ALASKA in base vs UNITED commuting
02-22-2018, 11:06 AM
#11
Line Holder
Joined APC: Feb 2010
Posts: 48
I am a huge advocate of living in base. If you absolutely have to live in the PNW, then Delta pays the best with the best variety of flying. Will they always have a presence in Seattle? Likely but who knows. United used to be huge up there. Will Alaska? Definitely. If Alaska is no longer in Seattle then Alaska has closed the doors or been bought out.
Every time I fly from SFO-SEA or vice versa I have at least one jump seater. Usually they are very senior. It's a doable commute but you are wasting so many hours of your life. I don't have the commuter mentality. I want to get in my car and drive home, which is why I moved to a base. That being said, your potential earnings commuting for UAL will hands down beat Alaska. I have friends at Alaska and morale is in the toilet there. Most newbies are leaving for the big 3 the second they get the call. I guess my advice would be to suck it up and commute for UAL. Best of luck with your decision!
Every time I fly from SFO-SEA or vice versa I have at least one jump seater. Usually they are very senior. It's a doable commute but you are wasting so many hours of your life. I don't have the commuter mentality. I want to get in my car and drive home, which is why I moved to a base. That being said, your potential earnings commuting for UAL will hands down beat Alaska. I have friends at Alaska and morale is in the toilet there. Most newbies are leaving for the big 3 the second they get the call. I guess my advice would be to suck it up and commute for UAL. Best of luck with your decision!
02-22-2018, 11:08 AM
#12
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2007
Position: 767/757 CA
Posts: 2,701
ALASKA living in Seattle VS UNITED SFO based living in Seattle
This is “hypothetical” of course….I’m trying to get some input on which of these course of actions you guys and gals would suggest and why. I have about 25 years left to fly and plan on staying in Seattle.
-Both are great gigs. Most people emphasize living in base over all other aspects.
-There are about 25 flights a day between SEA and SFO.
-Currently no scope protection at Alaska.
-Wide body opportunities at UAL.
-Future mergers possible at Alaska could have an impact.
-Work rules differences?
-Upgrade time likely to be similar ~6 years?
-Proportionally, it looks like more retirements at UAL in the coming years vs more growth at Alaska (trying to go from 2900 pilots to 4000 in 3 years).
-UAL pays more but you could potentially make up for that living in base with Alaska.
I’m not trying to turn this into a ****ing match. Just looking for input between living in base with Alaska vs commuting to San Fran with UAL from Seattle. Thank you in advance.
This is “hypothetical” of course….I’m trying to get some input on which of these course of actions you guys and gals would suggest and why. I have about 25 years left to fly and plan on staying in Seattle.
-Both are great gigs. Most people emphasize living in base over all other aspects.
-There are about 25 flights a day between SEA and SFO.
-Currently no scope protection at Alaska.
-Wide body opportunities at UAL.
-Future mergers possible at Alaska could have an impact.
-Work rules differences?
-Upgrade time likely to be similar ~6 years?
-Proportionally, it looks like more retirements at UAL in the coming years vs more growth at Alaska (trying to go from 2900 pilots to 4000 in 3 years).
-UAL pays more but you could potentially make up for that living in base with Alaska.
I’m not trying to turn this into a ****ing match. Just looking for input between living in base with Alaska vs commuting to San Fran with UAL from Seattle. Thank you in advance.
02-22-2018, 02:43 PM
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2010
Position: EWR 777 Captain
Posts: 1,715
ALASKA living in Seattle VS UNITED SFO based living in Seattle
This is “hypothetical” of course….I’m trying to get some input on which of these course of actions you guys and gals would suggest and why. I have about 25 years left to fly and plan on staying in Seattle.
-Both are great gigs. Most people emphasize living in base over all other aspects.
-There are about 25 flights a day between SEA and SFO.
-Currently no scope protection at Alaska.
-Wide body opportunities at UAL.
-Future mergers possible at Alaska could have an impact.
-Work rules differences?
-Upgrade time likely to be similar ~6 years?
-Proportionally, it looks like more retirements at UAL in the coming years vs more growth at Alaska (trying to go from 2900 pilots to 4000 in 3 years).
-UAL pays more but you could potentially make up for that living in base with Alaska.
I’m not trying to turn this into a ****ing match. Just looking for input between living in base with Alaska vs commuting to San Fran with UAL from Seattle. Thank you in advance.
This is “hypothetical” of course….I’m trying to get some input on which of these course of actions you guys and gals would suggest and why. I have about 25 years left to fly and plan on staying in Seattle.
-Both are great gigs. Most people emphasize living in base over all other aspects.
-There are about 25 flights a day between SEA and SFO.
-Currently no scope protection at Alaska.
-Wide body opportunities at UAL.
-Future mergers possible at Alaska could have an impact.
-Work rules differences?
-Upgrade time likely to be similar ~6 years?
-Proportionally, it looks like more retirements at UAL in the coming years vs more growth at Alaska (trying to go from 2900 pilots to 4000 in 3 years).
-UAL pays more but you could potentially make up for that living in base with Alaska.
I’m not trying to turn this into a ****ing match. Just looking for input between living in base with Alaska vs commuting to San Fran with UAL from Seattle. Thank you in advance.
UAL has announced they are growing 4-6% for the foreseeable future and targeting companies like Alaska. The industry has consolidated into 3 behemoths and further consolidation both domestically and globally is highly likely. Furthermore anyone in this industry will tell you choosing a carrier because of a "base" is a fools game because companies change, downsize, and rightsize hubs and "bases" as easily as you and I change our underwear, and that says nothing about the present value of a 30 year career at each of the carriers. The sooner you can get on a major seniority list the better. In my mind this is a ridiculous question.
02-22-2018, 03:01 PM
#19
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2007
Position: A320 Captain
Posts: 1,982
I don't mean to be the jerk here . . . but you are kidding right?
UAL has announced they are growing 4-6% for the foreseeable future and targeting companies like Alaska. The industry has consolidated into 3 behemoths and further consolidation both domestically and globally is highly likely. Furthermore anyone in this industry will tell you choosing a carrier because of a "base" is a fools game because companies change, downsize, and rightsize hubs and "bases" as easily as you and I change our underwear, and that says nothing about the present value of a 30 year career at each of the carriers. The sooner you can get on a major seniority list the better. In my mind this is a ridiculous question.
UAL has announced they are growing 4-6% for the foreseeable future and targeting companies like Alaska. The industry has consolidated into 3 behemoths and further consolidation both domestically and globally is highly likely. Furthermore anyone in this industry will tell you choosing a carrier because of a "base" is a fools game because companies change, downsize, and rightsize hubs and "bases" as easily as you and I change our underwear, and that says nothing about the present value of a 30 year career at each of the carriers. The sooner you can get on a major seniority list the better. In my mind this is a ridiculous question.
02-22-2018, 03:39 PM
#20
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: It's still a Guppy, just a bit longer.
Posts: 727
I don't know what your situation is at home (spouse with great job?), but if I were in your shoes, I'd do the United interview. If you get hired, suck up the short term pain and move to a base.
That's what I did. Moving was the best damn decision I made.
That's what I did. Moving was the best damn decision I made.
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