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-   -   Leave DL for UA? (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/united/148473-leave-dl-ua.html)

BlueScholar 07-06-2025 09:00 AM


Originally Posted by NopeNoVNAV (Post 3926152)
Reviving this thread.


Similar concept to everyone else that asked. Im at Delta and finished training in april so still very fresh on the 737. Im commuting to LAX and live in SFO and man oh man commuting is an extra stain on my mind and it's driving me nuts. The commute isn't terrible. I show up for an assignment 2 hours prior, havent had any issues. That whole process of getting to an assignment takes 4 hours at least out of my day. Getting back home has been a little more difficult depending on what time I end a trip at night.

I got the UA TBNT in june 23 and not long after that being that I came from OO the "flow agreement" got me worried that I would be pulled into the 1600 TPIC trap and id have to start over so instead i took the CJO with DAL a year later.

Waited 8 months for a DA class. I'm somehow a line holder, not sure what its going to look like when the seasonal flying slows down come fall. The flying is decent, these constant transcons are rather dull. Flights between 1.5-2hr are my sweet spot. But only half of the trips are commutable. So, that part isn't great.

There are UA folks who live in DA bases and DA folks who live in UA bases and criss cross on the commute. That's rather odd imo. I don't have the desire to fly widebody but I'd like having the ability to hop onto one for fun travel.

I have no interest moving to any DAL base with the exception of SEA maybe, but I do like having sunlight or going to DEN would be something else I'd do for UA or stay in SFO.

Given the climate right now is it even worth reapplying with UA prepping for an interview, waiting for a class and going through the school house again for YR 1 pay.

What do you have to lose? You already said you’re wasting 4 hours commuting per assignment, are you really concerned about wasting 4 more hours updating your app and resume and maybe another hour or two brushing up on your interview stories? If you aren’t willing to move to LA and we’re all damn sure Delta isn’t going to open a SFO hub, then yes put in an app. Last I heard the plan is 2000+ new hires next year. It might change, but again, you have hours of commuting and 15+ days off to slap together an application. So why not test the waters again?

SoFloFlyer 07-06-2025 06:02 PM


Originally Posted by NopeNoVNAV (Post 3926152)
Reviving this thread.


Similar concept to everyone else that asked. Im at Delta and finished training in april so still very fresh on the 737. Im commuting to LAX and live in SFO and man oh man commuting is an extra stain on my mind and it's driving me nuts. The commute isn't terrible. I show up for an assignment 2 hours prior, havent had any issues. That whole process of getting to an assignment takes 4 hours at least out of my day. Getting back home has been a little more difficult depending on what time I end a trip at night.

I got the UA TBNT in june 23 and not long after that being that I came from OO the "flow agreement" got me worried that I would be pulled into the 1600 TPIC trap and id have to start over so instead i took the CJO with DAL a year later.

Waited 8 months for a DA class. I'm somehow a line holder, not sure what its going to look like when the seasonal flying slows down come fall. The flying is decent, these constant transcons are rather dull. Flights between 1.5-2hr are my sweet spot. But only half of the trips are commutable. So, that part isn't great.

There are UA folks who live in DA bases and DA folks who live in UA bases and criss cross on the commute. That's rather odd imo. I don't have the desire to fly widebody but I'd like having the ability to hop onto one for fun travel.

I have no interest moving to any DAL base with the exception of SEA maybe, but I do like having sunlight or going to DEN would be something else I'd do for UA or stay in SFO.

Given the climate right now is it even worth reapplying with UA prepping for an interview, waiting for a class and going through the school house again for YR 1 pay.

I believe it’s 200 coming on at the end of this year. 2300ish next year from what I was told.If you want to come onboard to not commute, it’s 100% worth it. You’d probably gain back your current QOL in relatively short order.

Turbosina 07-07-2025 05:03 AM

If you don't like "constant transcons," you are really gonna hate the SFO/73 bid packages at UAL...not to mention the SFO 756 bid packages...

Signed,
An SFO 737 UAL guy...

Ripinpeace 07-07-2025 11:25 AM


Originally Posted by NopeNoVNAV (Post 3926152)
Reviving this thread.


Similar concept to everyone else that asked. Im at Delta and finished training in april so still very fresh on the 737. Im commuting to LAX and live in SFO and man oh man commuting is an extra stain on my mind and it's driving me nuts. The commute isn't terrible. I show up for an assignment 2 hours prior, havent had any issues. That whole process of getting to an assignment takes 4 hours at least out of my day. Getting back home has been a little more difficult depending on what time I end a trip at night.

I got the UA TBNT in june 23 and not long after that being that I came from OO the "flow agreement" got me worried that I would be pulled into the 1600 TPIC trap and id have to start over so instead i took the CJO with DAL a year later.

Waited 8 months for a DA class. I'm somehow a line holder, not sure what its going to look like when the seasonal flying slows down come fall. The flying is decent, these constant transcons are rather dull. Flights between 1.5-2hr are my sweet spot. But only half of the trips are commutable. So, that part isn't great.

There are UA folks who live in DA bases and DA folks who live in UA bases and criss cross on the commute. That's rather odd imo. I don't have the desire to fly widebody but I'd like having the ability to hop onto one for fun travel.

I have no interest moving to any DAL base with the exception of SEA maybe, but I do like having sunlight or going to DEN would be something else I'd do for UA or stay in SFO.

Given the climate right now is it even worth reapplying with UA prepping for an interview, waiting for a class and going through the school house again for YR 1 pay.

Jump to SEA and move to the 220 after one year on property and enjoy the seniority movement of that category (it’s very fast). Take a look at the trips.. lots of 1-2 legs a day with lots of deadhead only days. Plenty of 220’s on order and it’s a comfy step up from the 737.

Yes, it’s about a ~8% pay cut but the massive QOL/schedule gain will offset it + more green-slip opportunity. Or, stay in SFO and jump to 350B LAX or 330/350B SEA when the time comes and enjoy an even easier commute.

SFO-LAX with around 30 flights a day at 1hr+25min looks to be one of the easiest commutes I’ve ever seen. Even more-so, since it’s DL mainline with bookable jump-seat. Albeit, this is just from seeing what you’re working with - not putting down your commute exp.. MANY people have far worse commute schedules.

You’re already a line-holder at a legacy with “half” un-commutable trips or you’ll get better at dropping/swapping trips. It will only get better with a little time before it’s full-commutable. 73N LAX is also a fast moving category. You’re in between three Delta hubs so you have good options. Though, if you’re dead set on SFO; I’d keep that app in and jump but really consider it. UA/SFO is going nowhere; but you did say “I don’t have the desire to fly WB” which is UA/SFO’s best quality. The NB flying will be more transcons as you’ve heard - but now you’ll reset your seniority/pay for corporate growth promises.

Stay put. No CJO anyways atm, but you’re in an amazing spot. Delta is growing SEA (as we’ve just seen) and LAX is going nowhere (with potential more growth with the A35K). Even SLC isn’t far away if/when they add a 330/350 base (1hr+25min flight away). Hiring should pick up this Fall or Q1 26’.

Commuting is what you make of it - it’s not the end of the world like some people make it out to be. At the end of the day, even as a commuter, you’re still working way less than the average white collar joe for similar or better pay. Enjoy the fact that you’ve made it!


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