UAL or NWA?

[John Pennekamp]

Given the choice which would you do?

NWA made 1.3 billion last year and plans to hire like crazy. With it's monopoly hubs, huge Asian presence, and shoestring budget, it will probably plod on until it merges with someone (Delta?) The DC-9s are going away, but huge attrition should make up for the airframe loss. All signs point to the Compass E-175s eventually being flown by mainline.

UAL: Undevoted management, huge labor trouble, losing money, moderate Asian presence, fierce competition in its largest hub. But great potential with the right management team. Great group of employees I fit in well with. Lots of great contacts. My hometown airline. Titanic watch, or hit rock bottom?

So what would you do? Please no "are you nuts, they both suck" comments, because we've already heard all of that here. If you had to choose one of the other, which would you choose and why?

 

[IAHERJ]

This is a tough one. I have no ax to grind with either and think I am unbiased so here are my thoughts:

UAL has more potential down the road. NWA has a management team that has hinted towards their future. They seem to want to just maintain the status quo and rid themselves of the fuel thirsty DC-9's in the next few years replacing them with larger RJ's that might be flown by mainline pilots and or a combination of wholy owned regional pilots and mainline guys. They do have a wonderful Asian operation and a cargo operation that serves as a nice hedge against potential weak passenger demand which could present itself as oil prices continue to set new records.

UAL has so much potential but seemingly is being led by a group that really have no long term plan for the airline. Understand I'm just an outsider looking in but the things I hear are not good. I've heard they are looking to rid themselves of the SFO operation and focus the International West Coast operation to LAX. They do not have a fleet plan beyond the end of the decade but that in and of itself might not be a bad thing. Boeing is going to build the replacement for the 737 in about 10 years and if UAL can maintain their current narrowbody fleet for another 10 years they will be the perfect airline to order a massave amount of the new birds as a part of it's fleet plan should their be a management team that still wants to take UAL into the next generation of air travel.

Given the choice, I would go with the one that has a base you would like to live in. I think neither airline is going anywhere. Through a merger, the main hubs for both will remain intact(MEM might go). UAL will either have a major management shakeup through labor unrest or merge. NWA will probably continue to turn things around and hold their own.

IAHERJ

 

[contrail67]

Given the choice which would you do?

NWA made 1.3 billion last year and plans to hire like crazy. With it's monopoly hubs, huge Asian presence, and shoestring budget, it will probably plod on until it merges with someone (Delta?) The DC-9s are going away, but huge attrition should make up for the airframe loss. All signs point to the Compass E-175s eventually being flown by mainline.

UAL: Undevoted management, huge labor trouble, losing money, moderate Asian presence, fierce competition in its largest hub. But great potential with the right management team. Great group of employees I fit in well with. Lots of great contacts. My hometown airline. Titanic watch, or hit rock bottom?

So what would you do? Please no "are you nuts, they both suck" comments, because we've already heard all of that here. If you had to choose one of the other, which would you choose and why?

Northwest has just as many ticked off employees/pilots as the rest. BEWARE of the RJ thing. Don't be surprised to end up in a back flow to Compass. Last one to get a new contract too.

 

[instructordude]

Depends. If you're looking for the option to fly the 777 or the 747 then I would go with United. Northwest you can only fly the 747. Pay is also a concern:

Northwest 747 Capt 177/hr
United 747/777 Capt 184/hr

Based on more pay at United and the fact you can fly either the 777 or 747 it should be an easy choice.

Go with United.

 

[DTW320]

Given the amount of time it will take to make 777 or 747 Captain I would suggest that current contract payrates are meaningless for that argument. Also,If you open that door of having a choice of 777/747 at UAL, then what about the 787 at NWA? North American launch customer next year. Also, while not great, NWA has better work rules on the narrowbodies and NWAALPA has repaired 2 or 3 of the most onerous aspects of the contract already.

My advice? SWA/Fedex/UPS!

 

[CRJ_Driver]

Given the amount of time it will take to make 777 or 747 Captain I would suggest that current contract payrates are meaningless for that argument. Also,If you open that door of having a choice of 777/747 at UAL, then what about the 787 at NWA? North American launch customer next year. Also, while not great, NWA has better work rules on the narrowbodies and NWAALPA has repaired 2 or 3 of the most onerous aspects of the contract already.

My advice? SWA/Fedex/UPS!

