being equal, try to jumpseat a few times and get a sense of cockpit culture and procedure culture.

From my observations, Delta crews had far less callouts and "looser" briefings. United crews had more callouts and briefed off of cards. The PM also seems to take a much more active vs. traditional role at United e.g. setting altitudes, calling "gear up."

Minor things but again, could sway an otherwise equal decision.

Originally Posted by Hedley (Post 3738421)

Personally, I think we're all the same and living where you want to is the biggest determination as to what makes one company "better" than the others. Life at a legacy, any legacy, is a good gig.

Originally Posted by Sliceback (Post 3736609)

Go to DL. It's a destination job. UA is a promise for sometime in the future. When that opportunity becomes reality vs hypothetical evaluation your choices again. Me? A 20 minute drive vs having to cross the Hudson EVERY SINLGE TIME I HAD TO GO TO WORK? Is being 600-800 numbers more senior worth driving to JFK vs EWR? You're going from easy to painful. I'd switch to UA. You can uber to EWR. Wife can drop you off and pick you up before and after trips while she's out running errands. We called being dropped off and picked up by your spouse 'princess parking'. Buddy taught his wife how to look at the operations data in the computer. She'd she his expected arrival time, look for his touchdown time, and drive to the airport from the house or while out shopping, gym, etc. "I can't tell you how many times she would be pulling up to the curb as I walked out the terminal door."

Originally Posted by NewCareer (Post 3738525)

What is the likelihood I could get a wide body initially? Are they available as a new hire?

Originally Posted by GetThe14ers (Post 3667779)

Thanks to everyone for the information. I'll be submitting an application soon and hopefully joining your ranks within the next couple months. For my own curiosity, does anyone know where on the seniority list a 29 and/or a young 30 year old would be retiring at if they were hired today? I can't find any metrics online that don't require a UA employee number. Top 500? 1,000? Sub 2,000?

Originally Posted by SeamusTheHound (Post 3739834)

It’s been a while. Did you make the leap?

good luck!

Originally Posted by GetThe14ers (Post 3740094)

I already have over 2,000 pilots behind me at Delta but commuting is still... undesirable.

Originally Posted by NewCareer (Post 3736203)

Hi all,

I have read through this thread and some others like it. I realize this is old but figured better than starting a new one.

Here is my situation:

I have a class date at Delta and an upcoming interview at United. IF, I get the CJO at United, I will have a decision to make.

I am 46. I think the "commute" is the biggest factor, but maybe it's short-sighted because by commute, I am driving either way with a caveat. I am an EASY 20 minutes from EWR (and almost never any traffic) and 1 hour with no traffic to JFK. More like 1.5-2 hourswith traffic and can really suck.

The second biggest factor I see is seniority progression. Retirements at UA seem to be more favorable as do their growth plans. Plus, I would be starting at UA approximately 3-4 months later than my DL class date. (600-800 people in front of me). Would the retirements offset the seniority I'd be giving up at UA?

While DL appears to have better reserve rules, that won't affect me as much living 20 minutes away.

I don't really care about equipment or long haul flying but am on the airbus and love it. Actually, I don't really like the idea of long haul. I don't want to be half way across the world if my kid gets in a car accident or something crazy happens at home.

If the drive didn't matter, I would go to Delta in a heartbeat, so maybe I know the answer. Do I just suck it up and take the longer drive? I can't help but wonder (as I drive by EWR every time on my way to JFK) how much I will be kicking myself in 5/10/15 years from now. Is my earnings potential that much better at DL?

And I realize this is a nice problem to have. And first thing's first - get the CJO at UA.

Thanks for any advice!

Originally Posted by fiftyfourtyten (Post 3746324)

I've been wanting to post something on APC for a while, because I'm facing a big career decision similar to yours...

Here's my situation... I'm currenty at Delta (hired in mid 2023). I live about 1hr 20m from EWR and anywhere between 2-3.5 hours from JFK/LGA (depending on traffic). Obviously, that extra hour to JFK/LGA isn't very fun ($30+ in tolls, bridges, horrendous traffic, etc.). Aside from the drive, I've also been concerned about the seniority situation at Delta. We've hired nearly 11000 out of our 16900 pilots in the past 10 years and recently announced that hiring will slow down in 2024. I'm extremely grateful to have a job at Delta, but I am well aware that I am probably on the backside of one of the biggest hiring waves in company history and that will have an impact on seniority for my entire career here.

