Been there, done that.
Hey Nappy,
I left the excellent paying Gulfstream job for a MAJOR a while back, back when it did not look like the sky was falling for the industry. I really enjoyed the summer of love, contract negotiations, US Air aquisition talks, Avolar Fiasco, 9/11, bankruptcy threat/realization, and finally a furlough. That aside, I did enjoy the schedule, flying a 737, pay, benefits, and career potential. Unfortunately, that has all changed and the big question is not when will I get recalled, it is if ??? UAL's plans will have far reaching affects on the rest of the industry as well as this possible war, lest we forget the miserable economy. There has been some good advice given here, as they have said, a bird in the hand ! Heavy corporate equipment pays pretty nicely and when you make captain it will be really nice. Especially if it is in the top 10% ! That is not to say that once this mess recovers that you cannot start over again at an airline. I would have had 24 years at UAL so I too was willing to take that huge pay cut. I had a 5 year plan to catch up and recover from the early years at the airline. Now with my furlough and renewed corporate career, it will be quite a bit longer. I am very grateful to have a flying job ! Don't think that other airlines are not watching what UAL and US Air are going through, I truely beleive that all of the great benies and great pay are going to be things of the past. There are a few success stories out there with SWA and JBLU however there is still some uncertainty. Then again, no job has an absolute gaurantee.
This is only my experience so don't take this as a big slam to an airline career, I truely wished it would have worked out. I am still reading posts on this board as a result of my continued interest in UAL and hoping for a glimmer of good news from time to time.
So, good luck with your decision. Make the best of whatever you decide !
PS. I too made the move to another city, fortunately, we are really happy and our previous home is still home to us, always will be but we are really having fun here ! Once you settle in and make some friends, a person could be happy almost anywhere ! Even Detriot, well, maybe not. I would not do that to my family ! Also, a little distance from the inlaws is nice !
