Leave Jetblue for Southwest

[Skyboy722]

I'm a SWA fan through and through, but you're better off staying where you are.

 

[WayBack]

Don't be like some of the regional guys, jumping from regional to regional in hopes of greener grass.
Each airline has it's problems, some are the exact same as the others. The only difference is the paint job on the airplane.
This industry is nothing but one big cycle. For a few years your top dog, next thing you know you're dog food and repeat.

I'll second this... you'll like swa much better!

Especially is ALPA is brought onto the JB property.
Then prepare for a shotty schedule followed by a steady diet of pay cuts.

 

[JetFumes]

I tend to think in terms pay, schedule, commutability, and stability. I could drive to work, make more than many Jetblue captains at LGB, no commute, and not have to worry about getting bought, stapled, or worse. Plus SWA schedule are AM or PM, no redeyes. Plus I would get more days off. I just want to get paid as much as I can in as few days as possible, so I can do something else on the side, because quite frankly, I'm sick of all the bullsh!..t.

 

[ATLplt]

...becase quite frankly, I'm sick of all the bullsh!..t.

Aren't we all?

Sounds like you're leaning towards SWA. If that's what your heart tells you then I say follow it. Thing is...once you take the jump you can't look back and second guess. It'll eat you up inside. Honestly though, I'm at FL, a 4 and some change yr FO, and beore the merger was announced I still wouldn't have jumped ship. Company seniority is extremely important for QOL in my usually screwed up opinion.

Again, good luck in your future decisions.

 

[mejorgy]

If the opportunity presents itself during this next hiring wave, I will leave JB and not look back! Four years of reserve and Indentured Servitude are enough. I left the Corporate world after 18 years of never feeling like my time was my own to come to an airline that preeches one thing (culture) to doing the complete opposite! At this juncture in my life (46) I dont care what seat I sit in....... I just want a decent quality of life and be able to make a living. All of which is not happening now! I continue to hear from my colleagues....this is so much better than Mesa or Eagle.... We as a Pilot Group continue to diminish our value as professionals! It probably would`nt be a whole lot better at SWA...but anything is better than nothing! My Humble Opinion

 

[Fins Up]

How have you been on reserve for four years? I've been here 4 2/3 years and I haven't been on reserve since Jan 07. I now bid about 35% in seat.

You're going to start a new job where you'll spend years on reserve because (partly) you're tired of being on reserve?

Not trying to be sardonic, just curious.

 

[mejorgy]

How have you been on reserve for four years? I've been here 4 2/3 years and I haven't been on reserve since Jan 07. I now bid about 35% in seat.

You're going to start a new job where you'll spend years on reserve because (partly) you're tired of being on reserve?

Not trying to be sardonic, just curious.

Uhhh.... because I am in Long Beach! Qualify my post.... I am in my fourth year! Allow me to make the assumption you are based in JFK or BOS?

 

[mejorgy]

Uhhh.... because I am in Long Beach! Qualify my post.... I am in my fourth year! Allow me to make the assumption you are based in JFK or BOS?

Did you read and digest my post thourghly? Take a gander at second year pay at SWA versus 4th year pay at JB! I know, I am being cynical and reactionary. No actually..... just old, fat and tired! I`m willing to take my chances!

 

[Fins Up]

Uhhh.... because I am in Long Beach! Qualify my post.... I am in my fourth year! Allow me to make the assumption you are based in JFK or BOS?

Yep - JFK. We all have our priorities.

 

[Fins Up]

Did you read and digest my post thourghly? Take a gander at second year pay at SWA versus 4th year pay at JB! I know, I am being cynical and reactionary. No actually..... just old, fat and tired! I`m willing to take my chances!

I'm well aware of SWA's rates. Everybody in the industry is well aware of SWA's rates. I'd like to have SWA's rates, but I'm not starting over to do it. Best of luck to you though.

 

[chase]

I'm a 5 plus years FO at JB. Can hold reserve CA on the 320 in JFK and BOS. I wont bid it right now because I live on the west coast. Just wondering how many of you out there would leave to go to SWA if they called (a big if, I know) ? I'm 41 and the clock is ticking. JetBlue is a good place overall, they just aren't SWA. Thoughts?

I assume you are not commuting or if so, it is only to LGB. With that in mind my thoughts.

Write down the 5 most important things you want in your airline job and then base your decision on how important those factors and which airline matches those requirements.

Money, days off, big metal, international flying, job security, scheduling flexibility, never having to sit reserve, upgrade time projections, etc.

Then realistically compare each of these factors at each airline.

1. Money - SWA at this point, not sure how long the breakeven point is with a SWA FO and JB CA but this comparison is pretty easy.

2. Days off - Expect at SWA after getting off reserve 16-17 days off on avg. Caveat is being reserve....with no growth, we've had pilots on reserve for 2+ yrs with 15 days off a month.

3. Big metal...SWA likely in 10 yrs from now, others say sooner but who knows and who cares but if you do, that is my best guess.

4. Job security, @ 5 yrs you have better security than even the junior most SWA pilot even without SWA having ever furloughed IMHO. Not likely JB will go bankrupt but who knows.

5. Can't say at JB but I hear it isn't bad. For all but reserve pilots flexibility increases exponentially once hard lines are held. Density of trips to get time off is good, as well as some of the best rigs to make sure productivity stays high which in turns help QOL by giving us more time off while flying more.

