Originally Posted by Ripinpeace

FWIW kinda same boat here. 24 now, at UA first, tho I went to DL (I was the choose airline first, choose to live somewhere second). I was open to IAH or ATL in base living, but made the jump to ATL now.
at our age seniority progression with this retirement stuff is negligible (you’ll have WB Capt plenty of time at each), so biggest factor is base (which you have that issue but if I were you I’d move to stay at DL, you’ll see why).
I kno ppl say “10, 20, 30 yr from now” but right here right now and as far back as “is relevant” to modern operations: Delta is the industry leader in easily every factor other than network (which changes constantly/WB flying is limited by fleet & base anyways not like you’ll fly every route at each company) And I made my decision on: 1) which company should I hedge everything on for giving me the most for my time (how little can you work/how much can you make) clear winner is DL in $ and QOL assuming in base both. Just from going thru both, I’ve had 5+ UA guys during training tell me go DL if they had the choice, that their DL colleagues always made more/worked less if they desired (also no pride among TK or pilot group I noticed at UA albeit was there during contract negotiations). Not one word of that at DL saying go UA.
Big factor to, you already have good seniority at DL and are in your groove, don’t reset that for UA to go thru training again and rly RESETING you seniority for this “relative seniority gain” that can fall thru for any reason in the next couple years, it’s irrelevant in early 20’s.
You really have to hate driving/not wanna move to make this jump to UA, you’re leaving (what many ppl will obiv argue) is the premier airline of the U.S. for customers and the pilot group/PWA itself and you’re already here. Don’t reset that for #2 cuz of a small drive that u can change. UA is behind DL $/operationally for years to come, Kirby cross dresses, DEI, more planes = more debt, “UA Next” is such nonsense, I never felt any pride being there. I’ll take the heat, but this is the truth, stay at DL and enjoy the ride man.. Yes I’m a kool aid drinker at DL, but there’s a reason it taste better to so many more ppl over here.. you made it man hit the brakes and rake in your cash. More likely than not you’ll regret jumping ship, believe it or not choosing between staying at UA and starting again at DL was tough, but glad to not be going back to MLK Boulevard in nasty DEN for the rest of my life

Please consider moving my guy

Originally Posted by 89Pistons

24 y/o old now at DAL? How old were you when you got hired at United?

Originally Posted by fiftyfourtyten

Hey everybody,

I know there have been other threads on this topic, but I wanted to get some separate opinions on this situation. I'll also preface this post by saying that I am extremely grateful for the oppurtunity that I have with both companies and I'm simply trying to make the best decision between the two.

I'm currenty at Delta (hired in mid 2023). I live about 1hr 20m from EWR and anywhere between 2-3 hours from JFK/LGA (depending on traffic). Despite living in SE Pennsylvania, Delta was always my top choice airline. However, once I started working here and making the drive to NYC last fall, I realized that it might not have been the best choice for me. At my regional airline, I was making a 30 minute drive to the airport with barely any traffic and $0 in tolls. At Delta, my drive to JFK/LGA has been anywhere between 2-3 hours with signifcant traffic and about $300-400/month in tolls. I may have spoiled myself at my regional, but it definitely taught me the value of living close to base. Needless to say, driving past EWR every time I go to JFK/LGA had me thinking that my QOL could be a whole lot better at United since the drive to EWR is about half the time and half the cost in tolls with very little traffic.

Fast forward to today- I currently have a CJO with United and a class date scheduled for the first week of March. I've spent countless hours over the past 6 months trying to make a decision whether to stay at Delta or make the move over to United. I am not necessarily tied down to SE Pennsylvania (currently 23, no wife, kids, etc.) but would prefer to stay around here if possible. I've considered other base options with Delta (namely Atlanta and SLC) but it feels a little crazy to purposely move away from the NYC area with the seniority boost here.

