Need advice from the "experts"
 

My husband has been offered a job at
L- CAL....We are trying to be realistic as we try to make this life decision. He is a 12 year captain for a regional, lives in base and has a great schedule. His ultimate goal would be to be based in LA...or at least on the west coast. From all you experts does he have a shot in hell of having that happen in 2-3 years? As I read all your posts I don't understand a lot of what everyone is talking about but it appears that the CAL side is short FO's and after the integration the recalls will be used to fill any deficiencies...My greatest fear as "the wife" is that he will be furloughed. What are your opinions about being a new hire before integration. Is it really a great time to be hired or would he be taking a chance at how integration shakes out and could they decide at that point maybe they have too many pilots? (That might be a stupid question.) I am sure most Legacy pilots would think it is dumb for a regional pilot to even question taking this job but the whole "quality of life issue" VS. more money etc... is a big deal.

If he can handle commuting to Reserve in Newark for a few years, I think getting to the west coast will be possible. San Fran was a very junior airbus base years ago. Once the seniority list is ironed out, things will be more clear.

Not sure which regional he is at...but it's gonna be a pay cut for the first year. Not as severe as it would have been two months ago, but still a cut. Maybe break even on year two. I doubt his regional job is putting close to 16% away into his retirement.

How old is he? If he is under 45, I'd rather do the next 20 years at United than else where.

Sounds like Regional Stockholm Syndrome. Go to L-CAL.

There is never a perfect time to get hired, but this is as good as any. Retirements clicking, FAR 117 and contract requirements are driving the need for more bodies. Go for it, look at Comair and Pinnacle. There is no job security at the regionals, even Skywest (assuming). Although it looks good now.

To even consider staying after being offered the position is difficult to comprehend after watching what just happened to two very large regionals. Was he in a pool at CAL? I would RUN to united.

.....Do it.

It's funny, you guys act like United has not furloughed anyone in the last decade... or twice furloughed.

Agreed. i bet he can get to West coast somewhere in a year, two max.

With the sheer number off mandatory retirements they have coming up I would take the job at CAL and run. The QOL will take a big hit for the first year or two, but the money will get back to where it is now within 2 years, and QOL will come back.

worst day at a legacy is better than best day at a lift vendor..... if both are furloughing... and one has been around since the 1930s.... :eek: