American United Delta

[cougarblue]

I havnt seen one of these threads for a while,

If you had a choice which one would you want 1st, 2nd, 3rd? Which one will be 1st, 2nd, 3rd in the future when all the dust settles?
It seems right now Delta is ahead of the group, but once the other two airline mergers and SLIs get taken care of that things might change.
My choice of the future would be:

United
Delta
American

I Like that United has a lot of nice planes on order and a decent contract.
It seems delta flies a bunch of older planes but is forward thinking and stable.
For some reason I have always disliked American and us airways... Not sure why, probably all the disgruntled pilots I come in contact with, but will probably be a good place to get on to with all the retirements...

 

[Scrapdog]

Whoever calls ya should be your first choice.

And if you're a mil guy NEVER quit your guard/reserve job.

I'll give you my 2 cents on United. I'm a 7th year LAX 737 F/O with United (l-cal). I think United is actually in a very good position. Talking to the big wigs, the 787 is a no sh*t game changer and we have a very unique opportunity to make some good money with it as the only US carrier with it for a few years into the future. I know they want to do some ultra-long haul flying with it out of DEN (Den-Tokyo) and out of IAH as well. Eventually they want to open a 787 LAX base and really capitalize on its very fuel efficient/revenue generating capabilities. It really makes its money when its doing long-haul stuff that no other airplane right now can match. I would suspect they'll hit LAX hard with it sooner than later (which would be awesome for me ).

And this is non-biased. I'm far from a knob-schlobber, like Gen Lee is with DAL. Flying for the airlines is strictly a job, an enjoyable one at times, but a job nonetheless.

PS - to throw a bone to Gen Lee (because I'm sure he'll chime in within a few seconds and say getting hired at DAL is as great as having your first born child), I do think DAL is a good company...and AA will be as well once they get their shizzle in a sock.

 

[cougarblue]

Scrap dog,

Thanks for your post. They also have bases in the cities where a lot of high yield business pax fly out of and a lot of retirements.
As for Delta, I had always wanted to get on with them. I just think that when all the dust settles they might be my second choice. out of all the legacy airline pilots I talk to they most often seem to be the happiest.

 

[General Lee]

Knob schlobber? ONLY in your dreams.

I happen to think all 3 legacies have great promise. Pay is coming back up, variety in planes and routes, and stability due to consolidation. Huge retirements at all 3 legacies, so better QOL and plane advancement due to retirements is possible. Bigger planes usually means more money per hour, which will increase pay along with longevity.

When you look at all 3 though, one is proven so far with a smoother SLI transition, more competent management, and forward thinking. I see nightmare SLIs with AA and UA, and that may create some tension between current crews, not newhires most likely.

So, apply to all three and take the first one you get. After that, apply to another one if you prefer to live at a specific base. Certain LCCs (or supposed ones) will not have the upward advancement opportunities that these 3 legacies will have. Good luck.


Bye Bye---General Lee

 

[Scrapdog]

Only took a few minutes...I guessed a few seconds but I wasn't too far off.

 

[Scrapdog]

Knob schlobber? In your dreams, maybe. (Probably)

I happen to think all 3 legacies have great promise. Pay is coming back up, variety in planes and routes, and stability due to consolidation. Huge retirements at all 3 legacies, so better QOL and plane advancement due to retirements is possible. Bigger planes usually means more money per hour, which will increase pay along with longevity.

When you look at all 3 though, one is proven so far with a smoother SLI transition, more competent management, and forward thinking. I see nightmare SLIs with AA and UA, and that may create some tension between current crews, not newhires most likely.

So, apply to all three and take the first one you get. After that, apply to another one if you prefer to live at a specific base. Certain LCCs (or supposed ones) will not have the upward advancement opportunities that these 3 legacies will have. Good luck.


Bye Bye---General Lee

I don't at all. I see angst right now because we're going through the BS you and your beloved DAL went through a few years ago. Once the dust settles and the final list comes out somewhere between UAL's and CAL's, guys will forget the BS in a few months. We have very short memories as humans.

 

[Scrapdog]

Cougar - happy to help...and BTW, word is hiring to continue at the new United for the foreseeable future without an end in sight. 60'ish a month. I think it may slow down post SLI completion for a few months, and then will pick right up again.

