I see your points and I had the same questions when I started.
1. Can't greet the pax as they exit/enter the A/C. Where's the LUV?
After 3 trips it all fell into place. I have enough time to stand in the jetway and fold up strollers and help people with wheelchairs. I don't have any kids, but I never realized what kind of Rube Golderberg machines manufacturers came up with when designing strollers. I'm starting to get the pattern of push this button, fold this, latch this, and finally clip that.
2. You may have missed that bird strike because no one did the walk around and now MX is on the way 2 minutes prior to departure because they caught it, looked for the CA and took the logbook.
That's what the orange is for...birds can see us and know we're coming.
3. The CA, unfamilar with the airport programmed the wrong runway and the FO didn't review it. You fix it after T/O.
I hope the Captain is familiar with the airport. I mean we only have 63 cities (right now). In three months I made it to over 50 them, and I have still yet to see LBB, AMA, MAF, or HRL. Just hasn't been in my cards. Maybe someday though...
4. In a rush to run flows and checklists, no one entered the squak code.
It happens, but no more so when I did 45 min turns at the regionals. We're all human. I try to keep a good flow and there are a couple of checks in our briefings which allow you to catch it, so it's fairly rare.
5. You forgot the salsa for the FA's and they are salty.
Now, isn't that the truth. That's where you've got to be quick on your toes and have a secret stash of chocolate. At least you'll get some coffee or a Dr. Pepper on the next leg.
On the other hand, you don't get paid for sitting on the ground.
You're right about that. In addition to that it translates into more time off at home with decent pay.
I thought 25 minute turns were going to be tough, but SWA has pefected the system to the point that that I was part of a crew that turned an almost full aircraft in 18 mins to get back on schedule. I was a little amazed how it worked. It takes a lot of help from everyone, but it can be done.