WTF is this irrelevant nonsense? Not a damn thing applies to the OPs question. Sounds like the typical bitter captain you can spot a mile a way, walking through the terminals.

slightly different circumstances but I was at a ULCC for a long time and always made excuses why I didn’t want to leave. JB/NK merger blew up and here I am a first year F/O at 44. If I was in your shoes I would RUN, Not walk. Every single thing about UAL has exceeded my expectations. My only BIG regret is not doing it sooner. You’re young and don’t have a family, Make the move.

If living in FL is high importance for you than stay at JB and apply to AA and get to MIA.

If not, sprint to UA. You're 32 with nothing rooting you anywhere from your given factors. Yes risk is inherent everywhere. But stay at B6 and be "safe" but stagnant or have lots of options of at United and make more $$$ regardless in the long run. I'd venture to say if UA is furloughing, you'd be furloughed at B6 as well. Me, I'd rather be furloughed, mid-thirties on UA's list than B6's with Ichan's nose in the tent and financial uncertainty going on. Good luck!

Except a MIA/FLL base is the most likely city to have a pilot base per a recent flight ops townhall. There are more flights out of MIA/FLL than another other city that isn't already a hub/pilot base. If we end up with some Spirit gates at FLL, its going to be a new 737 or Airbus base tomorrow.

Ill add my $0.02....

Without any responsibilities I'd be chomping at the bit to take that class date with UAL.

Yes their is uncertainity right now and its scary but your still so young and should retire within the top 1500ish. Thats good enough to be a WB CA in your base of choice.

Best of luck and let us know

I've been hearing about the impending purchase of JB by some other airline for the last 15 years. There's a reason it isn’t going to happen. If it does its going to be Alaska or Frontier.

There is risk in leaving as well as risk in staying.

There is more of a furlough risk at an LCC right now than United. Just look at Spirit. Is Jetblue even hiring right now? A downturn will affect all airlines. The only potential hiring at Jetblue now is because pilots like yourself are leaving.

United has had 2 furloughs in the last 45 years. One was 9/11 and the other was the GFC. Even Covid didn't cause a furlough. With retirements growing evey year and staying over 500 for a decade as well as 700 planes on delivery there is an extremely low chance of a furlough. Even the 21 airplanes being announced to be parked early are being replaced by 65 new planes being delivered in 2025. I have not flown with one former JB/NK/F9 etc pilot that has said they regret coming to United. My last FO (late 30s) left Southwest to come to United and he said it was by far the best move.

JB has zero 320s being delivered in 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029. The only reason they will hire is to replace the people leaving for other airlines.

I hope that if you decide to stay you let United know so they can put someone else in that class that wants to be here.

If you are ambivolent stay at Jetblue and let someone that really wants to be here have the job.

Full disclaimer: I don't work for either company.

I would take the class date at UAL and move to a real city that has a better young professional scene. Orlando sucks for a single man your age (been there, done that, and it was kinda lame).

Secondly, don't wait around for a potential merger announcement. Even if it does happen, there's a solid chance that B6 managment completely flubs it up just like they did with NK.

You don't want to waste years of seniority movement elsewhere while some coward like Robin Hayes fakes a health condition to avoid being accountable for why he's so bad at running an airline.

Straight from the flymco website

https://flymco.com/media/press-releases/item/new-lease-agreement-with-united-airlines-brings-valued-aeronautical-development-to-region/

Besides probably moving over to Term C, this was announced back in October. I believe MCO is primed for WB flying (not necessarily a hub, but who knows). United is investing in MCO and won’t be going anywhere.

I would say to take the jump. It’s a total night and day difference from the LCC/ULCCs. Competent management, good people and a solid contract makes this place an awesome place to work at.

I know the rule is to not trust CEOs, especially airline CEOs, but Kirby reaffirmed that he doesn’t plan on furloughing anyone and in fact, wants to to continue to hire more people through the slow down. This is a tune he’s been humming since before I should up on property. Whether he sticks to his word or not, is yet to be seen, BUT he’s the only saying this publicly (which is pretty bold). So take that for what it’s worth.

Hope some of this stuff helps!

When I first got hired I heard the same thing from captains hired in the 1960s and 70s.

No. Take the UA class and apply to AA. More traction from UA/DL than JB