Stay and the new UAL or go to SWA?

[bizicmo]

go, you will always be asking yourself why didn't i go. You don't sound like you will be saying," why did i leave ual all those years ago."

 

[contrail67]

Make sure you have a 737 type if you go to SWA...would not want to have to pay for it to get hired...might want to get a 717 type while you are at it..just to make sure you have all the possible types at SWA

 

[yoyoma]

stay at united. we dont want you. sw isnt the model airline all thes f.gs will make you believe.

 

[contrail67]

If given a chance would you stay and Continetal (90% seniority) or go to SWA as a new hire?

Don't under estimate the potential that will most likely be realized at United....

 

[filejw]

Hi, one pilot in ten makes out by changing airlines, at least that's my experience and I started in 1979. Good luck.. JW

 

[Whydoitry]

I had a UA jumseater, junior 757 CA who had left CAL when UAL was the place to be, said he would have been better off staying. you just never know.

 

[JUNK YARD DOG]

Hi, one pilot in ten makes out by changing airlines, at least that's my experience and I started in 1979. Good luck.. JW

This is good advice... I left a pretty good job to come to CAL... Now I believe I'm totally F**ked..

 

[tomgoodman]

Furlough insurance

If given a chance would you stay and Continetal (90% seniority) or go to SWA as a new hire?

Furloughs can happen anywhere. If you just got out of the bottom 10%, it would be risky to jump back in, even at SWA. I suggest you stay.

 

[IAHERJ]

I left AirTran in 2005. I would be on 8th year captain pay at AirTran had I stayed. Watching this merger with SWA and Airtran is interesting but I have to say I'm happy where I am. I only have 1,000 guys below me at CAL right now. Who knows where I'll end up with the SLI but one thing I do know. We will have steady retirements for the next decade as well as varied equipment choices and bases as a combined airline. It will never get boring. As far as the pay goes, one can only hope that we will be a leader once again in that area going forward followed by AA who will leapfrog us and Delta who will leapfrog them as the cycle continues. In 5 years, American will start hiring again big time. It will be interesting to see who will want to work for SWA in a few years.

I remember being a junior regional captain in the late 90's. I was flying an EMB-120 for COEX. We were wholly owned and had a flow through agreement with Continental so there was no chance at applying and getting an interview. The first airline I sent an application to was American. The fee was $100.00 and was non-refundable. My second application went to United(also had an application fee) followed by Delta and Northwest, in that order. I updated every 6 months religiously for 2 years. Like so many other guys I knew, SWA was a back-up in case we never got picked up by a major airline. I never applied although I had the paper application form. Then came the events of September 11, 2001 and the rest is history. A quick 2 years and 8 months at AAI and CAL started hiring. I gave it a shot and it worked out. Missed 737 CA by a few months seniority back in 2008 then the recession came along. I can hold the right seat on everything but the mystical aircraft that has not been delivered(787). If we don't get a big pay boost on this next contract I will be down earnings wise vs. where I'd be had I stayed at AirTran. If it is all about dollars and cents, SWA might be your best bet at this point in time. I just think the airline industry will look a lot different in 5 years than it does today. Heck it looks a lot different today then 3 years ago! I'd stay right here at CAL/UAL if I were you. That's just me. I like the varied flying the 757/767 allows me to do. Just got back from Buenos Aires last week. Heck of a layover. Decided to spend time at home this month so I bid reserve and will probably go the entire month without spending a night away. I like flying around the holidays so I'll bid a line in December with mostly domestic 757-300 flying. You get the point. Make a decision based on your career goals and what is best for your family(if you have one). Either way, you are in a better position than many.

 

[Fubijaakr]

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.