Finally joining the big boys club...

[stealy]

Sooo... I have played two BWs and done fairly well in both. I think it's time for me to move on and start playing in a real GW as BWs are getting a bit repetitive for me.

Which GW should I join? And if you are playing in said GW, can you briefly describe what your GW is up to recently? (fuel price spike, major world events...)

Thanks a lot! I appreciate all your help. 

[JumboShrimp]

It's going to be a bit more of a challenge, since the airlines in regular GWs were able to amass some capital they invested in aircraft.

I am in GW1 (1983) and in GW3 (2013).

I think the aircraft availability is better in GW3.  All of the production lines for new (and expensive) aircraft are wide open.  and there is decent amount of aircraft on UM.

GW1 has a lot of people with a lot of cash with aircraft production lines busy for years (with some openings here and there).  As far as fuel prices, both are higher than normal, but both are down from recent peeks.

[Zobelle]

If I were you i'd personally join into GW2 right now.

Cheap(ish) fuel and tons of ships on UM for cheap.
If you do, hit me up and I can set you up with some well cared for DC10-30's at prices that'll have you begging for more.

[gazzz0x2z]

GW2 is special. It's not very hard now(it was before), so surviving companies are all very powerful. If you settle at a place without opposition, though, you should be OK. A locally installed airline will be unlikely to be put down, at this stage of the game.

From what I see, GW1 is far tougher, with higher fuel costs. GW3 is a modern times scenario, where margins are small. Tough start - unless you go for a quiet place, and lease old crap that does not drink too much fuel.

[Tha_Ape]

Yep, there has been some heavy skim off in GW#2, and 80% of the current companies are strong. So better choose your HQ carefully. On the other hand, it means that some places are relatively empty. However late 80s is a good starting time, as there will still be relatively low fuel prices for a while (time to grow and to consolidate before the next harsh times).
Good UM for cheap, also, and while (no matter what the GW) you won't be able to get your hands on the newest models soon, you won't have to wait for decades before getting some: would you have joined 5 years ago, the 737 Jurassic and 727 were still pretty expensive while the 737 Classic and A320 were further away than they are now.
The US are pretty crowded, but Europe seems ok, there is some room in Asia too, as well as in South America.