DELTA vs SWA from another thread....

[momalley81]

And the pay rate at SWA is thanks to us.

Actually if it is attributable to anyone it would be UAL. Not Delta.

And not you. You didn't do anything to get those payrates. Unless you happen to be on the negotiating team.

Still waiting on that first name.

 

[Tejas-Jet]

Those guys will grow tired quickly of their multiple leg days with 25 minute turns. That ex JFK 767 FO will dream of past layovers in Nice, Barcelona, and new ones he could have tried, like Pisa, Budapest, and Kiev. Oh well, enjoy ELP.


Bye Bye--General Lee

General, I've now been here for 13 years....I'm still not tired of the 25 minute turns. but, to each his own.

for that ex-JFK 767 FO....I seriously doubt he actually "dreams" of past layovers anymore than I might still "dream" of paying ALPA dues like I did at the "legacy" carrier I left for SWA.

If that ex-JFK 767 FO needs to find a way to get to Nice, Barcelona, Pisa, Budapest or Kiev....I'm sure he knows how to get there...if he doesn't, he can look me up....I'll tell him how to get there.

Kiev???? sheesh !!! "Babushka" city

 

[Tejas-Jet]

Actually if it is attributable to anyone it would be UAL. Not Delta.

Don't think so General....the current pay rates were voted on as part of the contract extension voted on in 2002.

 

[CF34-3B1]

That sounds great. I also know that a lot of your DAL trips do have 6 leg days, with AMA, MAF, LBB, HOU, CRP, HRL, flights too included. My buddy from OAK does a lot of "Califonia Shuffle" trips with 5 or more legs a day, going through LAS, over to ONT, up to SMF, over to PDX, then onto GEG. He says he sees SNA a lot, and usually a couple times each of the days he flies there. He said it can really tire him out. I am not making this up. The last day of his previous 4 day trip was LAX--PHX--SNA--SMF--SNA--OAK.

Not every trip of yours is tough probably, but you have very productive trips, which can be good and bad. To me, very productive means lots of legs or flying to the max, which means exhaustion. I prefer 1 or 2 legs a day, and somewhere tropical in the Winter, and cool in the Summer (ANC). IF you like SWA, great, but not everyone wants that type of flying, and that is what a lot of SWA pilots can't believe.


Bye Bye--General Lee

He's either very junior, or he's doing them by choice, for commuting purposes, etc.

I'm pretty junior, and I can avoid the TX 2 Step even based in Dallas, our most senior base.

And you're right. Some guys prefer multi leg days, some don't. I know I generally prefer 2 or 3 legs a day, but now and then I enjoy getting in a -500 and doing a little TX 2 Steppin' But my point is, you don't HAVE to do that kind of flying here if you prefer not to.

I picked up a 2 day out of open time last month that flew 5 legs and 5 legs. Had a blast doing it too. Paid 17.4 straight time. I should have held out for VJA on it, then I would have made as much as a Delta 787 pilot! And no, I wasn't even a little tired when I got home. And I bet my friends at Delta would be horrified to see me flying around in CWS Pitch and setting my own thrust too

 

[TCMC17RES]

My final advice, go somewhere you will enjoy the flying and figure out a side business that you enjoy. I have a friend at Delta that does just that. He gives away alot of his flying to free up about 20 days a month, has good overall compensation and keeps his foot in flying with ability to fly some really great cutting edge equipment and destinations in the future....really the best of all worlds.

Does anyone know for sure if Delta allows you to "drop" trips as long as they can be covered? What is the current contract ruling on this? In this post it seems that this friend is freeing up time by "giving away" his flying. What is that all about?

 

[SWA/FO]

General you make BANKRUPTCY sound like a walk in the park?

You're excited about short term cash. This reminds me of my Mother-in-law. She is divorced twice.... the second time around her ex offered her $50,000 to walk away, nothing else. She was all over it... Thought it was a great deal.. Now that she makes 25,000 a year and spends $50,000 its not looking to smart. Very smart on behalf of her ex husband, who is retired liv'in well with his Military retirement + civilian 401k..

So are you tak'in the high road and saying "hey its better then nothing" or do you think it was so sweet, you wish DAL went had gone into bankruptcy long before they did?

 

[radarlove]

I think I would choose Delta, except for one thing: I just don't think I could sit through the new-hire procedure where Delta pilots have to get the stick inserted up their butts. Not that there's anything wrong with that ("Sorry, this is a Delta van"), but it takes a certain type of guy to look forward to the insertion.

 

[poppi]

I recently went back to Delta. I was furloughed and really had a good job flying the Airbus and was not sure at the time if I should bypass. I am glad I didn’t. Delta is a great company to work for. I am on the MD-88 and now will be going on the 757- 767 ER after only four months on the property. Things change in this industry. A few years back Jetblue was one of the carriers to go to and now…. Southwest is obviously a great carrier to work but for me I am very happy here. Great people, destinations and equipment.

 

[Tejas-Jet]

I think I would choose Delta, except for one thing: I just don't think I could sit through the new-hire procedure where Delta pilots have to get the stick inserted up their butts. Not that there's anything wrong with that ("Sorry, this is a Delta van"), but it takes a certain type of guy to look forward to the insertion.

I've heaaard that many times...but my reality is that in my part 121 career...I have rode in the hotel van many times with a Delta crew and have NEVER heard a statement about the van being owned by anyone.

Guess it is urban legend....like the guy who believes that SWA pilots fly 6 legs a day...every day...and layover only in LBB and
MAF

 

[Scope out RJ's]

General you make BANKRUPTCY sound like a walk in the park?

