Delta Interview Invites are going out!!

[klr1395]

My wife received one yesterday. She's stoked, I would imagine its in one of the first groups they sent out! Has a class date at US on 10/14 in case it doesn't go well. Progression won't be as fast at DL but IMHO DL offers a lot more stability. Any thoughts from those at either carrier? Please, I respectfully request not to turn this into a mine is bigger than yours flame thread. We are honestly looking for constructive input from all angles.

 

[bafanguy]

If I may ask, from what general av category is your wife coming, regional captain, corp, frax, military, etc ?

 

[goahead]

How many days till her interview??

 

[klr1395]

My wife is in the USMC reserves flying the KC-130 currently, so military background. She has been flying or drilling about 6-8 days per month (we have young kids) so not a ton but enough to stay current. I think she is at a little over 3,000 hrs total time with it all being turbine. She has roughly 2,000 turbine PIC with the vast majority of it in the T-34 (single engine) as an instructor from back in her active duty days. She will turn 40 in May. She has to call Monday morning to schedule the interview so we aren't sure on that yet.

 

[bafanguy]

Thanks for the info. Best of luck to your wife !

 

[goahead]

Thanks and good luck to her, I would go with DAL if offered a position.

 

[johnnyb]

The 3 guys from my class in flight school who've had the most successful careers were total screw ups. DUI's (plural) assault convictions from a bar brawl, running an aircraft into a parked jetway etc ( and I DO mean etc).

We felt sorry for them going to airlines X, Y and Z while we all paraded off the the 'hot' big 3.

Don't feel sorry for them anymore post 9/11.

Hope for the best, plan for the worst. The airline you hire onto today will, most certainly, NOT resemble the one you retire from.

This is not the answer you'd hoped for - but it is the truth.

Best of luck to you both.

 

[klr1395]

johnnyB- some very wise words. I have made my bed, and despite all of its glaring faults coming to light in recent years I will lie in it. It is precisely your words that make us not so quick to write off the USAir option. This profession has a funny way of rewarding those who take a risk with their careers for the current non-trendy pick because it is so darn cyclical. Look at all the folks who risked it and went to SWA in the 80's and early 90's? Huge financial rewards for them (millions in profit sharing accounts and stock options alone). I would imagine that US is the much less trendy pick but they do have some upside, especially with the higher percentage of retirements that are happening now. I am told they are upgrading new hires to E-190 CA in less than two years... At this point my gut says DL but there is enough there to make us give it serious thought. We are blessed to be in this situation where she can potentially take the risk on that non-trendy pick and have not lost sight of that but we always humbly seek wise counsel to try and make the best decisions. We know we aren't necessarily the smartest folks out there ��

 

[SWA Bubba]

johnnyB- some very wise words. I have made my bed, and despite all of its glaring faults coming to light in recent years I will lie in it. It is precisely your words that make us not so quick to write off the USAir option. This profession has a funny way of rewarding those who take a risk with their careers for the current non-trendy pick because it is so darn cyclical. Look at all the folks who risked it and went to SWA in the 80's and early 90's? Huge financial rewards for them (millions in profit sharing accounts and stock options alone). I would imagine that US is the much less trendy pick but they do have some upside, especially with the higher percentage of retirements that are happening now. I am told they are upgrading new hires to E-190 CA in less than two years... At this point my gut says DL but there is enough there to make us give it serious thought. We are blessed to be in this situation where she can potentially take the risk on that non-trendy pick and have not lost sight of that but we always humbly seek wise counsel to try and make the best decisions. We know we aren't necessarily the smartest folks out there ��

Here's something to keep in mind-- if your wife ends up working for Delta, while you work for Southwest, AND you manage to maintain a good marriage.... General Lee's head might just explode.

Not sure if that would be a good thing or a bad thing.... Jes' sayin'!

Bubba

P.S. Good luck to her!

 

[Saluki Dawg]

Go to Delta if given the choice. Tremendous upside potential over the next decade over there. Those guys are firing on all cylinders and their Management is leaps and bounds better at running an Airline than any of the other Legacies. I would leave SWA for Delta if I was 5 years younger and lower on the SL, but I just can't make the math work in my favor if I bailed at this point. So, I guess I'm gonna have to ride this one in and hope the other engine doesn't flameout just short of the runway. I would tell your wife to still take the class date at US though until she is officially offered a job at Delta. Good luck to both of you. It's always nice to have choices in this industry.

 

[klr1395]

I would do the same if not for the pesky math! I am riding it in with you from lower on the SL... Good luck to us all! I agree DL has tons of upside, and talk about getting in on the beginning of a hiring cycle too!!

 

[Dan Roman]

Seems like DAL would be the better choice, but realistically both airlines are here to stay and she will fly up the seniority list at either one due to retirements alone. But I think she would experience a lot less labor/management grief at DAL.

 

[AeroDMB]

My wife received one yesterday. She's stoked, I would imagine its in one of the first groups they sent out! Has a class date at US on 10/14 in case it doesn't go well. Progression won't be as fast at DL but IMHO DL offers a lot more stability. Any thoughts from those at either carrier? Please, I respectfully request not to turn this into a mine is bigger than yours flame thread. We are honestly looking for constructive input from all angles.

The combined US/AA seniority movement (assuming merger passes) will trump Delta movement in my opinion. Others will most likely disagree.

 

[cbrown1]

The combined US/AA seniority movement (assuming merger passes) will trump Delta movement in my opinion. Others will most likely disagree.

I agree, however that's not a sure thing of happening at this point. If I had to choose between delta and us airways at this moment I would choose delta.

 

[AeroDMB]

I agree, however that's not a sure thing of happening at this point. If I had to choose between delta and us airways at this moment I would choose delta.

Agreed, hence the assumption note. Delta is run very well today.

 

[skywiz]

That's not a bad position to be in if she gets a choice. While DAL is a well run company she will make Capt quicker at AA/US. This will mean more $ in the long run at AA if that's important. She will also be on reserve a shorter time at US. Tough decision. Ultimately the best way to decide may be based on where you live and which base would be the easiest commute.

 

[swaforme]

With two of you at different airlines with the potential to be based in the same city, ATL. That will make a huge difference in your quality of life.

 

[Tanker Clown]

Thinking about putting my stuff in. Coming up on retirement soon. I wish they paid better...but I figure I can just kill time and stay current until something better comes along.

Do any of you guys know where I'll be based after training?

At least you don't have to pay union dues at Delta.

 

[klr1395]

We live in MCO (where I am based) from mid October until Memorial Day. We spend our summers in NH. There aren't many MCO-ATL commuters are there??? (Sarcasm) ATL would work as would NYC at DL for commuting from both places. I am reticent to give up my MCO spot at this point and move to GA where there is an income tax and other economic disadvantages but nothing's off the table in the long run for our QOL. Thanks for all the input!

 

[bafanguy]

At least you don't have to pay union dues at Delta.

You're just kinda kiddin', right ? :laugh: