UA vs AA living in DC
10-08-2023, 05:10 AM
#11
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2014
Posts: 797
Hi folks,
Got my CJOs from both and on the verge of deciding now which would give me the better quality of life.
Just turned 52, no kids, just me and my wife.
Retirement numbers seem to favor American in the long term, but UA has many more wide-body planes coming online soon.
United has much younger pilot community, so not sure how my advanced age would fit into that group. At AA I would still feel on the young side I guess.
I really want to optimize my time at work and maximize my days off.
I don't mind which aircraft I am going to fly, but long term the bus is easier on the body, just more comfortable work environment.
Not really keen on jumping on the WB fleet any time soon, been doing that for the last couple of years and want to be in bed at night, not the bunk.
I want to stay in DC, not planning to move anywhere before I retire.
What do you think?
Got my CJOs from both and on the verge of deciding now which would give me the better quality of life.
Just turned 52, no kids, just me and my wife.
Retirement numbers seem to favor American in the long term, but UA has many more wide-body planes coming online soon.
United has much younger pilot community, so not sure how my advanced age would fit into that group. At AA I would still feel on the young side I guess.
I really want to optimize my time at work and maximize my days off.
I don't mind which aircraft I am going to fly, but long term the bus is easier on the body, just more comfortable work environment.
Not really keen on jumping on the WB fleet any time soon, been doing that for the last couple of years and want to be in bed at night, not the bunk.
I want to stay in DC, not planning to move anywhere before I retire.
What do you think?
10-08-2023, 06:15 AM
#12
New Hire
Joined APC: Aug 2017
Position: CA
Posts: 2
Hi folks,
Got my CJOs from both and on the verge of deciding now which would give me the better quality of life.
Just turned 52, no kids, just me and my wife.
Retirement numbers seem to favor American in the long term, but UA has many more wide-body planes coming online soon.
United has much younger pilot community, so not sure how my advanced age would fit into that group. At AA I would still feel on the young side I guess.
I really want to optimize my time at work and maximize my days off.
I don't mind which aircraft I am going to fly, but long term the bus is easier on the body, just more comfortable work environment.
Not really keen on jumping on the WB fleet any time soon, been doing that for the last couple of years and want to be in bed at night, not the bunk.
I want to stay in DC, not planning to move anywhere before I retire.
What do you think?
Got my CJOs from both and on the verge of deciding now which would give me the better quality of life.
Just turned 52, no kids, just me and my wife.
Retirement numbers seem to favor American in the long term, but UA has many more wide-body planes coming online soon.
United has much younger pilot community, so not sure how my advanced age would fit into that group. At AA I would still feel on the young side I guess.
I really want to optimize my time at work and maximize my days off.
I don't mind which aircraft I am going to fly, but long term the bus is easier on the body, just more comfortable work environment.
Not really keen on jumping on the WB fleet any time soon, been doing that for the last couple of years and want to be in bed at night, not the bunk.
I want to stay in DC, not planning to move anywhere before I retire.
What do you think?
10-08-2023, 06:21 AM
#13
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jun 2006
Posts: 76
One thing I would like to add about DCA and AA is that, if you ever get the wide body itch again, PHL is only about a 2.5 hour drive depending on where you live around DC. The 787 PHL is definitely doable sitting Long Call or even Short Call Reserve from DC.
That being said, I have been at American and based at DCA for over a year now, no regrets whatsoever.
That being said, I have been at American and based at DCA for over a year now, no regrets whatsoever.
10-08-2023, 06:28 AM
#14
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Oct 2023
Posts: 9
10-08-2023, 06:32 AM
#15
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Oct 2023
Posts: 9
Thank you, how long can one expect to wait for the 787 FO in PHL in today's environment?
One thing I would like to add about DCA and AA is that, if you ever get the wide body itch again, PHL is only about a 2.5 hour drive depending on where you live around DC. The 787 PHL is definitely doable sitting Long Call or even Short Call Reserve from DC.
That being said, I have been at American and based at DCA for over a year now, no regrets whatsoever.
That being said, I have been at American and based at DCA for over a year now, no regrets whatsoever.
10-08-2023, 07:21 AM
#16
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jun 2006
Posts: 76
The junior FO on the latest bid was hired 3/2020. That's 3.5 years which includes the Covid pause in hiring but of course a lot can affect the timing, Age 67, the new 787 deliveries and where they go, the effect if any of the ending Northeast Alliance on JFK and PHL The new contract and if that has any influence on how pilots bid etc.
Last edited by motojet; 10-08-2023 at 07:22 AM. Reason: Grammer
10-08-2023, 07:23 AM
#17
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jan 2022
Posts: 44
Where would you rather drive to work every day, DCA or Dulles? That's how I'd make the decision honestly without knowing or diving into what United IAD trips/seniority progression is like... Traffic around here is enough to weigh in on the decision.
**With the caveat that if you can drive to Philly somewhat easily you've got the WB option as well.
10-08-2023, 09:07 AM
#18
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Oct 2023
Posts: 9
DCA is next door from me, I'm in Alexandria, VA.
Thanks
Thanks
It's still pretty dynamic but a guess off the top of my head is about 2.5 years (it briefly got more senior) but WB in general has slowly been coming down as you'd expect.
Where would you rather drive to work every day, DCA or Dulles? That's how I'd make the decision honestly without knowing or diving into what United IAD trips/seniority progression is like... Traffic around here is enough to weigh in on the decision.
**With the caveat that if you can drive to Philly somewhat easily you've got the WB option as well.
Where would you rather drive to work every day, DCA or Dulles? That's how I'd make the decision honestly without knowing or diving into what United IAD trips/seniority progression is like... Traffic around here is enough to weigh in on the decision.
**With the caveat that if you can drive to Philly somewhat easily you've got the WB option as well.
10-08-2023, 09:23 AM
#20
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jun 2006
Posts: 76
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