6. Will sit reserve and be prepared to sit it for a yr or more depending on growth. Now if you are in domicile, who cares....I would do it if I was in domicile. Reserves are used in excess of 80% on both sides with few exceptions (DAL mostly)

7. Upgrade time...you are almost there with JB...if that is important for other than pay reason, don't leave...if it is solely for pay, then come to SWA and make more money than JB CAs in a few yrs while in a SWA left seat.

Lots of other variables and I've only highlighted a few....be honest with yourself because if you don't and switch, you will be miserable and makes those around you miserable also. Good luck and have a great holiday season?

BTW, are you talking about a real job offer or just considering applying and preparing in advance in case SWA offers a job?

 

[johnsonrod]

I assume you are not commuting or if so, it is only to LGB. With that in mind my thoughts.

Write down the 5 most important things you want in your airline job and then base your decision on how important those factors and which airline matches those requirements.

Money, days off, big metal, international flying, job security, scheduling flexibility, never having to sit reserve, upgrade time projections, etc.

Then realistically compare each of these factors at each airline.

1. Money - SWA at this point, not sure how long the breakeven point is with a SWA FO and JB CA but this comparison is pretty easy.

2. Days off - Expect at SWA after getting off reserve 16-17 days off on avg. Caveat is being reserve....with no growth, we've had pilots on reserve for 2+ yrs with 15 days off a month.

3. Big metal...SWA likely in 10 yrs from now, others say sooner but who knows and who cares but if you do, that is my best guess.

4. Job security, @ 5 yrs you have better security than even the junior most SWA pilot even without SWA having ever furloughed IMHO. Not likely JB will go bankrupt but who knows.

5. Can't say at JB but I hear it isn't bad. For all but reserve pilots flexibility increases exponentially once hard lines are held. Density of trips to get time off is good, as well as some of the best rigs to make sure productivity stays high which in turns help QOL by giving us more time off while flying more.

6. Will sit reserve and be prepared to sit it for a yr or more depending on growth. Now if you are in domicile, who cares....I would do it if I was in domicile. Reserves are used in excess of 80% on both sides with few exceptions (DAL mostly)

7. Upgrade time...you are almost there with JB...if that is important for other than pay reason, don't leave...if it is solely for pay, then come to SWA and make more money than JB CAs in a few yrs while in a SWA left seat.

Lots of other variables and I've only highlighted a few....be honest with yourself because if you don't and switch, you will be miserable and makes those around you miserable also. Good luck and have a great holiday season?

BTW, are you talking about a real job offer or just considering applying and preparing in advance in case SWA offers a job?

Big metal? What, are we talking about the 737-900??????

 

[chase]

My projections are within 10 yrs (a mature and fully tested 787) is a larger airplane than SWA will appear and it will fly international.

That is big metal IMHO.

 

[johnsonrod]

My projections are within 10 yrs (a mature and fully tested 787) is a larger airplane than SWA will appear and it will fly international.

That is big metal IMHO.

I hope you're right. That would personally make it more appealing for those out there who want to make some serious cash AND see the world.

 

[najet]

When I was new-hire at UAL in the beginning of '99, we had a guy in class with us who bailed out of Southwest after 3 years. Nobody questioned the wisdom of his decision, in fact, we all wondered why he wasted 3 years over there when he could have been working for United, the biggest, most bad**s airline on Earth.

Think about your decision carefully.......

 

[Ski-N-Fly]

When I was new-hire at UAL in the beginning of '99, we had a guy in class with us who bailed out of Southwest after 3 years. Nobody questioned the wisdom of his decision, in fact, we all wondered why he wasted 3 years over there when he could have been working for United, the biggest, most bad**s airline on Earth.

Think about your decision carefully.......

This is a very good point. Look at the history of airlines. Each and every airline has had peaks and troughs. Just because one may be king of the hill today, it doesn't mean it will be in the same position tomorrow. In fact, history shows that it won't. I'm not knocking SWA here at all. I'm just trying to point out how dynamic this industry can be. If a person decides to leave one major airline for another, I just hope that person decides carefully. To jump from a sinking ship is one thing. But to speculate that your ship will sink, and jump because you think the grass is greener.......well I hope it works out for you in the long run. Weigh your options carefully.

One last thing to remember......legacy carriers tend to hire right up until they start to furlough. Where you end up on a seniority list will make a difference.

 

[100fly]

Here is what is going to happen. You are going to go to SWA, then B6 and SWA will merge and your buddys at B6 will all be senior to you haha. Just kidding, but you never know until you retire. Tough decisions.

 

[n757st]

My projections are within 10 yrs (a mature and fully tested 787) is a larger airplane than SWA will appear and it will fly international.

That is big metal IMHO.

Isn't that a misnomer now days? I thought the 787 was mostly plastic?

 

[JetFumes]

Thanks for the input folks. Don't have a job offer, just thinking. I live close to a junior SWA base (driving distance) , so thays a major reason why I still mull it over.

 

[Quimby]

I hope you're right. That would personally make it more appealing for those out there who want to make some serious cash AND see the world.

If you want to make serious cash you're in the wrong business. Maybe you could be a corporate attorney or Wall St. guru. Then you could see the world all you want.