I’ve been scanning some of the Southwest (SWA) comments on the bulletin board, and I feel compelled to set the record straight on a few things:
--Regarding first year pay at SWA, book answer is 36 K or so, but if you pick up any extra fly, you get paid second year rates. My first year I made about 62 K between SWA and my Guard job. And it only gets better! I’m in my third year, and I’m easily on track for $105 K, plus profit sharing, plus 401K match, plus stock options, plus Employee Stock Purchase program. I do that and fly about 60 hours a month (I live in domicile at play the reserve game by choice). I am blessed. With our current contract, my first year as captain (another two or three years from now), with a little extra-fly, my base pay will be over 200 K (not including options, etc).
--Depending on your base, you get a healthy mix of lines—Dallas and Houston still do more short haul, but that is changing, too. I fly out of BWI and I fly a base three-on-four-off when I fly a line (versus voluntary reserve for extra days off). And I’ve only been at SWA about three years! Seniority gets better by the month. I never had to sit reserve, and my three day trips are typically two legs the first day (BWI-BNA, BNA-LAX, for example), then four the next, then three the third. We do a lot of long haul out of BWI. I like to mix it up, trying to find the most efficient line (i.e. make the most money) for the days I have to be away from home. Our schedule is very flexible with regards to trading, giving away, or picking up extra trips.
--The BWI pilot base alone will double in size in the next three years or so, and we are expanding service in almost 50% of our cities. The east coast is our next major growth area (though we are “fleshing-out” our service system-wide). Management has said SWA will probably double in size (from 3500 pilots or so to about 7000) by 2010 or so. Always conservative, their model has served us well so far.
--WE DON’T HAVE, NOR PLAN TO GET, RJ’s! See how the creation of a “split fleet” (with lower pay scales, etc.), affects the “22 months” to upgrade at JB. JB’s founder mentioned in Aviation Leak that the 2-3 years a new JB hire spends in the RJ (at lower pay) will more than offset the training costs. Then that guy should move to the left seat of the Bus. But who is going to fly the left seat of the RJ? Read the handwriting on the wall, boys. Get organized—you’ll need it! Stay ahead of the game before the “efficiency expert” takes ya’ll for a ride.
--Regarding FEDEX: great company, lots of opportunity for adventure. The “typical” schedule another forum member submitted looks interesting. However, I prefer shorter overnights (i.e. 12-16 hours), and more efficient flying (get the max flying in for the least amount of days away from the house—i.e. short overnights and longer duty days). Definitely, an individual preference. SWA does not have a lot of equipment options, but you have an opportunity to learn one aircraft really well (and as I get older, I realize I don’t want to keep going back for training and putting my ticket on the line with every new type rating. Plus, my brain has “crystallized” some--the result of too much beer in my younger days, not to mention that I’m a bear in the classroom!). Again, a personal preference thing.
--Hope the info helps—best of luck with whatever you choose! SWA, JB, or FEDEX are all great options if they allow you to live where you want to live and fly equipment (and pay) you can be happy with. It’s a great job—enjoy the ride! The grass is always greener…
--Regarding first year pay at SWA, book answer is 36 K or so, but if you pick up any extra fly, you get paid second year rates. My first year I made about 62 K between SWA and my Guard job. And it only gets better! I’m in my third year, and I’m easily on track for $105 K, plus profit sharing, plus 401K match, plus stock options, plus Employee Stock Purchase program. I do that and fly about 60 hours a month (I live in domicile at play the reserve game by choice). I am blessed. With our current contract, my first year as captain (another two or three years from now), with a little extra-fly, my base pay will be over 200 K (not including options, etc).
--Depending on your base, you get a healthy mix of lines—Dallas and Houston still do more short haul, but that is changing, too. I fly out of BWI and I fly a base three-on-four-off when I fly a line (versus voluntary reserve for extra days off). And I’ve only been at SWA about three years! Seniority gets better by the month. I never had to sit reserve, and my three day trips are typically two legs the first day (BWI-BNA, BNA-LAX, for example), then four the next, then three the third. We do a lot of long haul out of BWI. I like to mix it up, trying to find the most efficient line (i.e. make the most money) for the days I have to be away from home. Our schedule is very flexible with regards to trading, giving away, or picking up extra trips.
--The BWI pilot base alone will double in size in the next three years or so, and we are expanding service in almost 50% of our cities. The east coast is our next major growth area (though we are “fleshing-out” our service system-wide). Management has said SWA will probably double in size (from 3500 pilots or so to about 7000) by 2010 or so. Always conservative, their model has served us well so far.
--WE DON’T HAVE, NOR PLAN TO GET, RJ’s! See how the creation of a “split fleet” (with lower pay scales, etc.), affects the “22 months” to upgrade at JB. JB’s founder mentioned in Aviation Leak that the 2-3 years a new JB hire spends in the RJ (at lower pay) will more than offset the training costs. Then that guy should move to the left seat of the Bus. But who is going to fly the left seat of the RJ? Read the handwriting on the wall, boys. Get organized—you’ll need it! Stay ahead of the game before the “efficiency expert” takes ya’ll for a ride.
--Regarding FEDEX: great company, lots of opportunity for adventure. The “typical” schedule another forum member submitted looks interesting. However, I prefer shorter overnights (i.e. 12-16 hours), and more efficient flying (get the max flying in for the least amount of days away from the house—i.e. short overnights and longer duty days). Definitely, an individual preference. SWA does not have a lot of equipment options, but you have an opportunity to learn one aircraft really well (and as I get older, I realize I don’t want to keep going back for training and putting my ticket on the line with every new type rating. Plus, my brain has “crystallized” some--the result of too much beer in my younger days, not to mention that I’m a bear in the classroom!). Again, a personal preference thing.
--Hope the info helps—best of luck with whatever you choose! SWA, JB, or FEDEX are all great options if they allow you to live where you want to live and fly equipment (and pay) you can be happy with. It’s a great job—enjoy the ride! The grass is always greener…