Latest blastmail from the IAH chief pilot said 9,500'ish apps on file with one added every hour. And these are all qualified guys/gals. Tough to get an interview right now. I'm trying to get one of my mil bro's in as we speak.

 

[General Lee]

I don't at all. I see angst right now because we're going through the BS you and your beloved DAL went through a few years ago. Once the dust settles and the final list comes out somewhere between UAL's and CAL's, guys will forget the BS in a few months. We have very short memories as humans.

At NWA there was animosity for years between Republic and NWA pilots due to an arbitration award, and just look at the NIC award at US. Can you see those two groups flying together now? No way. But, you don't think so...... Oh-Kay. We'll see....


Bye Bye---General Lee

 

[LearLove]

holly sh!t is it 1999?

 

[Scrapdog]

At NWA there was animosity for years between Republic and NWA pilots due to an arbitration award, and just look at the NIC award at US. Can you see those two groups flying together now? No way. But, you don't think so...... Oh-Kay. We'll see....


Bye Bye---General Lee

Oh no, oh no the sky is falling!!! Must be doom and gloom because hey - Republic and NWA are bitter and that must be like it is everywhere right? Yeah, ok dude. But hey you're the expert with your 17K posts (all I can say to that is wow and shake my head).

Luckily, most guys at most of the airlines are good, rational guys that accept this job as a job, not as their life like yourself. Your vantage point is the skewed 1% at the end of the bell curve with all the other guys that have zero life and eat, breathe, and sleep airline horse sh*t. Almost all the guys I've talked to at the new U want to get the list over with and move on. There are the 1% looney's like yourself at every airline that have no other life, but thankfully that's not the majority.

I'm off to get a work out in. I'm sure you'll respond 6-9 more times within the next hour...sorry if I don't respond back right away. Got other things I need to get done!

 

[PBRstreetgang]

Only took a few minutes...I guessed a few seconds but I wasn't too far off.

He had to finish that knob, he probably had to wipe his eyes clear from the pearl necklace.

 

[Hpilot]

1) Delta
2) American
3) United


Why Delta? They're currently in the lead and we're playing catch up. That could change. Why United last. They may actually have the most valuable assets, but they have the worst management, by far.

I should add, they're all great choices. They are ranked like I was a regional captain, several thousand hrs 121 PIC & a 4yr degree. That was a looong time ago.

 

[Hpilot]

I happen to think all 3 legacies have great promise. Pay is coming back up, variety in planes and routes, and stability due to consolidation. Huge retirements at all 3 legacies, so better QOL and plane advancement due to retirements is possible. Bigger planes usually means more money per hour, which will increase pay along with longevity.

When you look at all 3 though, one is proven so far with a smoother SLI transition, more competent management, and forward thinking. I see nightmare SLIs with AA and UA, and that may create some tension between current crews, not newhires most likely.

So, apply to all three and take the first one you get. After that, apply to another one if you prefer to live at a specific base. Certain LCCs (or supposed ones) will not have the upward advancement opportunities that these 3 legacies will have. Good luck.


Bye Bye---General Lee

Good post

 

[Heavy Set]

Delta
UAL
American


FWIW, Delta is the best managed of the bunch and I think I read they will lose something like 4,000 pilots to retirement in the 2020-2025 timeframe. Hopefully the Diesel 9s will be gone by then. UAL seems to be getting back on track with fleet expansion and the American/USAirways merger looks a bit more hazy from a pilot standpoint with regard to integration. I agree newhires won't have to worry too much at any of them. From an LCC standpoint, I'd consider Spirit as a top choice in that category with relatively low upgrade time.

 

[Hpilot]

Delta
UAL
American


FWIW, Delta is the best managed of the bunch and I think I read they will lose something like 4,000 pilots to retirement in the 2020-2025 timeframe. Hopefully the Diesel 9s will be gone by then. UAL seems to be getting back on track with fleet expansion and the American/USAirways merger looks a bit more hazy from a pilot standpoint with regard to integration. I agree newhires won't have to worry too much at any of them. From an LCC standpoint, I'd consider Spirit as a top choice in that category with relatively low upgrade time.