Thats the best advice I've read yet! Don't forget the 330 either.

 

[Yuppyguppy]

My advice...get out of the airline business all together.

 

[jetflier]

Given the amount of time it will take to make 777 or 747 Captain I would suggest that current contract payrates are meaningless for that argument. Also,If you open that door of having a choice of 777/747 at UAL, then what about the 787 at NWA? North American launch customer next year. Also, while not great, NWA has better work rules on the narrowbodies and NWAALPA has repaired 2 or 3 of the most onerous aspects of the contract already.

My advice? SWA/Fedex/UPS!

Wait,... you guys didn't tell him about the DC9's
you'd luv 'em !


IMHO NWA is a better choice than UAL.....but if FEDX, UPS, SWA call, then run as fast as you can !!

 

[NuGuy]

Heyas,

I agree with Jetflyer. If you happen to live in MSP or DTW and/or don't have anything else going on, then I'd say go for it, but only until something better comes along.

Nu

 

[GuppyWN]

NWA easily has more growth from a seniority perspective when you look at orders/retirements.

One thing for sure - instructordude is an idiot.

Gup

 

[The Victors]

Both these places are more or less equal at this point. NWA is going to put all the narrow body guys at compass with no pay and United has no clue about anything like a rudderless ship. Both are merger fodder. I think the starting pay is about the same, so I would go to the one that will COST YOU the least amount of time and money. Meaning things like no commuting, pay for hotel during training?, medical cost for you and the fam, per diem? Keep your cost down and then get the heck out of there as soon as possible.

 

[Jmoney]

Idiot!

Depends. If you're looking for the option to fly the 777 or the 747 then I would go with United. Northwest you can only fly the 747. Pay is also a concern:

Northwest 747 Capt 177/hr
United 747/777 Capt 184/hr

Based on more pay at United and the fact you can fly either the 777 or 747 it should be an easy choice.

Go with United.

No matter what this guy says-IGNORE IT!

-This guy terrorized the Regionals boards forever with his spew. He is the worst offender I have ever seen as far as pissing people off. Maybe he is starting off playing nice here, but give him time.....

As for anyone who is not yet familiar with "INSTRUCTORDUDE" on this forum, ignore anything he has to say!

-This guy is a complete tool-he is most often only posting to incite people to flame him. His reputation on the regionals forum is almost legendary for all the retatrded stuff he posted there. The froot loop came from GoJet that should speak volumes in itself.

-IGNORE THIS TOOL!

 

[contrail67]

Northwest has orders and phasing out the DC9. It is good they have new orders but will that net out in more airplanes?...We all know Compass will get more.

 

[5ontheglide]

Easy.

Easy choice - UAL. Doug Steenland is not the CEO!

 

[instructordude]

No matter what this guy says-IGNORE IT!

-This guy terrorized the Regionals boards forever with his spew. He is the worst offender I have ever seen as far as pissing people off. Maybe he is starting off playing nice here, but give him time.....

As for anyone who is not yet familiar with "INSTRUCTORDUDE" on this forum, ignore anything he has to say!

-This guy is a complete tool-he is most often only posting to incite people to flame him. His reputation on the regionals forum is almost legendary for all the retatrded stuff he posted there. The froot loop came from GoJet that should speak volumes in itself.

-IGNORE THIS TOOL!

JMonkey,

What the heck is your problem. I almost never post on the regional board. Why are so angry at everything.

None of my posts are negative. Only negative to someone like you.

Have a great day!:laugh:

 

[GuppyWN]

Dude,

Your posts aren't negative but they sure sound like they come from someone that's never been "in the business."

If you are going to base your career decisions over a 777 vs. a 747 and 7 bucks an hour then I wish you luck. But before you do you might want to research how long it's going to take you to get to that 777 max captain pay vs. CAREER EXPECTATIONS on someithing much smaller. I'd venture a guess that less than 10% of the seniority list is in the whale or 777 at max pay.

Gup

 

[aa73]

Instructor dude works for GoJets... enough said.

 

[Scrapdog]

One thing for sure - instructordude is an idiot.

Gup

One thing we both totally agree on! :beer:

 

[Jmoney]

Wow

JMonkey,

What the heck is your problem. I almost never post on the regional board. Why are so angry at everything.

None of my posts are negative. Only negative to someone like you.

