Fool reiterates the falling SWA model

[Andy]

How else could they attract top notch pilots (I know this is up for debate but many of them are very sharp) who were being promised a fraction of UAL and AA wages at the time?

Why would this be up for debate? During the late 90s, the pay at LUV didn't lag enough to make a huge difference. I knew a lot of sharp pilots who wanted to go to LUV as #1 choice.
My rank ordering was USAirways, Northwest, Delta, Continental. I based it on retirements. I just happened to be called by UAL first (it wasn't high on my list, but it was on it) and hired by them. Within weeks of starting class, Northwest and Delta offered me interviews.
Southwest was never on my list because my goal in life is to be a bunkie on an international widebody. I figured that I already had over 2000 bad landings in my career; no need to have another 5000 bad landings when I could get through the rest of my career with less than 500 more bad landings. Besides, you only get paid while the wheels are turning, so I prefer long flights over short hops. The guys that wanted to go to LUV wanted to fly multiple legs daily.

 

[canyonblue]

The guys that wanted to go to LUV wanted to fly multiple legs daily.

Or maybe, like me, chose SWA because of the culture. Of all my friends that went to various Majors in the late 90's and 2000, I never heard one of them say "this place is awesome!", except the guys I know who went to Southwest. I just couldn't fathom going to work for the next 20 years and hating it. Ask Slug about the difference in coming to work for a trip vs another carrier. It should never be about the pay, because if that is at the top of your list, good luck in this industry.

 

[pgcfii2002]

SWA rocks....money isn't everything....do it for the love of the game man!!!

 

[SWA/FO]

I luv Southwest Airlines! Customer appreciation days fall on the 5th and 20th of every month.

 

[Benhuntn]

I was teetering but now I'm tottering. Whew! this thread had me worried. For a minute I thought I was the only happy guy left at SWA and 7s3w7a was right. I am ok now though since there must be 3-4 happy guys. By the way 7s3w7a I can't see my belt but I'm not greedy. Just 2/3 of the way to fat dumb and happy.

 

[Jim Smyth]

I was teetering but now I'm tottering. Whew! this thread had me worried. For a minute I thought I was the only happy guy left at SWA and 7s3w7a was right. I am ok now though since there must be 3-4 happy guys. By the way 7s3w7a I can't see my belt but I'm not greedy. Just 2/3 of the way to fat dumb and happy.

As they say in Texas "You anit seen $hit yet!"

Just wait until the surveys come out and you get all that good jetway advice during the section 6. The very vocal minority will be bitching up a storm again! But then when the vote goes through it wont be close and common sense of the majority will rule, again.

Still happy after 14 years! Pass me another glass of Koolaide.

 

[Andy]

I was teetering but now I'm tottering. Whew! this thread had me worried. For a minute I thought I was the only happy guy left at SWA and 7s3w7a was right. I am ok now though since there must be 3-4 happy guys. By the way 7s3w7a I can't see my belt but I'm not greedy. Just 2/3 of the way to fat dumb and happy.

Ben, you're overselling yourself. You've already stated that you're fat and happy, why did you stop at 2/3s? TIC

 

[Andy]

Or maybe, like me, chose SWA because of the culture. Of all my friends that went to various Majors in the late 90's and 2000, I never heard one of them say "this place is awesome!", except the guys I know who went to Southwest. I just couldn't fathom going to work for the next 20 years and hating it. Ask Slug about the difference in coming to work for a trip vs another carrier. It should never be about the pay, because if that is at the top of your list, good luck in this industry.

Good point. We all have different buttons to be pushed. This isn't a one size fits all world.

 

[Juvat]

I chose SWA because of the cloth seats.

 

[firstthird]

and then we went and changed all the seats to leather. must have been a disappointment.

 

[Benhuntn]

Andy your thinking "uderselling" myself I think, but no I'm 2/3's since I was smart enough to apply to SWA and lucky enough to get hired.


Capt. Smyth pass the koolaide, I'm thirstn again.

Cheers to the greatest job on earth

 

[AimPoint]

Swa

Can't wait to drink the Koolaid. I am in line at SW and ready to join a group that still finds fun at work. So many at other carriers just dont have fun anymore. I want to do my part to keep SW a great place to work....for me and everyone else around me. What a concept.....actually enjoy, and be proud of were you work.

 

[The Prussian]

Right on!!!

The guys that wanted to go to LUV wanted to fly multiple legs daily.

Andy kinda clued into something right here....we love what we do, and through multiple legs...you get to be real good at it. Not being boastful...just lots of hands on time is a good thing....

 

[Uncle Bunkle]

Southwest was never on my list because my goal in life is to be a bunkie on an international widebody.

Careful, SWA Bubba won't like you using that word.

 

[Ex737Driver]

I don't believe the model is falling. It's evolving. Lets see if Jblue and AirTran's 35% annual growth or SWA's 10% growth over the next few years works out better. Hopefully both will work, but the proven horse is usually a good bet.

I agree. It is evolving but just like ANY OTHER INDUSTRY,double digit growth is unsustainable. When it crashes, it crashes hard.