Here are some of my other factors I've considered:

Delta
- Already employed with 6+ months of seniority (about 1k from the bottom on the list)
- Flexibility to commute in the future with better reserve rules
- Better premium pay oppurtunities
- Better profit sharing
- Better bases if I end up living somewhere besides the NE (personal opinion)

United
- Easier drive to EWR compared to JFK/LGA
- Significantly more widebody flying and better route network than Delta
- Better seniority progression (assuming growth plans materialize)
- Better technology for employees (employeeRes, Crew Companion, etc.) (Delta tech is painfully bad)
- Quicker ability to upgrade on NB for hold WBFO


Is there anything else I should be considering? I'm open to any and all advice/opinions. I have been mulling over this for months and I'm finally at the point where I have to make a firm decision in the next few days. I'm being very careful to avoid a "grass is always greener" mentality. Any help is greatly appreciated!

Originally Posted by dmeg13021

If Rip’s post resonates with you, then stay at DAL.

if it annoys the **** out of you, then go to UAL.

That is the biggest difference between the two airlines.

Originally Posted by Regularguy

I'm retired after 42 years at UAL (furlough and strike incuded) and you frankly have it completely wrong. With that choice there is really only one major thing to consider, WHERE WILL I BE THE MOST SENIOR, and WHAT WILL THAT SENIORITY BUY ME at minimum 10 years from now.

Originally Posted by Sliceback

EWR. Imagine driving by EWR, with :45 minutes to 1:30 ahead of you, for the next 41+ years. Think of it this way - when you retire from Delta you'll have driven by EWR for 42 years....but if you choose to go to Delta you'll only have avoided the drive for 41.5 years. That six month loss isn't worth it...stick to Delta and suck it up! I'm absolutetly kidding - the difference in the drive, crossing the Hudson sucks, is much greater then the 'loss' of 1,000 numbers.

Originally Posted by AbjectFutility

Exactly.

Based on that one post, I'm glad he left UAL.

Originally Posted by Ripinpeace

FWIW kinda same boat here. 24 now, at UA first, tho I went to DL (I was the choose airline first, choose to live somewhere second). I was open to IAH or ATL in base living, but made the jump to ATL now.
at our age seniority progression with this retirement stuff is negligible (you’ll have WB Capt plenty of time at each), so biggest factor is base (which you have that issue but if I were you I’d move to stay at DL, you’ll see why).
I kno ppl say “10, 20, 30 yr from now” but right here right now and as far back as “is relevant” to modern operations: Delta is the industry leader in easily every factor other than network (which changes constantly/WB flying is limited by fleet & base anyways not like you’ll fly every route at each company) And I made my decision on: 1) which company should I hedge everything on for giving me the most for my time (how little can you work/how much can you make) clear winner is DL in $ and QOL assuming in base both. Just from going thru both, I’ve had 5+ UA guys during training tell me go DL if they had the choice, that their DL colleagues always made more/worked less if they desired (also no pride among TK or pilot group I noticed at UA albeit was there during contract negotiations). Not one word of that at DL saying go UA.
Big factor to, you already have good seniority at DL and are in your groove, don’t reset that for UA to go thru training again and rly RESETING you seniority for this “relative seniority gain” that can fall thru for any reason in the next couple years, it’s irrelevant in early 20’s.
You really have to hate driving/not wanna move to make this jump to UA, you’re leaving (what many ppl will obiv argue) is the premier airline of the U.S. for customers and the pilot group/PWA itself and you’re already here. Don’t reset that for #2 cuz of a small drive that u can change. UA is behind DL $/operationally for years to come, Kirby cross dresses, DEI, more planes = more debt, “UA Next” is such nonsense, I never felt any pride being there. I’ll take the heat, but this is the truth, stay at DL and enjoy the ride man.. Yes I’m a kool aid drinker at DL, but there’s a reason it taste better to so many more ppl over here.. you made it man hit the brakes and rake in your cash. More likely than not you’ll regret jumping ship, believe it or not choosing between staying at UA and starting again at DL was tough, but glad to not be going back to MLK Boulevard in nasty DEN for the rest of my life

Please consider moving my guy

Originally Posted by AbjectFutility

Exactly.

Based on that one post, I'm glad he left UAL.