UA vs SW for MCO
 

I’m fortunate enough to have a united cjo, but wanted to ask the question if it would be worth pursuing a SW app/interview should outside pilot hiring resume in ‘26 like heavily rumored. My Current availability date for UA is Jan. (I understand take the 1st class date always. Not trying to assume SW will for sure be hiring or would even offer me an interview.) Just trying to cover my bases and at least attempt some semblance of a plan. I’ll be living in driving distance of Orlando on the FL east coast.

What are the pros and cons of both? I know It could take 1-5 years to even get based in mco on the 73 for ua. Many rumors about wb expansion (although i don't want to plan based on rumors), and although I don't necessarily care about wb flying, seems like it could help with movement. UA expecting to hire 2600+ in 2026 (who knows if that’ll actually happen). any obvious differences in quality of life between the 2? Would SW be better quality of life there as a junior guy? Is UA growth and expansion worth commuting for a couple years before getting mco based? Thanks in advance

Some thoughts:

- driving to work (at least long term) would be my #1 priority, all other things equalish
- I believe you’d easily make more $ on the 737 at SWA
- MCO was fairly junior on the FO side, but haven’t looked recently, and it hasn’t been on a vacancy for a while
- the hiring #s are pretty large for UA starting pretty much now through ‘26. You potentially could have 2500 people below you in your first year - bananas. That could change in a heartbeat
- the 787 delivery #s are pretty large for UA through ‘26. That could change in a heartbeat
- having WB (and various NBs for that matter) on property offers a dynamic that isn’t available at a single-fleet carrier
- most of us didn’t care about WB flying until doing it. Now it would take a lot for me to go back. IF you’re able to manage your rest, I can’t imagine a better flying job for QOL:work:$

Honestly, I don’t see you having a dilemma at the moment. Take your UA class and keep your SWA app updated. At the point when/if you get their CJO, then the dilemma begins. At that point you will have a clearer picture - may love your UA life, may hate it, etc. Good luck!

wait for the interview at southwest and bid the Orlando base. Best of luck to you !

MCO is co-terminal for UAL with TPA, so add that into the equation. I think the most simple questions here are - How many people leave UAL for SWA? How many people leave SWA for UAL? SWA is a great airline but their differentiation has been fundamentally changed, and my friends there are justifiably nervous.

When/if you get the call from SWA, you will already know a lot more about what United is and be better educated as to what your future would look like here. For instance you will know that MCO is not a hub, but a single-fleet pilot base. The permanency of that pilot base is anyone's guess.

Right now anyone here on APC won’t have a great answer about UALs plans on MCO/TPA. Sure there are definitely a few people out there that do know, but not any of us line pilots.

lots of speculation is all you’ll get.

I can tell you actually holding MCO right now is nearly impossible as they aren’t doing backfills. Until backfills are at least offered, no one goes unless it’s a base trade.

I’m sitting next to two SWA bros right now, both Captains. Both said you’re an idiot if you go there instead of United.

My thoughts also.

Go with the offer in hand. It’s not sacrilege if you change your mind later. Here at WN Orlando used to go very senior and then we had a big swing with junior folks being there now.

Dont get me wrong—SWA is a good place to
work. As with anywhere, it’s better with seniority, and perspective from a ten year guy is different than a two year guy. We are in new territory now and there is unease in the air—I’d say mostly from the lack of a clear picture. This will be a different place in five years. How it looks, well nobody knows.

I was in your position in 2022 with both CJO. A few years back SWA was the most stable airline with zero furlough in its history. As well I had flown WB intl for a foreign carrier so I had no interest for that.

Flexibility and money did not disappoint. As a FO you can make a lot of money. I made 287 tfp in July (thanks to constant double time and a week of vacation). I don’t have friends at UA who did such big numbers at this seniority level…going above 150tfp is easy…A lot of my class mates on Y3 will go north of 350k without any 401k contributions.

I think our flexibility and earning abilities are excellent. Sick policy that is as well superior, no question asked, no dependability monitoring.

Now United has the fleet flexibility that we don’t have, a leadership vision that is absent right now at SWA. More retirements I think around 19% of their seniority list next 5Y vs 14% for us (someone correct me if i am wrong)

Swa is changing and no one knows what the company will be in 5 years. Right now the safest bet for you, based on current fact is UA.

For the guys saying you would be an idiot taking SWA. I think it’s not very smart and condescending to make such statements in a really uncertain industry. What is the best decision today may be the worst in 3 years. I know guys who left UA for FDX and regret later when UA was not that great. Who could predict Fedex would lose its shine? At the time we had delta guys coming to SWA…

Any of the big 4 is a great career move, no one can predict in 5/10 years which place will be better. All the best with your decision.