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SWA or Delta

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Rank&File

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 30, 2002
Posts
71
O.K., I have job offers from Southwest AND Delta. What a predicament!! For one, I could care less where I'm based; I'll be a commuter for life. Two, Southwest guys aren't reqired to wear hats. I like that a lot about them.

I've done lots of research on both. Seriously, it's gonna be hard to turn down either one of them. I've wanted to be a Delta pilot since I was five years old but times have changed. I never thought I'd ask anyone this question: would you take Southwest over Delta?
 
Everyone's dream job is different. You are in a good situation. Talk this one over with your family and do what is best for them.
 
That's quite a decision to make. Both sound like good options. Which one has the sooner start date?
 
I had a thread on here a few months back that asked the same question. I was in your situation and chose Delta for the same reasons that you want to go to Delta. I felt that even though it was a risk, Delta would fare better over the next 20 years.
It comes down to what you want for a career. Delta is more conservative on their approach to aviation, whereas Southwest is about fun and getting the job done while having fun. That is not to say that Delta people do not have fun, it is just what SWA is known for.
BTW I am very happy with my choice. I have not had a second thought.
 
The Hat thing is a very important aspect and deserves more consideration. Don't take the Hat thing lightly, the decision will hang over your head for the next 20 years.
 
Southwest. Delta will have their troubles again in the future. Look at the last 20+ years. Who has the best track record? Easy answer. Good luck.
 
Has Southwest ever furloughed?

Has Southwest never gone a whole year without profits?

Has Southwest ever been bankrupt?

Has Southwest ever sacrificed profits for "market share"?

Has Southwest ever been run by a corporate raider with the BOD's consent?

Now ask these questions about Delta. The legacy carriers are cyclical, and within 10 years, they will be back in bankruptcy.

Besides, will you really look good in the double breasted coat? Who does, unless you're a Russian submarine captain?
 
Well sounds like you are a girl

So do this: Take one job and if it sucks leave half way through training and go to the other company!

Don't worry Fedx and UPS will always take you if it does not work out.
 
Not that current regional pilots don't have good opinions on this question, and yes, it's obvious from the answers that many DAL/SWA pilots troll the regionals board, but you might want to try posting the question on the Majors board as well.
 
You're asking the wrong people. Don't disappoint the 5-year-old still inside you. Follow your heart.
 
Up until 9-11 and the questionable dealings of some of their top managment, Delta was probably the strongest airline out there, with constant profits. I think they learned a lot about what went wrong, and have now decided on an approach with a better mix of international and domestic flights. When the dollar is weak, like right now, Delta gets more passengers from Europe and other countries to fly to the USA where things are a bargain. When that is reversed, they will fly people from the USA to international destinations.

Next, you have to look at how Southwest and Delta will handle future competition. How will the new low cost carriers affect them, like Skybus and Virgin Am ? I would also look at the type of flying they do and see if you want to do that the rest of your career. Good luck with your choice.
 
Rank&File said:
O.K., I have job offers from Southwest AND Delta. What a predicament!! For one, I could care less where I'm based; I'll be a commuter for life. Two, Southwest guys aren't reqired to wear hats. I like that a lot about them.

I've done lots of research on both. Seriously, it's gonna be hard to turn down either one of them. I've wanted to be a Delta pilot since I was five years old but times have changed. I never thought I'd ask anyone this question: would you take Southwest over Delta?
Click to expand...

Do you have your type yet? An offer from SWA is just that, an offer. Not until you get your type will you be assigned a class date.

Do you have a class date with DL?

Go with the first class date offered. You don't seem to care much about bases, equipment, pay, or lifestyle so go with the first class offered.
 
I know what I would pick, I can't imagine flying a 737 for the rest of my career...also doing 10 legs a day...no thanks. I would take the DL job and fly the 767, 787, & 777's just my thoughts though.
 
princeton said:
Meaning .. you couldn't care less? If you really could care less then where do you want to be based?
Click to expand...

Put it this way, Atlanta, Dallas, Cincinatti, Houston, Salt Lake City, Chicago, New York, Baltimore, Oakland, Phoenix, and Vegas all sound great to me.

And no, I don't have the 737 type; only two "conditional" job offers from two great companies.
 
kids vs. adults

If u want to fly for a commuter the rest of your life - go southwest.

If u want to be an aviator and see the world - go delta.

BTW - all u kids out there who can not spell Pan Am, TWA, Eastern, Western and many others - what's goes around, comes around. SW has nothing assured in their future any more then any one else. In the 60's and 70's the places to be were those gone names. If u like all u'r eggs in one basket - SW is the answer. Else - Delta, and enjoy a great carrier.
 
Hi!

I think it's IMPOSSIBLE to tell which one is better in the long run.

SWA never furloughed? I heard that before.

DELTA had never furloughed, and a month after I interviewed, they furloughed.

I think a huge thing is do you want to fly over the ocean on LONG legs, or do you want to fly shorter legs, with more landings and takeoffs.

To each his own.

I am applying at both SWA and Delta.

cliff
YIP
 
atpcliff said:
Hi!

I think it's IMPOSSIBLE to tell which one is better in the long run.

SWA never furloughed? I heard that before.

DELTA had never furloughed, and a month after I interviewed, they furloughed.

I think a huge thing is do you want to fly over the ocean on LONG legs, or do you want to fly shorter legs, with more landings and takeoffs.

To each his own.

I am applying at both SWA and Delta.

cliff
YIP
Click to expand...

Cliff,

Delta has domestic flying where you can do a couple or three legs a day and see the country, or fly the Delta Shuttle and see NYC/BOS/DCA 5 legs a day. I have heard guys who live in DC or BOS fly the Shuttle so they can be home at night instead of their layovers. You also can bid the international flying, and if you get tired of it, you can bid back domestic. Southwest only offers mutiple leg domestic flying.
 
SPDBRD747400 said:
I know what I would pick, I can't imagine flying a 737 for the rest of my career...also doing 10 legs a day...no thanks. I would take the DL job and fly the 767, 787, & 777's just my thoughts though.
Click to expand...


He'll make more money as a 12th yr SWA 737 captain than any Delta captain (be it 767, 787, or 777).
 
Flyer1015 said:
He'll make more money as a 12th yr SWA 737 captain than any Delta captain (be it 767, 787, or 777).
Click to expand...
assuming the Delta rates don't come up from current levels. I think that would be a VERY wrong assumption. As soon as and as long as they economy and this industry continue to do well, Delta will pretty much agree to "any" rate the delta pilot group asks for (the moon), same as they always have. There in lies the rub (IMHO). They still have not "fixed" there real problem: mindset.
 
Flyer1015 said:
He'll make more money as a 12th yr SWA 737 captain than any Delta captain (be it 767, 787, or 777).
Click to expand...


That's assume he get hired today, see an upgrade in 7 years and then another 12 years to be a 12 yrs. captain...AND that delta pay rates will not change...but stay tuned on that point...

Make u'r calculations on a year over year and the progration possible at delta and over the same time delta pay is more then double then SW. And life goes on.
 

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