UA vs AA living in DC
10-08-2023, 12:04 AM
#1
New Hire
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Joined APC: Oct 2023
Posts: 9
UA vs AA living in DC
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.
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.
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, 08:25 AM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2015
Position: Gear slinger
Posts: 2,961
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.
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.
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, 08:42 AM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2018
Posts: 162
AA has better reserve rules and United uses their bus for 3-4 leg/day RJ flying. That will change as the 321s come online and replace the 757 flying, which will subject it to global reserve rules allowing for only 6 hard days off per month. If you want want easy bus flying, and sleeping in your bed and not a relief seat, AA may be the place for you.
10-08-2023, 08:44 AM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2007
Position: 767/757 CA
Posts: 2,701
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.
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.
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, 08:56 AM
#5
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Oct 2023
Posts: 9
10-08-2023, 09:49 AM
#6
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2018
Posts: 2,501
United has a much bigger footprint in the DC area. NB as a local can be super easy and probably better on reserve than being a junior lineholder. The bus isn’t like what Otterbox said above. The difference between it and the 737 in terms of trips out of DC is negligible in terms of trip construction. The 737 actually has more 4 leg days than the Airbus, but on both fleets they are pretty rare.
10-08-2023, 12:43 PM
#7
Line Holder
Joined APC: Dec 2021
Posts: 97
I ran into an AA buddy last winter and he took his first available upgrade at 21 years and UA has unfilled CA vacancies in DC every bid. I've heard AA has had their upgrade times come wayyyyy down but I don't think they have 1 year CAs in DC or will anytime soon like UA does. While WB fying isn't on your priority list, you will have the option at UA but would never have that option with AA. UA is the clear winner IMO
10-08-2023, 01:07 PM
#8
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2015
Position: 777FO
Posts: 770
That location by itself is a pretty good reason to lean AA. Is DCA senior at AA? I’d imagine so. However, IAD is primed for significant growth so seniority progression with UAL should be excellent. See below -
IAD is going to see quite a bit of growth in the near to medium term as deliveries ramp up and the new gates are built over the train stop in nowhere. It also has plenty of growth potential just by adding banks (only three daily banks and 200+ departures right now). DEN and IAH can also grow but are already above 400 departures, so not as much. Our other hubs are much more constrained. EWR is obviously choking, so if the company wants to add significant connectivity on the East coast it will be in IAD. Good place to be based the next few years if you live there.
10-08-2023, 01:07 PM
#9
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2015
Position: Gear slinger
Posts: 2,961
10-08-2023, 01:48 PM
#10
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2018
Posts: 162
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