Have a great day!:laugh:

You almost NEVER post on the regional board?
WOW!
You have terrorized that board forever. You are absolutely the biggest tool on this website-with the possible exception of HelloNewman!

I am just trying to warn people. They should not take anything posted here by you seriously.

Your reputation preceeds you-and a well-deserved sorry reputation it is!

-WATCH OUT FOR THIS TOOLSHED!
-You suck INSTRUCTORTARD!

P.S.-I never incinuated that your posts are negative, only that they are the rantings of an idiot. You may be a Booger-eating moron, but I guess you can at least take solace in being a positive booger-eating moron....

 

[instructordude]

You almost NEVER post on the regional board?
WOW!
You have terrorized that board forever.

What the ????? Sir, I have never posted much of anything there. What are you talking about? Don't accuse me of having another username because we all know that is not true.

You are absolutely the biggest tool on this website-with the possible exception of HelloNewman!

Negative comment. You are hurting my feelings.

You need to get laid like Scrapdoggy dog poo.:laugh: It might ease some of your frustration.

I am not an idiot!

 

[instructordude]

deleted

 

[John Pennekamp]

Yeah... anyhow, back to the topic...

 

[Jmoney]

Back to topic..

Topic at hand: INSTRUCTORDUDE IS A GIANT TOOL FACTORY!

-I submit as evidence the preceding post by this GoJets retard.....
-Case Closed, I win!

P.S.- I did get laid like "scrapdoggy dog poo"-by your mom...... Just last night

-SNAP!

 

[instructordude]

Topic at hand: INSTRUCTORDUDE IS A GIANT TOOL FACTORY!

-I submit as evidence the preceding post by this GoJets retard.....
-Case Closed, I win!

P.S.- I did get laid like "scrapdoggy dog poo"-by your mom...... Just last night

-SNAP!

That might be your opinion but I am at a major now and your are still flying rubber dog sh!t out of Honk Kong.

Be careful who you call a tool and lets keep the mom jokes to a minimum .

PS: As far as mom jokes, well your DAD accosted me in the bathroom at ORD last month. That guy needs some help.:laugh:

 

[Jmoney]

I love it!

That might be your opinion but I am at a major now and your are still flying rubber dog sh!t out of Honk Kong.

Be careful who you call a tool and lets keep the mom jokes to a minimum .

PS: As far as mom jokes, well your DAD accosted me in the bathroom at ORD last month. That guy needs some help.:laugh:

I absolutely love screwing with this jackoff! I guess if this drooling moron made it to a major, there must be hope for booger eating morons everywhere! Only in America

As for mom jokes......I love pissing off this froot loop!!!

I have nothing but the deepest repsect for instuctordude's mom-I "repected" all over her back last night!!!

Now, for the sake of everyone on this board, please go and get a smart person to try and help you with your insults, instructordude..... You are really out of your league, and honestly it is a little sad.

Meanwhile, you can get your bitch ass back in the kitchen and make me a sandwich, you TOOL!

Oh, SNAP!

 

[Sedona16]

That might be your opinion but I am at a major now and your are still flying rubber dog sh!t out of Honk Kong.

Be careful who you call a tool and lets keep the mom jokes to a minimum .

PS: As far as mom jokes, well your DAD accosted me in the bathroom at ORD last month. That guy needs some help.:laugh:

If you dont mind my asking what Major do you work for Instructordude? Serious question. Also what airplane are you currently training on (ie MD 88, DC9, etc)?

 

[Scrapdog]

If you dont mind my asking what Major do you work for Instructordude? Serious question. Also what airplane are you currently training on (ie MD 88, DC9, etc)?

Sedona - valid and fair question...however he won't answer you. He doesn't work for a major...probably far from it. Last we all knew, he was a 2 year F/O @ Gojets, which in that respect - he proudly proclaimed. Gojets is a farce, they absolutely produce the worst quality pilot in the industry. If instructorbuffoon actually answers you with which "major" he works for, I'd be extremely surprised. Now, if it's actually the truth - a whole other matter...

 

[contrail67]

Is that him in the picture?.....nice shades dude!

 

[BoilerUP]

instructordude is the "alter-ego" of a UPS pilot hired sometime around 2005.

Also known as Rhoid, ABXpert, 410itdude, UPSer, etc etc...

 

[n7715x]

Scrapdog - just curious, does the ANG have F-22s? Last I knew only active duty units at Langley had them...