DAL & CAL... In a perfect World

[SpauldingSmails]

The best advice I can give is to make the decision by flipping a coin

Amen to that! A decade ago UAL was quite the cat's pajamas, now look.

 

[twobits]

You might as well choose between Braniff and Pan Am if you are talking about this year. CO and UA will merge in 2012, which will create a situation similar to AA/TWA. DL is going to be getting rid of pesky planes like the DC-9 next year (all of them; even though they haven't publicly stated this), and replacing them with big RJ's (who knows if it will be mainline, or CHQ pilots who like to call themselves Delta pilots in the cockpit). DL might pull the 5 or 6 767ER's out of the desert summer 2011, and can crew them with the displaced -9 pilots that will go through training next winter.

CVG will shut down as a main hub in 2011 too, despite all efforts to prevent the release of this information. The -88's in CVG will take over the flying in DTW in the -9.

Delta will hire before Continental/United; however, this will be years away - not 6 months. My guess is 2.5 years.

 

[JFReservist]

Can't really tell from the small photo but that looks like Mickey Dora's stance to me!

Miklos Dora... "Da Cat" himself. Nice catch.

 

[SFR]

Delta all the way. No compression with CAL. Delta contract, pilot group and future is much better in all aspects. Even if you live in one of CAL bases you will regret going here.
But it is much harder to get hired by Delta. Good luck!

Regret going to CAL?? Are you nuts? I lived in ATL and got hired at CAL, moved to Houston. Best decision I have ever done.

Not only is Houston a nicer area, but I sit reserve with CAL and barely fly.


19 hours YTD baby!!!!!!!!!!! 2010 is looking better than 2009 (220 hours total)

 

[ACL65PILOT]

You might as well choose between Braniff and Pan Am if you are talking about this year. CO and UA will merge in 2012, which will create a situation similar to AA/TWA. DL is going to be getting rid of pesky planes like the DC-9 next year (all of them; even though they haven't publicly stated this), and replacing them with big RJ's (who knows if it will be mainline, or CHQ pilots who like to call themselves Delta pilots in the cockpit). DL might pull the 5 or 6 767ER's out of the desert summer 2011, and can crew them with the displaced -9 pilots that will go through training next winter.

CVG will shut down as a main hub in 2011 too, despite all efforts to prevent the release of this information. The -88's in CVG will take over the flying in DTW in the -9.

Delta will hire before Continental/United; however, this will be years away - not 6 months. My guess is 2.5 years.

Maybe maybe not.

The 50 series 9's will get parked when oil goes up. CHQ pilots will fly more 70+ seat RJ's when they hit the high water mark on the mainline fleet. I do not see this group of LEC Reps giving in on scope. If they think about it they will get recalled. Yes, that is the general consensus around here.

 

[Helos2Galaxy]

I was hired by both (CAL in late 2000, Delta in early 2000) though I was thrown in CAL's pool before I even interviewed at Delta, but DAL gave me a class date a year sooner so I took it.

I would be a 737 CA at CAL, where right now I am a senior MD-88 FO at Delta. My QOL is probably much better at Delta. I a bud who was turned down at DAL and sebsequently hired at CAL but wishes DAL hired him.

Did I make the right choice? Ask in 18 years....

 

[lookin4better]

Could CAL have the furloughs back by summer if they called them back in April?

I'd love to see either of these carriers hire.... who knows.

 

[SteelerMan]

People sure throw the term "great company" around waaaaaay to loosely these days.

 

[JFReservist]

Maybe maybe not.

The 50 series 9's will get parked when oil goes up. CHQ pilots will fly more 70+ seat RJ's when they hit the high water mark on the mainline fleet. I do not see this group of LEC Reps giving in on scope. If they think about it they will get recalled. Yes, that is the general consensus around here.

Given the statement above, and remember... "in a perfect world" - what is the forecast for the aircraft retirements to aircraft order and pilot movement (retirements and growth for new AC) look in the next 5-10 years for both companies?

Thanks again guys...

 

[Furloughed80]

Both good airlines to work for. You will know if you made the right decision when you retire. Good luck!

 

[JOPILOT]

I would say either...I am an bad commuter though so it comes down to where can I stand to live before they close the base etc...I also have friends that could have gone
to either and all 3 chose DAL. I do think DAL will hire first, possibly this fall or next spring depending on the Network and if bus. travel continues its swing? Good Luck, JP

 

[densoo]

I was hired by both (CAL in late 2000, Delta in early 2000) though I was thrown in CAL's pool before I even interviewed at Delta, but DAL gave me a class date a year sooner so I took it.

I would be a 737 CA at CAL....

Not anymore, by about two years.

 

[NuGuy]

Heyas,

Yup. Might as well flip a coin, because chances are that a few years down the road, things will be completely different. And the chances are the airline you work for won't be the same one that hired you.

When I was at PDT, USAir was no place great, and they had guys out on furlough for almost 7 years. BUT, they had been the 800 lb gorilla in the late 80's, with one of the best contracts around.

In 99, guys STILL went there when they started hiring.

Braniff in the late 70's was the place to be. I understand they even had a "sort of" PFT deal to get your FE certificate, the same way SWA is now.

At some point, every airline is the "flavor of the month". At some point, every one also has their turn in the barrel.

I got a bud of mine who has 10 uniforms in his closet, including Braniff and Eastern. The DAL uniform is the 11th. Fortunately, he was one of the few winners in the SLI lottery, and wound up with better than DOH, and can now drive to work.

Karma has a way of balancing.

Nu

 

[bizicmo]

In a perfect world this wouldn't be a question. Both jobs would be perfect in every way and thus totally equal so no comparison could be made.

 

[densoo]

Karma has a way of balancing.

Lorenzo's first act was to furlough Der B. Karma, and he's not being recalled.