ScrandyBob

Hey guys, huge thread revival I know but the Delta v American thread just seems like a huge peeing match and I'm not trying to argue over which airline is better managed, financials, days off, blah blah blah. Just looking for advice since this came up when I googled my question.

Currently at AA coming up on 1.5 year seniority, 30 years old, but spitballing the idea of going to Delta. The decision mainly comes from wanting to live on the west coast/inter-western mountain region since I have family ties spread throughout the region in SLC, SAN, SEA, and BOI. I have a big spread out family and then there's me at AA currently living in DFW... and as you all know, two of those cities are Delta bases.

I have enjoyed my time here at AA despite the contrary popular complaints on here, as well as other internet outhouses, and I definitely would love to stay. But I struggle here with the strength of the PHX & LAX bases in comparison to OAL and the lack of decently strong western presence/push at AA that aligns with my long-term goals (although the recent 737 addition to PHX made me smile).

It's a helluva lot of seniority and job security to give up but as myself, my folks and my siblings get older, I'm realizing that I need to be a lot closer and not missing so many family gatherings. With the added selfish perk that I enjoy the outdoors that the western region provides, but being able to drive to see family is huge. Not too feasible from the massive state of Texas.

TL;DR: I guess what I'm really asking is, is the cratering of seniority to get DL in SLC/SEA worth it for the less than ideal, but keeping the holy seniority at AA, PHX move? WWJD?

PS: Yes, I realize I'm dumb and asking the internet for major life/career advice but this is cheaper than a therapist/counselor Wink

cornerpocket

Just do it.

ClncClarence

Not commuting takes priority over ANY OTHER consideration.

If you’re going to move to a DAL base (and/or if you are senior to me at AA) then go to DAL.

IlliniPilot99

agreed...living in base is the King of QOL...when it comes to the big 3(4), it's all a wash when you live in base.

FTR...I had Delta and United in my indoc class 2 years ago, for this exact reason.

Russell Case

I don’t think you can go wrong, but I would caution as a 30yo you may have an expectation concerning the ease of getting CJOs in the current market that is not commensurate with “how it seems to be” right now. 18-24 months ago they couldn’t call you fast enough. This does not seem to be the current case. Best of luck in your decision. If you were me, I’d either A.) move where you want and tan in the luxury of seniority in hand and accept commuting, B.) be an adult and realize like most that don’t do A that sometimes you gotta move for work and that’s life, then C.) go to Big D. I don’t know that I could even give up 6 months of seniority at an airline, let alone 18 months; IMHO you’ve bought the farm and I’d just commute.

170Till5

I would just get on WB at AA and commute to it from wherever you want to live.

Beech Dude

You're not going to get right in if you want to go to DAL. There are hundreds waiting for dates since the slowdown. They've hired lots of <30 yr olds in the last 5 yrs. I'm sure you'll do the widget thing to plan, but I'd bet your seniority at big D won't come close to how you'll do with the fAAmily.

Thousands below you and uncertain times ahead; at least the next 1 to 3 I'd say. I wouldn't want to be going back to the bottom. If I was you, I'd GTHO of TX. PHX and LAX aren't going anywhere. I'd bid PHX/73 since it's probably going to be juniorish and drive to work/enjoy a good bid status. Easier to get to the fam from AZ and you're more in the western playground. Good luck, but honestly I'd stay and just get out of DFW man.

Extenda

Yeah the idea of leaving a legacy seniority list,(especially AA which is going to have the best seniority movement by far) right now is a bad idea. It would have been a questionable idea 2-3 years ago. I talked a couple squadron buddies down from coming to Delta and that was when we were all hiring 2000 a year.

it would just be an incredibly risky move and will, at this point, cost you millions of dollars over the course of your career.

just get senior, move to a western base, bid WB, but whatever you do, stay put.

ScrandyBob

Thanks for the replies guys. I appreciate not getting flamed to h377.

Good points about not getting in quick or even getting called by Delta with the way things are. I did play with the Widget calculator and it looks like if I were hired by March of next year (no idea if that's even reasonable but I set it for a while out) I'd retire around 1500-2000ish at DL, as opposed to under 200 at AA. That's nothing to sneeze at, which is why I am more leaning towards staying. My concerns about PHX/LAX may be unwarranted, but SLC is pretty central and very driveable to everyone (important family anyway &#128521.

Other good points being, my idea long term was to bid WB LAX and commute from PHX since I have the long haul itch. Although it's a popular commuter route seems like there's tons of options and the commute wouldn't suck too bad. I've commuted at regional, major, and even a few months here at AA initially and can confirm, commuting is still commuting and sucks regardless. Same I guess could be said about a commute between SEA/SLC, although years down the road when able to hold WB at DL, I would probably move there.

Anyway, right now I have been loving living in base at DFW, the amount of flexibility that gives is amazing. But like I said, driving to work AND being able to drive to family is huge.

Werjower

Very risky indeed, the amount of years holding WB CA at the end of his career at AA vs DL is most certainly in the millions if that is their goal. Idk if profit sharing can cover that gap over the years, assuming the industry stays with DL profit leading the pack for the next 35 years.

Commuting blows however, and most of our WB at AA is DFW and east which takes them further away from family.

Tough choice. Just remember that no matter where you go, there you are.