You're excited about short term cash. This reminds me of my Mother-in-law. She is divorced twice.... the second time around her ex offered her $50,000 to walk away, nothing else. She was all over it... Thought it was a great deal.. Now that she makes 25,000 a year and spends $50,000 its not looking to smart. Very smart on behalf of her ex husband, who is retired liv'in well with his Military retirement + civilian 401k..

So how does your husband feel about that?

 

[CA Calypso]

Supposedly (I have to say that now), that will NOT be the case. (just a rumor, a good one!) An announcement could be forthcoming soon.

And the pay rate at SWA is thanks to us. It may take awhile to get it back for the 738, but we also have 120 757s, 60+ 767s, 20 764s, and CURRENTLY 8 777s, with 787s possibly in the mix too. A lot of people could be getting raises soon, and not have to go to MAF.


Bye Bye--General Lee

Oh please General! When you return from your trip around the universe with Peter Pan and the Easter Bunny you'll realize that SWA's rates were negotiated as part of a contract extension. They were agreed upon rates that had nothing to do with Delta's rates or business model and everything to do with SWA's business model and ability to compensate us.

You however, can send the United pilots a thank you note for your rates...

 

[CA Calypso]

That sounds great. I also know that a lot of your DAL trips do have 6 leg days, with AMA, MAF, LBB, HOU, CRP, HRL, flights too included. My buddy from OAK does a lot of "Califonia Shuffle" trips with 5 or more legs a day, going through LAS, over to ONT, up to SMF, over to PDX, then onto GEG. He says he sees SNA a lot, and usually a couple times each of the days he flies there. He said it can really tire him out. I am not making this up. The last day of his previous 4 day trip was LAX--PHX--SNA--SMF--SNA--OAK.

Not every trip of yours is tough probably, but you have very productive trips, which can be good and bad. To me, very productive means lots of legs or flying to the max, which means exhaustion. I prefer 1 or 2 legs a day, and somewhere tropical in the Winter, and cool in the Summer (ANC). IF you like SWA, great, but not everyone wants that type of flying, and that is what a lot of SWA pilots can't believe.


Bye Bye--General Lee

General,

Are you saying that Delta has no multiple leg days - especially up in the Northeast?

 

[Hardcorr]

general, general, general. Enjoyed your positive posts when I was at Detla but now find your posts childish. Dude, give it up. Delta will never be the company it once was. It will take a lifetime to get back the work rules and pay you once had. Get over it. Defined benifit plans are a thing of the past. Profit shairing and a nice 401 k are here to stay. It's all in my name. Delta pilots learned the hard way. All my friends are at Delta and I wish them luck. Dude, I was there and it sucked watching Mother D go in the ********************ter while Leo walked away with millions. As for my life at SWA. There is a reason this company continues to thrive. Can you imagine a place where employees treat each other with respect. Guess what General? The pilots aren't the enemies here. And you know what I'm talking about. The good times you talk about while flying internationally happens every day here at SWA. If you're not getting together with your crew for dinner and brews they want to know what's wrong with you. Bottom line General, I work hard for 15 days a month with 12 to 15 hr layovers to make what it takes a Delta pilot 17 to 18 days a month. Have never had a nine hr layover at SWA. What else? Did I mention $1 BEERS.

 

[ivauir]

You guys love to say that, but then never put up any of your own proof.
Bull, you and I have had this discussion a dozen times now... my proof is my schedule.

I don't care what you say, you are lying if you say you don't fly a lot of legs per trip. Sure, some days may only have a couple, or maybe even ONE (wow). Most have a lot, Define "most". and those trips are meant to be productive, but that also means exhausting. (unless you are Superman) They are not exhasting for pilots who enjoy flying. You might be able to handle it now early on, but in 10 or 15 years, those 25 minute turns and multiple legs are going to get to you. To say otherwise is LYING. Interesting debating tactic - you define disagreeing with you are lying. Well that doen't make you any less wrong. These schedules just aren't that hard. The regionals have the same type of schedule usually, and most people want to get out of the regionals. And yet so many regional pilots are choosing us over Delta, I wonder why. Your AVERAGE schedule is like a high paying regional. Support? None, because it just isn't true. But, there is NO DOUBT you guys have fun people there. That is great. And the current high pay is FANTABULOUS. I hope it always stays that way, or there will be a run for the door.

GL you are full of it. Working here is just not that hard. Crossing 5 timeszones is hard, multiple legs SWA style is no big deal. I guess this ariline isn't for pilots who don't like to fly though. You are expected to fly for your pay. That doesn't bother me.
Tell me what I am lying about please. You are lying about the LBB overnights, the nightmare schedules and the overall QOL here. And remember, I have friends over there and can give you examples of recent trips if you want. One friend based in OAK on his last day of a 4 day went LAX--PHX--SNA--SMF--SNA--OAK in one day. So what? I don't like to fly those kind of days every day, but everyonece in a while a 5 leg day is kinda fun, but then again I like to fly. So I guess Delta is a good airline for pilots who hate flying . No thanks.


Bye Bye--General Lee

I just drove home from what you would consider to be a tough trip. 6 legs TUS 3 legs GEG 5 legs, it was fun. Next week I'm doing all long haul with SAN and PHL overnights.

I've done international (and enjoyed it), but these days I don't much care where my hotel room away from my family is. It isn't where I really want to be anyway.

This is my 10th airplane so I don't really care if the 737 is the last.

 

[ivauir]

There are plenty of rumors abound that have good things coming up, but I can't post them until I see them in writing. That will be soon supposedly.

WOW! Rumors! That is really good for you guys! Too bad there are no rumors at SWA .....