I currently have a CJO at United with a class date in early March. I'm trying to make a decision of whether or not to make the jump from DAL to UAL while I'm still fairly junior at Delta (I have about 900 below me on the seniority list currently). I am aware that United has hired a similar ammount of pilots as Delta in the past decade, but it seems that the retirements and planned growth for United will translate to a similar (if not better) seniority situation. I also really like that United has more widebody flying and oppurtunities to upgrade quicker on the narrowbodies.

I'm not sure what to do and this decision has been weighing on me for a few months now. I'd really appreciate any advice or insight that anyone may have!

Originally Posted by fiftyfourtyten (Post 3746324)

I've been wanting to post something on APC for a while, because I'm facing a big career decision similar to yours...

Here's my situation... I'm currenty at Delta (hired in mid 2023). I live about 1hr 20m from EWR and anywhere between 2-3.5 hours from JFK/LGA (depending on traffic). Obviously, that extra hour to JFK/LGA isn't very fun ($30+ in tolls, bridges, horrendous traffic, etc.). Aside from the drive, I've also been concerned about the seniority situation at Delta. We've hired nearly 11000 out of our 16900 pilots in the past 10 years and recently announced that hiring will slow down in 2024. I'm extremely grateful to have a job at Delta, but I am well aware that I am probably on the backside of one of the biggest hiring waves in company history and that will have an impact on seniority for my entire career here.

I currently have a CJO at United with a class date in early March. I'm trying to make a decision of whether or not to make the jump from DAL to UAL while I'm still fairly junior at Delta (I have about 900 below me on the seniority list currently). I am aware that United has hired a similar ammount of pilots as Delta in the past decade, but it seems that the retirements and planned growth for United will translate to a similar (if not better) seniority situation. I also really like that United has more widebody flying and oppurtunities to upgrade quicker on the narrowbodies.

I'm not sure what to do and this decision has been weighing on me for a few months now. I'd really appreciate any advice or insight that anyone may have!

Originally Posted by fiftyfourtyten (Post 3746324)

I've been wanting to post something on APC for a while, because I'm facing a big career decision similar to yours...

Here's my situation... I'm currenty at Delta (hired in mid 2023). I live about 1hr 20m from EWR and anywhere between 2-3.5 hours from JFK/LGA (depending on traffic). Obviously, that extra hour to JFK/LGA isn't very fun ($30+ in tolls, bridges, horrendous traffic, etc.). Aside from the drive, I've also been concerned about the seniority situation at Delta. We've hired nearly 11000 out of our 16900 pilots in the past 10 years and recently announced that hiring will slow down in 2024. I'm extremely grateful to have a job at Delta, but I am well aware that I am probably on the backside of one of the biggest hiring waves in company history and that will have an impact on seniority for my entire career here.

I currently have a CJO at United with a class date in early March. I'm trying to make a decision of whether or not to make the jump from DAL to UAL while I'm still fairly junior at Delta (I have about 900 below me on the seniority list currently). I am aware that United has hired a similar ammount of pilots as Delta in the past decade, but it seems that the retirements and planned growth for United will translate to a similar (if not better) seniority situation. I also really like that United has more widebody flying and oppurtunities to upgrade quicker on the narrowbodies.

I'm not sure what to do and this decision has been weighing on me for a few months now. I'd really appreciate any advice or insight that anyone may have!

Originally Posted by fiftyfourtyten (Post 3746324)

I've been wanting to post something on APC for a while, because I'm facing a big career decision similar to yours...

Here's my situation... I'm currenty at Delta (hired in mid 2023). I live about 1hr 20m from EWR and anywhere between 2-3.5 hours from JFK/LGA (depending on traffic). Obviously, that extra hour to JFK/LGA isn't very fun ($30+ in tolls, bridges, horrendous traffic, etc.). Aside from the drive, I've also been concerned about the seniority situation at Delta. We've hired nearly 11000 out of our 16900 pilots in the past 10 years and recently announced that hiring will slow down in 2024. I'm extremely grateful to have a job at Delta, but I am well aware that I am probably on the backside of one of the biggest hiring waves in company history and that will have an impact on seniority for my entire career here.

I currently have a CJO at United with a class date in early March. I'm trying to make a decision of whether or not to make the jump from DAL to UAL while I'm still fairly junior at Delta (I have about 900 below me on the seniority list currently). I am aware that United has hired a similar ammount of pilots as Delta in the past decade, but it seems that the retirements and planned growth for United will translate to a similar (if not better) seniority situation. I also really like that United has more widebody flying and oppurtunities to upgrade quicker on the narrowbodies.

I'm not sure what to do and this decision has been weighing on me for a few months now. I'd really appreciate any advice or insight that anyone may have!

