jtrain609
Antisocial Monster
Are you talking about SFO or LAX? Southwest doesn't go to SFO from SLC. The LAX commute is worlds easier, but it's also a more senior base.
Leave UAL for FDX?
- Thread starter MtnFlyer00
- Start date
Are you talking about SFO or LAX? Southwest doesn't go to SFO from SLC. The LAX commute is worlds easier, but it's also a more senior base.
MtnFlyer00
Well-Known Member
One of the things that is interesting about UAL/FDX is that at UAL we can reserve the JS, but it's based off seniority. If I'm strapped in, ready to go, and 5 min prior a senior guy comes up, he can take it. Everyone else is served come, first served if memory serves. FDX on the other hand let's you reserve the JS (all 4-8 of them) 3 weeks in advance. Essentially removing an stressors that come with commuting. Thank goodness for SWA and Alaska currently.
The extra hour or so flight time to MEM in the back of a FDX plane would be worth it in that case.
The extra hour or so flight time to MEM in the back of a FDX plane would be worth it in that case.
GypsyPilot
Mohawk Town
Yes, LAX. He's been on property for almost a year, I would imagine he's able to hold LAX soon and will also get DEN soon. I have a friend at FDX that has been there for a couple years and is still commuting to reserve in MEM from DEN.
There are no doubt a lot of variables at play here, but as far as commuting goes, I don't see how it's going to be easier going to FedEx when the OP is already near a plethora of UAL bases.
MtnFlyer00
Well-Known Member
UAL is fantastic, don't get me wrong. I'm completely and utterly grateful to be here. But this opportunity popped up and the decision to stay or go could affect me for decades.
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ozziecat35
4 out of 5 great lakes prefer Michigan.
Grass is always greener I guess. Whatever tickles your jimmies and keeps them from getting rustled.
Thanks.
ian
Well-Known Member
absolutely...as others have said, the pension, higher pay, and stability make it worth it. The backside of the clock argument is only valid if you want to spend your entire career flying domestic...almost all international flying requires backside flying on one leg.
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F
Flying Saluki
Guest
Boxes don't b1tch, but they also don't sleep. And neither will you until you have a lot of seniority. To me that's the only CON that matters. The rest is stuff no one can possibly predict so, if it were me, I wouldn't even include it in the calculus.
GypsyPilot
Mohawk Town
I honestly think we're being trolled here. New user, 28, at United, but gee maybe I should leave for FedEx? Just seems bizarre.
ClarkGriswold
Non Nutritive Cereal Varnish Engineer
No it doesn't. You're just being sensitive.
Hacker15e
Who am I? Where are my pants?
I guess it is time for me to "come out" as a FX newhire.
I don't know what airplane your friend is on, but I was hired in spring '16 into the right seat of the A300, and I had two months of custom lines (scheduling screwed up, I benefited) and one month of reserve. I've been holding a secondary line (which is a line made up of the vacation/training/throwaway trips dropped by primary line holders) since my 4th month out of training. So, I have straight trips on commutable lines.
Also, DEN is the toughest FedEx commute in the company because it has the most commuter pilots who live there.
Hacker15e
Who am I? Where are my pants?
I have been on the line for about 8 months on the A300 (which flies essentially domestic only), and according to my logbook as of this morning, I have flown 51% night trips and 49% day trips.
cmhumphr
Well-Known Member
At the end of the day, you already know the pros and cons of staying or leaving. Do what is best for YOU. At 28, and single with no kids at United Airlines, you LITERALLY have the world at your fingertips! Seriously man, that is amazing.
"A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush."
"A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush."
jtrain609
Antisocial Monster
I think I was still on furlough when I was 28. Didn't upgrade to captain at a regional until I was 33.
F
Flying Saluki
Guest
jtrain609
Antisocial Monster
How much of that was flying overnight, vs just flying AT night? There's a huge difference between ending at 0000-0200 and ending at 0700.
Hacker15e
Who am I? Where are my pants?
That's 50% too much for meTo each his own though. Cheers
Be that as it may, I was responding to your quote that, "neither will you until you have a lot of seniority," which just isn't factually correct.
Hacker15e
Who am I? Where are my pants?
I'd have to dig deeper to give you a more in-depth analysis, but every one of the night legs either started about 2-4AM and finished at 5-7AM, or began in the late afternoon/evening and landed about midnight.
And, there is obviously variation on that generalization, but that's the best I can give you from my phone without going back through the legs individually.
I did look at the hourly breakdown in my logbook (not the by-trip analysis I presented earlier) and that shows 51.5% night hours...so very close to the trip breakdown.
deadpixel
Well-Known Member
I'm just glad you didn't have to experience the old crew lounge and dispatch area! New one is quite nice. They finished it right before I left give or take.