av8instyle
Above Average Member
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2002
- Posts
- 427
This could get ugly.
I can say this much: In the last 30 years you refer to Alaska has failed to make a profit only about five times. That pretty much beats every major with the exception of SWA. But the difference is that SWA, as everyone knows, does business a LOT different than most airlines. What they have accomplished is nothing short of phenomenal. But there are some little items that have not been an issue until recently for SWA.
Alaska pilots are paid a lot more than SWA, Alaska FA's the same, mechanics the same, etc., etc. In other words, AK makes their profits while enduring a much higher payroll per person than SWA. SWA pilots just got a hefty raise and the FA's and Mechanics are coming shortly. I think you are about to see a big shrink in SWA's profits, IMHO.
There are a lot of ways you can compare airlines, so It would take a lot of room to compare the two. But I'll say this: Alaska pilots have generally more time off, fly less on average, get paid more, have an "A" fund and "B" fund along with stock options and profit sharing, mostly cross less time zones due to the north-south route structure, get more interesting flying, have better technology, have a lot of room for expansion, are the preferred carrier in nearly every market they serve, and most years turn a profit.
There's a lot to be said for those things.
SWA is a great company and was my first choice besides AK. But the only two things SWA had in my book over AK was the fact that they do turn a profit EVERY year, and there's a PHX pilot base. Although, ANC and SEA are about the best places I think a pilot could base (no offense to the LA guys)
I can see this thread getting very ugly very quickly, and this board is severely biased towards SWA.
I can say this much: In the last 30 years you refer to Alaska has failed to make a profit only about five times. That pretty much beats every major with the exception of SWA. But the difference is that SWA, as everyone knows, does business a LOT different than most airlines. What they have accomplished is nothing short of phenomenal. But there are some little items that have not been an issue until recently for SWA.
Alaska pilots are paid a lot more than SWA, Alaska FA's the same, mechanics the same, etc., etc. In other words, AK makes their profits while enduring a much higher payroll per person than SWA. SWA pilots just got a hefty raise and the FA's and Mechanics are coming shortly. I think you are about to see a big shrink in SWA's profits, IMHO.
There are a lot of ways you can compare airlines, so It would take a lot of room to compare the two. But I'll say this: Alaska pilots have generally more time off, fly less on average, get paid more, have an "A" fund and "B" fund along with stock options and profit sharing, mostly cross less time zones due to the north-south route structure, get more interesting flying, have better technology, have a lot of room for expansion, are the preferred carrier in nearly every market they serve, and most years turn a profit.
There's a lot to be said for those things.
SWA is a great company and was my first choice besides AK. But the only two things SWA had in my book over AK was the fact that they do turn a profit EVERY year, and there's a PHX pilot base. Although, ANC and SEA are about the best places I think a pilot could base (no offense to the LA guys)
