Stay and the new UAL or go to SWA?

[HHH]

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

 

[Tweaker]

I'd go to SWA if for no other reason than to dodge a career swinging gear for all the "must rides" at YoNITED. They are likely your age or younger, and are never going to leave the seniority list before you do.

I have others, but you di'ent axe.

 

[4 Fan Trashcan]

Are you flying international?

 

[scoreboardII]

Stay with the bird in hand dude, really. The grass is always greener on the other side, but it's really just painted.

 

[Skyflyin]

Sounds like he has two birds in the hand. Take the one with the base you would want to live in and the figure out if you want to travel the world with lots of red eyes or just North America with no red eyes.

 

[GuppyWN]

I'd look at the the retirements, the bases and whether you think you guys can take back some RJ flying. If you can then there may be HUGE opportunities for growth.

That being said I do think there will be a large potential for SWA to grow after we get this behind us.

Gup

 

[Yuppyguppy]

with about 500-700 retirements a year at the new UAL ....you might want to think twice.

 

[redflyer65]

I think Gup has it right.

I think the potential for growth at SW is pretty huge. Just a matter of time before we go full international. Pay and benefits would probably be better for the life of your career at SW. But you have to factor in QOL as well.

 

[TZtoSWA]

stay at United

 

[Taco Rocket]

I'd look at the the retirements, the bases and whether you think you guys can take back some RJ flying. If you can then there may be HUGE opportunities for growth.

That being said I do think there will be a large potential for SWA to grow after we get this behind us.

Gup

Why do you believe this, given the recent history? When given the chance for organic growth SWA declined in favor of an acquisition.

 

[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.