I'd make the jump at 30. So much more opportunity in DEN at UAL. In addition to being a base for WB aircraft, we have a very large and growing presence at the training center and more development on the way with the new land purchase. This gives you career options beyond flying where you can still drive to work. Want to instruct, work special projects, dabble in management - all widely available at some point in DEN. Our WB base is wicked senior and small but because of that there is usually a pretty steady stream of retirements which creates movement downstream and I think there is still room to grow DEN except for the stupid DIA trains. All depends on what you want to do and how ambitious you are with your career. I know one 756 Captain that is senior, bids RSV and UAL is his side gig.

I ran into a guy I know who jumped... he won't openly admit he regrets making the jump, but listening to him whine about the flexibility he had that he no longer has with respect to rearranging his schedule, throttling up or down how much he wants to make and credit, he really doesn't need to. At least he has a hope of flying something other than a 737 at some point.

You also may want to read the WB FO Timing thread under MAJORS.

Since he calls DEN home, there's the option of a stint at TK as well if that's his thing. An option to be home every night.

As you correctly state there have been numerous threads with very similar if not exact circumstances, What makes you think, the responses to them, or overall collective wisdom on your career course of action would be different??



Lets say You retire at WN at 15% .....what does that get you?.......I'm not really sure but I know its doing something flying the 737.......
Im not sure what your retirement % will be at UAL.....but at age 30......its gonna be pretty good perhaps not 15%......but pretty good, likely good enough to be flying a widebody. As I have told everybody with a similar line of questioning: YOUR DECISION INVOLVES RISK......however for you I think the RISK significant to you is VERY LOW.

I made thaf jump, missed flexibility for about a year, sitting on the WB now I tell you I’d have made that jump 1000x over.

As you know, no guarantees. But if you never intended to stay at WN…I wouldn’t let that regret gnaw at my soul. If anything, try to make a list of comparables using real data so you can make the most informed unemotional decision. Worst case, you are at a major now. It could be worse!

true.. But the trip trading sysyem at UA is no where close to SWAs, isnt it?

I think I can speak to this pretty well. I was at WN for a year and a half and jumped to UA this past April. I also live in Denver. I would certainly recommend the jump. That being said, they are definitely very different.

My favorite part about WN was the schedule flexibility and ability to manipulate your schedule. While there is some flexibility at UA, it’s nowhere near WN. But since you said you don’t trade or pick up super often, that’s not a huge factor.

Personally, I liked the culture at WN better. Most of the captains have been great at UA. But I went through a month stretch of flying with guys who genuinely made me think I made the wrong decision. Probably a fluke, but we’ll see.

Also, the pace is different at UA. There is more time between each leg which is nice, because you don’t feel like you’re always chasing your tail to catch up and be on time. Guys taxi slower, configure earlier, and just move at a slower pace overall. Not necessarily a good or bad thing, it just takes getting used to.

Denver 737/320 slots are sometimes available in indoc, however it’s quite possible you’ll commute for several months. I believe TK is pretty over staffed right now, so it may be a long time before they hire instructors again.

Overall I’m happy with my decision. There are days I miss WN. But ultimately UA has significantly more growth plans and opportunities that WN will likely never have. Hope to see you here soon.

Does WN have this schedule flexibilty? 6 legs a month for 85 hours and asleep half the time?

I live in DEN as a WN CA, bid rsv and have worked 4 days in the last month (not counting unused rsv days). Pickups on days off go above guarantee. I worked 5 rsv days and picked up 2 2 days on days off last month for 9 days of wearing a tie. Credited 150 on 39 hrs block. Is UAL that flexible? How easy is it to turn 1 week of VA into 3 weeks off? Can you completely rearrange your schedule with open time/pilot trades with ease?

UAL has the ability to work in the TK and aren’t limited to being a FO while doing it anymore. Also have fleet choices which allows your seniority to be artificially better compared to single fleet.

I gave up a UAL interview 10 yrs ago because DEN was THE senior base (took 3/4 years to hold it as the FO plug) and the company was getting rid of the WB/757 base. Then COVID happened and it became jr with NH being offered CA spots.

You never know when you’ll get a “street CA” slot or be furloughed a week in….I’m not saying furloughs couldn’t happen at WN…just that any jump is a gamble. With 35 yrs in, it might be worth it if WB is what you want. I wouldn’t give up seniority and take a several year paycut for it (WB itch died when I had kids) but different strokes for different folks.

If the OP never intended to stay, 35 yrs is a long time to stew over what could’ve been….