United or somewhere else?
 

Currently have class dates at the big 3. Starting at UA soon. Curious what everyone's thoughts are these days with the new contracts, seniority progression, future hiring, growth, etc. What would you do if you were in my shoes? Mid 30's, no family, and wont be commuting.

Mid 30s you’ll be able to be a WBCA before you retire at UAL, probably not at AA or DAL. If so, not for nearly as long.

You’ll know the answer to this question the day after you retire. Anything else is conjecture.

Pick the one you can drive to work if you need tangible advice.

done.. answered.... move along

living in base trumps everything.

united, best international flying.

american, best seniority progression

delta, best run company.

it’s a wash over the course of 30 years. None of them are going away and they’ll each have at least one run as “best place to be” during that time.

An insightful and concise answer. This gives you the answer depending on your circumstances. Well done, Extenda.

I'm new to the 121 world, but is it normal to accept multiple offers and then decide before class starts which company to work for?

Yes. It doesn't hurt to accept an offer and then politely withdraw prior to the start date. I know several that accepted and even started at JB/LCC/ULCC while waiting on an interview or start date at their preferred destination. If you want brand x, but they haven't give you a class date yet, go ahead and start at brand y. I know at least 2 guys that had DAL class dates months in the future, so they started at UAL just to get a paycheck. One left during sims and the other left after OE. You've burned that bridge, but you don't really care.

I've asked guys who have left another legacy for us doing probation how exit process goes. Never heard bad story. In fact one CP immediately made sure the guy got paid out for his unused vacation.

This raises a related question. Obviously if you start class somewhere and then resign to go somewhere else, you've burned a bridge. But if you were to politely withdraw, say, a few weeks before class...would that bridge be forever burned?

Normal now yes, go back 5 years and you were excited to get one CJO. We are living in strange times when it comes to airline hiring

That sort of belt and suspenders thinking is good. But the circumstances you describe are 1) you have been hired at and quit one career job 2) you have been hired at and no longer work at a second career job without a major black mark on your record. Not to say it can't happen ... but it's really really really rare.

But if, you went from United to Delta and then suddenly had some incredibly compelling need to live in Denver ... you might have a shot as long as the hiring mill continues. When the universe flips right-side up again, probably not.

Yes!!! Accept multiple offers, get class dates and ideally line up your first class date at your preferred spot. Once you are in class cancel the rest when you feel like it. You have no idea what will happen tomorrow and you want as many lifelines as you can, as long as you can, especially while you're furlough bait in the bottom few percent. The companies will furlough you without a second thought if the $$$ makes sense. I wouldn't feel bad even if you start with brand X and walk to brand Y 1 week into class.

Depends on the company, and the hiring environment. In this current hiring spree DAL and UAL have hired back pilots who have left previously. UAL has said applicants CJOs are good for 12 months if they decide going elsewhere doesn't work out. Some LCCs, that are more insecure about their status as a career destination, you're dead to them if you give them the TBNT.

Yes in today's demand vs supply world, especially for the better candidates. Nine years ago only the top few got 3-4 offers. Many didn't even get 2 offers. Now guys that wouldn't have been hired several years ago are getting multiple offers.

As others have mentioned if "not #1" hires you first go there. If a higher choice has you scheduled for class date shortly afterwards try and push the first start date back. If you get to "not #1" and a company higher on your list hires you keep moving up your list until the difference is meaningless.

The longer you're at any airline the more value your current job has. Eg a year ago you were considering AA vs UA. Make AA #1 and UA #2. UA hires you? Go. But a year later you have 2000+ guys behind you at UA and another 2000+ ahead of you at AA. Is AA still better than UA when you'll retire hundreds or perhaps 1000+ numbers more junior? Too many variables that only you can answer.

Would you mind telling me how long, or what percentage company seniority, to hold WB FO and CA in ORD?

Currently 29 years old and I’m two years in at the legacy without an ORD base. Mulling over if I really want to commute for the rest of my life, and curious what kind of seniority it would take at UAL to get back to WB flying.

Probably 787 FO 6-9 months after indoc and about 20 years to 787 CA in ord. That could get lower as UAL takes more 787s, or re-opens the 777 base.

Oh wow, I’m surprised it’s still that good after all the hiring the last few years. Thanks for the info.

Who knows how that will change in the future. If you want to go to United, you should probably try sooner rather than later. Commuting doesn't get better with time. If you're already on a widebody and like your company now it's worth considering moving to base before resetting your seniority.

By won't be commuting, you live close to a base for all 3? I'd put a bit of thought in to where you want to live for the rest of your life if you're going to move to a base.

20 years is a long time mostly.

Nobody can guarantee that you won’t ever commute. Fleets change, economies change, upgrades change, etc.

Today’s snapshot will not be valid ten years from now.