Originally Posted by UALinIAH (Post 3747044)

Have to agree with the others. Take the CJO with UAL. With only 900 below you and now only 1000 supposedly being hired at DAL this year, you'll likely have the same number of pilots below you at either airline in a year. Being within SC distance to EWR gives you many opportunities. Every fleet is there and it's a relatively jr base so your options over a career are tremendous.

Best of luck either way.

Originally Posted by PilotJ3 (Post 3747231)

By March it will have 1500 below and by December 2,000. That’s a lot of seniority to give away.

He is also within SC distance to LGA/JFK since delta doesn’t have a specific amount of time and he lives considerably close to EWR.

As things start slowing down everywhere we might be close to the next downturn.

Originally Posted by UALinIAH (Post 3747295)

He will have almost 2000 below him in December as well at UAL. We're still planning to hire approximately 2400 this year and he has a March CJO. That's why I said in a year it would be the same. 2 hrs driving time each way is a big difference. Especially for a reserve NB pilot potentially doing the drive multiple times per week. Either way he's set but I stick with my post,

Originally Posted by fiftyfourtyten (Post 3746324)

I currently have a CJO at United with a class date in early March. I'm trying to make a decision of whether or not to make the jump from DAL to UAL while I'm still fairly junior at Delta (I have about 900 below me on the seniority list currently). I am aware that United has hired a similar ammount of pilots as Delta in the past decade, but it seems that the retirements and planned growth for United will translate to a similar (if not better) seniority situation. I also really like that United has more widebody flying and oppurtunities to upgrade quicker on the narrowbodies.

I'm not sure what to do and this decision has been weighing on me for a few months now. I'd really appreciate any advice or insight that anyone may have!

Originally Posted by Otters (Post 3747344)

no we are not planning on 2400 this year. 1750 is the target. and no I didnt hear the rumor. I asked the right person. Confirmed....

Originally Posted by rockit (Post 3747779)

Here is my dilemma that I am trying to figure out.
I am 55 years old and a captain at a AA wholly owned regional and live in base in CLT.
I have a class date at Delta in 2 weeks and a class date at United in 6 weeks.
I don't have the option of moving so will be a commuter for 10 years.
I am initially prepared to commute to NYC. I have family in Queens, NY and also in Wayne, NJ which is about 20 miles from EWR.
Delta could eventually offer me ATL which is a 3.5 hr drive from my home in CLT.
Given I only have 10 years, I would like to upgrade soon.
It seems given the seniority situation at DAL, it would take 4 years to upgrade based on when I will be joining.
UAL could give me CA in NH bid or within a year, however I would lose the option of driving 3.5 hrs to ATL and also give up the supposedly DAL 'stability'.
Which is a better airline for me?

Originally Posted by Otterbox (Post 3748340)

DAL. You can sit ATL reserve from CLT.

Originally Posted by GetThe14ers (Post 3659745)

I’m a relatively new Delta pilot. I commute from Denver and I’m considering applying to United because I’m miserable commuting and don’t see myself doing it for the rest of my career, and I don’t want I leave Denver.

Can you tell me what overtime/open time pay looks like at United? Is it similar to Delta’s green slip callouts (calls go down seniority order, double pay for trip coverage)? Where would a 30 year old be on the seniority list in 5,10,15 years if they were hired in the next 6 months? How quickly can you go from a new hire drop of IAH 737 to Denver? How long does a move from narrow body to wide body typically take with a new hire seat lock? Any juicy rumors on new contract QOL improvements? Anything else you think I should consider?

Appreciate any info, thanks!

Originally Posted by Otterbox (Post 3748340)

DAL. You can sit ATL reserve from CLT.

Originally Posted by DWC CAP10 USAF (Post 3748482)

LC, yes, SC no.

Originally Posted by 170Till5 (Post 3748358)

DAL. United east coast network is trash, the commute would be miserable

Originally Posted by BlueScholar (Post 3749229)

I don't think commuting from CLT-DC would be miserable, it would likely be pretty reasonable. 6-9 daily flights to IAD, 8-13 flights a day to BWI, 9-16 flights a day to DCA with the pretty easy metro connections to BWI and IAD. CLT to ATL has 15-21 flights a day, so you're looking at about the same in my book. Commuting sucks for sure, but that looks like a pretty good situation to be in if one had to commute. 6 hour drive to DC vs 4 to ATL (although needing to drive through ATL could take 2 hour. If it takes 6+ months to get captain, and you get a year of PSC, they only have 8.5 years from there. If it got bad take WB FO and cut the number of commutes drastically.