Leave AirTran for CAL?

[LUalum]

Just got a call today for a CAL interview next month. Been at FL for 3 years now and upgrade hopefully is around the corner. I'm trying not to get blinded by my big jet syndrom and make a cold rational decision what to do should the interview go my way. Oh yeah, just found out my wife and I are expecting our first so we'll be down to just one income, which as I understand it is pretty low first year at CAL. It would be a shorter commute to IAH than ATL though. Same time zone even.

Is 33K take home sound about right first year?
How long to get IAH on any airplane?
Should UAL and CAL merge what are likely outcomes for a new guy, HomeDepot job or what? Is a merger likely?
Are commuteable schedules available, is the PBS a QOL improver or not?
Is the sim ride now in a 737, what model?
When is medical ins available to a newhire?

I did look at the archives on this subject but most info was 2005 era, so fresh gouge would be appreciated.

 

[Ex737Driver]

Tough choice...........Got a TA, possible upgrade soon, new kid, low first year pay at CAL with out-of-pocket medical expenses first 6 months. But possible better career earnings potential, international, different aircraft, quick upgrade. Do the pros and cons list. It has happen before if you look back at a few of our newhire classes and I'm sure it will again.

 

[Ty Webb]

Well, first of all, congratulations on the offer from CAL.

I would say that if your lifestyle allows you to start over, CAL sounds pretty good. As a current AAI CA (6th yr) I would say that if you are near upgrade, then you might want to wait to see what the shakeout does around here.

AAi is at a turning point. Are we going to hold out on scope? I sure hope so . . . . all AIrTran planes flown at 717/737 rates would be a start.

Clear Scope language with no outsourcing unless thorugh a LOA, preserving some QOL and being flexible on others . . . otherwise, no one will want to stay, and it will turn into a "shelter for battered pilots". Who wants to be a part of that? I sure don't.

 

[instructordude]

Have you thought about Fedex? They are hiring.

 

[IAHERJ]

I left Airtran in 2005 after almost 3 years and an upgrade class staring me in the face. I couldn't be more happy. It worked for me but I can understand the low first year pay situation(yes 33K sounds right) with a newborn etc. will be difficult. You can get to IAH very soon if you are assigned the 737. It takes a while longer on the 757/767 but I don't think they are doing much hiring on that equipment right now. PM me if you have any specific questions. I would be happy to talk to you about this decision.

IAHERJ

 

[Yuppyguppy]

Go to CAL...no brainer...been there and done it.

 

[COpilot]

Congrats, on baby, and call.

1. If big airplanes are not big deal great,

2. I am very anti commute for peace of mind, so ask yourself that question.

3. I still think AAA is well placed, and making CA would still be awhile away over here.

4. He!l, it's such a crap shoot, you can only make the best decision for yourself given the information on that day; then go foward not looking back.

 

[whymeworry?]

Bear in mind, with a young on one the way, you WILL have to pay cobra after you leave Airtran. The reason is that any supplemental medical I called told me pregnancy was not covered. Then again, since your wife is already pregnant, perhaps she will be covered with a "pre-existing condition" by any new insurance.

Cobra is a joke. You can get supplemental medical insurance for around $100/ mo. But the bigger joke is that CAL doesn't provide insurance for th first 6 months.

 

[Ex737Driver]

There are several other choices other than COBRA with a few having been listed on different threads in the past.

 

[Heavy Set]

Go to CAL...no brainer...been there and done it.

When is CAL going to merge with United? That sure will be fun for CAL pilots if it happens. Gotta take that into consideration.