Originally Posted by CowBoyz47

Hi there, I’ve been at DL coming on a year & a half now with approx. 1,500 #’s beneath me living in base at 26 yr old.
Just got a call for the Hogan, but no CJO currently.
I like the plans over at UA for growth (the aircraft orders alone look like UA is poised to truly become 20k+ in the near future, DL or AA is nowhere near that #) & intl. presence, and the obvious seniority climb and would be interested in moving to Houston if I made the jump. If given a class date in late mid-late 25’, would it be crazy to jump ship?
Is NB Captain or WB FO in Houston obtainable within the first year or so? I’m looking at another 2 years for 350/330 FO at DL, or 2-3 years for NB Captain on 320/73N in base; and to be 50% up the list on yr 16. Would UA be much diff?
I’m happy living in base where I’m at but open to moving if I needed, would this be a viable scenario or crazy to give up where I’m at?

I feel very fortunate to be in this position, I am trying to provide ample details to paint an accurate picture. Thank you for any advice!!

Originally Posted by Swakid8

Wait a minute, you had a CJO here before didn’t ya? How come you didn’t come over originally?

Originally Posted by Wildturkey

The good thing is that you’ve reached your career destination at 26.

It’s time to focus on and build a life outside of flying.

Originally Posted by Request20Right

am in a similar spot to OP. I've been with SWA for 1.5 years and have a CJO with UAL. With 1400 pilots beneath me at SWA (although hiring is currently frozen due to MAX issues), I'm in a relatively good position, especially considering my seniority and 58% in base seniority in LAX, living and driving from north county SAN.

Despite this, I'm torn about making the move. I've already postponed two class dates with UAL this year due to uncertainty. If I do decide to join UAL, I'd need to start class by January. Initially, I was attracted to UAL for the possibility of wide-body (WB) flying, but I've previously disregarded it as I like to stay on my own time zone and I value flexibility and QOL.

While UAL offers the opportunity to fly WB international and sit on reserve, I'm unsure if it's worth leaving SWA. Our contract and setup for 737 flying seem superior, and I enjoy the flexibility, vacations, premium pay, and ease of schedule changes at SWA. Although we're facing issues with Elliott and uncertainty about the future, I don't feel my job is threatened. I think SWA is just going through a realignemnt phase in their business model. We don't have the premium cabins that UAL and DAL have been benefitting from in the post-covid travel boom.

Seniority-wise, SWA will likely remain stagnant for the next 2-3 years, depending on when we get planes from Boeing. Our retirement wave is further in the future, and assuming 0% growth, it's looking like a 9-10 year upgrade. I'm 30 and currently on year 2 pay at SWA, with a year 3 raise in May '25.

I'm rethinking UAL because of the variety but I'm unsure if it's worth jumping ship. Comparing apples to apples (737 to 737), SWA seems to have the better contract. UAL's retirements and growth plans are exciting, but I don't want to miss out on a potentially better opportunity. Is variety something really improtant to consider, or is an airplane an airplane at the end of the day?

What I value the most is schedule flexibility, and the ability to make great money for the most time off. Trying to collect information to make an informed decision! I know the grass isn't always greener. Thanks.

Originally Posted by CRJJ

No WB here at AA, still like 2 years away AT LEAST, and more than that if we talk about senior bases. June/July '23 for WB DEN sounds junior to me at this point. Anyways, not even thinking about that part right now, just analizing risks and leaving 2-3,000 seniority numbers on the table.
I never thought a specific base would be a deal breaker fo rme, but I can't seem to find a place where I can feel the way I felt living in Denver.
Other option would be living in Denver and commuting to DFW, but then I'd be a commuter and that would suck big time.

Originally Posted by CRJJ

Yet another similar situation!. 42 yo, 1.5 years at AA, 1900 pilots junior to me. I moved out of Denver to an AA base and I miss living there A LOT.
Airbus driver right now, flew 737 in the past, not a big fan but wouldn’t mind too much if I could live in Denver.
Would I be too crazy to even try going to UA?. We haven’t hired in a while, classes start again in January so some movement coming.
No kids, no wife, and I miss flying WB, but I understand DEN WB is extremely senior, probably like DFW WB for us.
Thoughts?

Originally Posted by All In

SWA isnt Delta. I would leave.

Originally Posted by whatarefacts

Similar situation execpt at FX....just about 3 years but the back side of the clock flying and the direction FX wants to go are serious things to consider. FX is not going to hire for who knows how long they are happy just outsourcing and the pilot group is so divided. Got hired on during the covid high period and thought WOW....FX but in reality this pilot group and company were somehow able to hide all the inadequacies and below industry standard work rules that exist here. Commuting to MEM is painful and moving there is out of the question MEM is a dump. Have a cjo but is it a safe move to start all over again...but is riding out night hub turns and back side of the clock flying at a company that will not grow, has subpar pay and work rules and clearly would rather outsource then conitue to utilize their own pilot group good also?