What would you do?

[super80steve]

Stay at charter airline flying captain, making $140K, or take a paycut of $35k and take the recall to AA? I should be able to live at my base.

 

[miles otoole]

What protections do you have? IOW, what if the charter company closes up shop next week or they lose business or some new manager comes around who doesn't like you and decides you need to go bye, bye?
Ask yourself-which company and position will most likely be around in 20 years?

 

[Fubijaakr]

Well, the question is how old are you? How stable is your charter company? AA could be the next ship on the rocks of the airline industry. How senior are you at your charter company? Do you work for one of the premier companies like NAA or a fly by nighter?

All are factors.

 

[GogglesPisano]

It's been my experience that the worst day at a legacy beats the best day at a supplemental by a mile. YMMV.

 

[macdu]

Defer. Defer. Defer. Defer. Defer. You have 3 years to think about it right.

 

[Dumb Pilot]

Not basing your decision on the opinions you get on FI for starters, Why don't you do the sensible thing and ask your better half what she thinks? she will be the one directly affected by the loss of income.

 

[Chairman]

Hold out, defer start banking some money and write your reps to make sure that longevity pay is included for furloughed pilots.

 

[Cruncher]

Look at retirement data too. Which I am sure you have, but AA is on the cusp of huge forced retirement numbers. They will either have to start hiring again (the next big wave) or will fold.

It's a tough choice you have, but defer until you can't, that's what I would probably do. Though, I don't know your specifics (age, strength of charter outfit, ...).

Good luck

 

[Lake Alice]

There is no future in charter. This my friend is a no brainer. I have done both, I know.

 

[Jiminmem]

I'd probably defer to make sure that continued recalls that people are assuming, actually happened. Then again you are asking for advice from complete strangers, so think carefully about taking any advice you hear on this site