SWA vs UAL
02-07-2026 | 06:28 PM
#11
Line Holder
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 1,571
Likes: 354
Honestly you never know.
We had a guy come on here in 2019 with both of the same CJOs and then took the SWA offer because someone told him it was 20 years to hold CA in Denver. He only wanted to live in Denver. Turns out he'd have been able to hold CA in Denver since 2023, but he's still a SWA FO and still many years away from CA, plus he will never fly a WB.
Anything can happen in MCO. Airlines open and close bases all the time. One option is just to stay in Pensacola until you can hold MCO and move there. You might change your mind in a decade and want to fly WB planes, but you won't ever do that at SWA most likely. We will have over 300 WB in about 6 years at United.
Also remember that unless you are #1 on the list at SWA you will never be the #1 737 CA there. At United you can probably be #1 on a NB under 1,000 seniority in many bases. I would be #1 in a few 737 or Airbus CA bases but only around 1,000 systemwide.
Good luck with your decision and thanks for your ongoing military service.
We had a guy come on here in 2019 with both of the same CJOs and then took the SWA offer because someone told him it was 20 years to hold CA in Denver. He only wanted to live in Denver. Turns out he'd have been able to hold CA in Denver since 2023, but he's still a SWA FO and still many years away from CA, plus he will never fly a WB.
Anything can happen in MCO. Airlines open and close bases all the time. One option is just to stay in Pensacola until you can hold MCO and move there. You might change your mind in a decade and want to fly WB planes, but you won't ever do that at SWA most likely. We will have over 300 WB in about 6 years at United.
Also remember that unless you are #1 on the list at SWA you will never be the #1 737 CA there. At United you can probably be #1 on a NB under 1,000 seniority in many bases. I would be #1 in a few 737 or Airbus CA bases but only around 1,000 systemwide.
Good luck with your decision and thanks for your ongoing military service.
02-08-2026 | 12:06 AM
#12
Line Holder
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,631
Likes: 80
02-08-2026 | 04:10 AM
#13
Line Holder
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 892
Likes: 151
02-08-2026 | 06:22 AM
#14
off weekends (if Reserve)
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 1,159
Likes: 97
02-08-2026 | 06:36 AM
#15
Line Holder
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 985
Likes: 65
sorry, just stupid humor. Most of the people you’ll fly with at UAL are great.
02-08-2026 | 02:52 PM
#16
off weekends (if Reserve)
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 1,159
Likes: 97
My views on the Hat I think are on record……that notwithstanding I wouldn’t choose an airline on anything Uniform related.
02-08-2026 | 05:51 PM
#17
Line Holder
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 534
Likes: 15
From: 18%er but I’ll enforce UPA23 to the last period.
02-08-2026 | 06:39 PM
#18
On Reserve
Joined: Aug 2025
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Got hired last year. I live just east of Pcola. Commute to IAH usually ain’t bad, and if you get tickets early they are cheap. Usually more mainline flight in the busy season. Plan on having to double commute for at least a little bit.
02-09-2026 | 02:17 PM
#20
On Reserve
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 38
Likes: 23
I’m lucky enough to have a CJO with both companies with classes starting next month. I’m having trouble deciding between the 2.
I live in Pensacola and for the next few years minimum I will be commuting from there family reasons. Tracking my best options would be PNS->IAH for United and PNS->BNA for Southwest.
I’m also in the mil reserves so I plan on staying in Pensacola until I’ve had enough with that. After we plan to move to MCO.
Im looking for some insight on which of these companies will provide the best career for the next 25 years (obviously no one has a crystal ball) assuming a start next month.
United was my #1 but now seeing how many people have been hired prior to me and not a huge presence at MCO has me rethinking.
Thanks in advance - and I know this is a great situation to be in!
I live in Pensacola and for the next few years minimum I will be commuting from there family reasons. Tracking my best options would be PNS->IAH for United and PNS->BNA for Southwest.
I’m also in the mil reserves so I plan on staying in Pensacola until I’ve had enough with that. After we plan to move to MCO.
Im looking for some insight on which of these companies will provide the best career for the next 25 years (obviously no one has a crystal ball) assuming a start next month.
United was my #1 but now seeing how many people have been hired prior to me and not a huge presence at MCO has me rethinking.
Thanks in advance - and I know this is a great situation to be in!
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