You have a good point about the American/US Airways seniority integration. We've voted in the process to deal with that and there is a time line, but it could drag out for another 1-1 1/2 year(s). Until then, it's as you say, "hazy," as far as seniority placement for all involved.

 

[cougarblue]

Ya it does seem like delta has good management. I really don't know about the other two in that regard. However I think general is right that if you are a new hire any one would be good.
I'm really excited about United getting a bunch of A350s and Dreamliners. Would be an awesome place to work for a new hire.

 

[CapnVegetto]

Choices:

1/2 (tie) United and American.
3. Delta

I'd be incredibly happy if any of them picked me up, but for me it's about one thing and one thing only: Driving to work.

I would live in Houston or Dallas forever. I could live in Atlanta or close to it. Those are my choices, in that order, and that is what it is based on. I'm 35, so I'll never be super-senior anywhere, but I don't give a crap about that. I'll sit reserve for a long time if I can sit at home and drive to work. Reserve ain't so bad if you can do that, especially senior reserve.

Planes: don't give a rat's ass
Flying: don't much care, at least to a point.
Pay and benefits: they're all pretty close anyway, some are better than others, but all pay you PLENTY to live on.

It's like real estate for me.....location location location. If I had my pick, I'd pick one of the three based SOLEY on where I want to spend the next 30 years living.

Of course, even though DL is third on the list, if they called me tomorrow I'd pack my happy-go-lucky a$$ up with a big $hit eating grin on my face and never look back, all while counting my lucky stars.

We'll see.

 

[Hpilot]

Choices:

1/2 (tie) United and American.
3. Delta

I'd be incredibly happy if any of them picked me up, but for me it's about one thing and one thing only: Driving to work.

I would live in Houston or Dallas forever. I could live in Atlanta or close to it. Those are my choices, in that order, and that is what it is based on. I'm 35, so I'll never be super-senior anywhere, but I don't give a crap about that. I'll sit reserve for a long time if I can sit at home and drive to work. Reserve ain't so bad if you can do that, especially senior reserve.

Planes: don't give a rat's ass
Flying: don't much care, at least to a point.
Pay and benefits: they're all pretty close anyway, some are better than others, but all pay you PLENTY to live on.

It's like real estate for me.....location location location. If I had my pick, I'd pick one of the three based SOLEY on where I want to spend the next 30 years living.

Of course, even though DL is third on the list, if they called me tomorrow I'd pack my happy-go-lucky a$$ up with a big $hit eating grin on my face and never look back, all while counting my lucky stars.

We'll see.

Good attitude. At 35, with the number of retirements over the next 10-15 years, if you get on in the next couple years, you're going to be real senior one day. Just keep the good attitude and no matter what happens you'll be happy. Sorry if I sound like an old geezer dolling out advice, I'm not much older than you are.

 

[SpauldingSmails]

Choices:

1/2 (tie) United and American.
3. Delta

I'd be incredibly happy if any of them picked me up, but for me it's about one thing and one thing only: Driving to work.

I would live in Houston or Dallas forever. I could live in Atlanta or close to it. Those are my choices, in that order, and that is what it is based on. I'm 35, so I'll never be super-senior anywhere, but I don't give a crap about that. I'll sit reserve for a long time if I can sit at home and drive to work. Reserve ain't so bad if you can do that, especially senior reserve.

Planes: don't give a rat's ass
Flying: don't much care, at least to a point.
Pay and benefits: they're all pretty close anyway, some are better than others, but all pay you PLENTY to live on.

It's like real estate for me.....location location location. If I had my pick, I'd pick one of the three based SOLEY on where I want to spend the next 30 years living.

Of course, even though DL is third on the list, if they called me tomorrow I'd pack my happy-go-lucky a$$ up with a big $hit eating grin on my face and never look back, all while counting my lucky stars.

We'll see.

Not a bad way of looking at it, but bases change and often in unexpected ways. I do agree that any of the aforementioned airlines would be out of business though before DFW, IAD or ATL disappeared as domiciles.

Then again, there was PIT @ USAir.

 

[ALGFLYR]

Of course, even though DL is third on the list, if they called me tomorrow I'd pack my happy-go-lucky a$$ up with a big $hit eating grin on my face and never look back, all while counting my lucky stars.

That"s funny and really made me laugh...