Class date at United and jetBlue

[sonic340]

Serious question that I've been having a hard time with. I've got a class date at United and also one with jetBlue and I'm trying to make the best decision possible since my crystal ball seems to be broken. I've got a pro/con list for both and am having a difficult time with this one. Any valuable insight?

 

[pilotgolfer]

Serious question that I've been having a hard time with. I've got a class date at United and also one with jetBlue and I'm trying to make the best decision possible since my crystal ball seems to be broken. I've got a pro/con list for both and am having a difficult time with this one. Any valuable insight?

Where do you live? Do you mind doing redeyes? How do you look in a blue shirt? Where do you currently work?

Lots to consider.

 

[sonic340]

Live in ND. Never done redeyes. Do I really want to be on the bottom of 8000+ with not much hiring forecast and very little retirements? Or take a chance at jetBlue being around for the long haul? A couple of the many questions with no clear answer. 6 years ago I'd have given my right arm to get an offer from United and how strange it seems now that I even have to think about it.
Are you making the switch from jb to ual?

 

[race#53]

sonic,
i would go with UAL, you will get a type in the 737 for free then you can go to.......

 

[1Speedbird]

If you plan to stay in ND United would be an easier commute. If you are planning on moving anyway I would take a good look a JB.

 

[stillflyn]

I left a CA job at JB a year ago to return to UAL. I still don't have any second thoughts. If it helps..... depending on where you want to commute to, both ORD and DEN had unfilled A320 bids that will go to newhires. You are also PIC typed in all a/c at UAL if you care.

Long call/ short call on reserve works pretty well and if you can work through the first year pay the 16% B and C fund starts to add up pretty fast.

Hard decision though..... good luck!

Stillflyn

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

Whats Bonnie doing?

 

[Getter]

For what its worth... I have buddies at Jet Blue and buddies at UAL. The UAL guys seem somewhat less miserable than the Blue group. I think I'd go to UAL.

 

[Huggyu2]

UAL.
I don't understand the comment made about "not many retirements coming up". I believe UAL is retiring about 3% of their pilot list each year, but I don't have those figures in front of me.

 

[najet]

I spent 4 of my 5 years at UAL commuting to reserve (my choice) and realize only now that its time I'll never get back. I was furloughed from UAL in 2003 and came to JB and am now a bus captain living in base. I'll likely make much more money over the next 5 years at JB, although, I'm likely giving up greater career earnings at UAL. Its taken me a long time to learn - and you have to realize this for yourself - you can always make money, but, you can't make time. I can't emphasize this concept enough - this is what compelled me to resign from UAL last week to stay at JB. If I lived in ORD,DEN, DCA, etc., etc., I would have gone back to UAL in 2005 and never looked back.
As stated in previous posts, pick the airline that promises the best quality of life - each have unique advantages/disadvantages and I believe both will be viable over the short/intermediate term. United will be negatively impacted by age 65 to a much greater extent and perhaps has a greater risk of merger or acquisition as well as labor issues coming to a head. Jetblue offers less career diversity at present (versus UAL) and has taken on a lot of debt which may or may not yield returns in the next 5 or 10 years.
Best of luck in your decision-making!

 

[ualdriver]

UAL.
I don't understand the comment made about "not many retirements coming up". I believe UAL is retiring about 3% of their pilot list each year, but I don't have those figures in front of me.

I'm pretty sure those are good numbers. That's how many guys are retiring at UAL per year assuming Age 60.

Good luck with your decision sonic.



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[Rook]

sonic,
i would go with UAL, you will get a type in the 737 for free then you can go to.......

Where can you go with an SIC 737 type?? Unless he stays long enough to upgrade.

 

[D-Bo]

Where can you go with an SIC 737 type?? Unless he stays long enough to upgrade.

Everyone coming back or going through an a/c transition is PIC typed. Not SIC.

 

[Rook]

Everyone coming back or going through an a/c transition is PIC typed. Not SIC.

But new-hires??

 

[D-Bo]

But new-hires??

New hires too. Everyone.