SWA or DAL

[ACL65PILOT]

The World thing was a joke, but thanks.
I do understand that the SWA thing involves more work on the days that you do work. A 20 hr three day. No big deal I do a 21 hr three day followed by a 6 hr day line most weeks. Yes it does get old, but it pays the bills quite nicely at a regional.
DAL has some of that flying too. You are correct. I would love to fly long haul and ultra long haul if possible. I am not sure if being able to give my wife what she wants is worth waiting for that. DAL is in a position for kiss a$$ and take names. The have a very aggressive business plan and I think that they can make it as a stand along. They may choose not do down the road, but for now I think they can prosper.
The only negative I see about DAL is that I would be commuting out of DFW to ATL. This is bar none one of the most difficult commutes with Dallas closing in early 05. Tack on the fact that I will loose a decade of seniority on my pass bennies. It is not fun
I will of course interview at SWA and make a decision if one is to be made.

 

[Chest Rockwell]

7 years ago SWA captains were leaving for UAL. That is a fact.


Bye Bye--General Lee

You are correct. Two captains total. At least one called to see if he could come back.

And you complain about 25 minute turns? That is an eternity (there were several 15 min. turns when I was hires). You still don't get it. Last I heard most pilots don't get paid for sitting on the gate.

 

[PuffDriver]

The World thing was a joke, but thanks.
I do understand that the SWA thing involves more work on the days that you do work. A 20 hr three day. No big deal I do a 21 hr three day followed by a 6 hr day line most weeks. Yes it does get old, but it pays the bills quite nicely at a regional.
DAL has some of that flying too. You are correct. I would love to fly long haul and ultra long haul if possible. I am not sure if being able to give my wife what she wants is worth waiting for that. DAL is in a position for kiss a$$ and take names. The have a very aggressive business plan and I think that they can make it as a stand along. They may choose not do down the road, but for now I think they can prosper.
The only negative I see about DAL is that I would be commuting out of DFW to ATL. This is bar none one of the most difficult commutes with Dallas closing in early 05. Tack on the fact that I will loose a decade of seniority on my pass bennies. It is not fun
I will of course interview at SWA and make a decision if one is to be made.

One note off the beaten path on this trail: DO NOT take the interview at SWA, get the job, and then turn it down. It will close that door forever, according to my SWA buddies. Find a reason not to take the interview if you are not going to take the job...if offered.

 

[800Dog]

Deltoid here. Born and raised in the ATL, always wanted to fly for DAL and have enjoyed my time at Delta over the past eight years. Never even considered SWA. Not because I thought it was a bad airline. I did not want to commute and wanted options that SWA could not offer. I think I would be perfectly happy at SWA. I like the 737 and love quick turns. Nothing sucks more than long sits. I would interview with SWA and then make the decision. Either way, you will work with alot of great people and just enjoy the ride. Practice saying "wind check" and "we are going as fast as possible". Whichever one sounds most comfortable may help you with your decision If you end up at DAL, first round is on the general!

 

[ACL65PILOT]

The world comment was mean as a joke. I do know a lot of people there that love it though, and make more than enough money.
I do understand what the SWA life style is like. I fly a 21 hr three day followed by a 6hr day line most weeks. It is a lot of work but the money is good for a regional. Now doing it for the next 30 years is a little scary. I do know that I am a very big fan of fewer legs.
I believe that DAL is on it was up. With its business model that is in place it will kick a$$ and take names. USA and B6 must be shaking in their boots about now. I have always wanted to do the ultra long haul and I know that I will get that at some point in the future at DAL. I am just not sure if making my wife live in a state that she hates is worth it. I have commuted and the DFW ATL commute is one of the worst in the industry, especially with no pass seniority. I am giving up a decade worth of seniority if I went to DAL.
Either way I am going to take the interview and make a decision if there is one to be made.

 

[800Dog]

The world comment was mean as a joke. I do know a lot of people there that love it though, and make more than enough money.
I do understand what the SWA life style is like. I fly a 21 hr three day followed by a 6hr day line most weeks. It is a lot of work but the money is good for a regional. Now doing it for the next 30 years is a little scary. I do know that I am a very big fan of fewer legs.
I believe that DAL is on it was up. With its business model that is in place it will kick a$$ and take names. USA and B6 must be shaking in their boots about now. I have always wanted to do the ultra long haul and I know that I will get that at some point in the future at DAL. I am just not sure if making my wife live in a state that she hates is worth it. I have commuted and the DFW ATL commute is one of the worst in the industry, especially with no pass seniority. I am giving up a decade worth of seniority if I went to DAL.
Either way I am going to take the interview and make a decision if there is one to be made.

Where do you live in ATL? Why does your wife hate it? I am not a fan of Dallas. I live in VA Highlands and love it. Not a fan of downtown ATL but, VA Highlands, B'Head, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Alpharetta, Midtown and E. Cobb are great places. What is the commute like from DFW to SLC ot LA? Good luck.

 

[WSurf]

You are in tuff pickle! Couple of folks at my airline have been hired at SouthWest without Types. Southwest gives you 6 months after the thumbs up to go out and get your type.
Unless you want to live near any of the Southwest bases, I would just save the Type money and go with the Delta thing!
Good Luck! And Congrats!

 

[anewunion]

Look at the facts:

SWA=Great Airline,Financial powerhouse

Delta=Good Airline,In BK, but with 3B in cash.

SWA hired 2000+ guys within the last 4 years.

Delta hired 11 within the last 6 years.

And Trust me, SWAPA was the biggest supporter of the age 65 rule.

You do the math.

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

Definitely interview at SWA while getting on at Delta.

Wait to get your type if you are still on the fence. After you get your type you will still have to wait a month or two for class.

You should be able to make up your mind in 6 months. You will see whether or not Delta has a great emergence from BK in that time. IMHO, I don't see Delta beating the pants off of JetBlue in that time, but it gives you a chance to see that happening. I foresee a more positive future for JetBlue and Airtran.


If you want to keep SWA an option as you give Delta a shot for a few years, go ahead. (I would rather stay at home in Dallas) Then decline the interview. Be prepared to reapply, with type and humility, if you need them. They will respect you more if you don't decline class.

 

[ACL65PILOT]

I know I have looked at the numbers and when I would retire at SWA I would only be in the 64-66 percent. IE a long way from the top. It does not really matter though since they all fly the same equipment and get paid the same. It would just be a QOL issue. I do know that they have 131 more aircraft that need to come, but frankly I think that after that their rapid growth and business plan will hit a few potholes.
With DAL I would be in the top 15-30 on the seniority list. Even if we merged with NWA it would be the same since NWA has a very top heavy list. Upgrade would be about the same at either place. Somewhere around the 10 to 15 year mark