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Good post too gup-
but I will say, for me, I came up in the regionals and went to alpa legacy, I wouldn't ever choose a legacy- i simply couldn't stomach the outsourcing and the blatant ignorance from the major airline pilots that sold those jobs out. I couldn't do it- it was WN, fly boxes or Int'l or corporate- but at some point you are selling your soul if you work for the people managing those outfits- AND a couple of years of semi-bad QOL commuting to a southwest schedule doesn't make up for how bad ALPA unions have been to my generation.
No, so you went to a job where instead of getting hired, you paid for your training. Good move junior!Good post too gup-
but I will say, for me, I came up in the regionals and went to alpa legacy, I wouldn't ever choose a legacy- i simply couldn't stomach the outsourcing and the blatant ignorance from the major airline pilots that sold those jobs out. I couldn't do it-
And yet the sw pilot group was the catalyst for age 65, stagnating your career even further, yet you don't seem to find any damage to your career or hold them in contempt?:laugh:it was WN, fly boxes or Int'l or corporate- but at some point you are selling your soul if you work for the people managing those outfits- AND a couple of years of semi-bad QOL commuting to a southwest schedule doesn't make up for how bad ALPA unions have been to my generation.
It's the above statement that mirrors the united pilots of the late 90's. Look at what happened to them now. Most of them are on furlough.There are a lot of intangibles to WN- that makes it worth it to me- if any southwest pilot doesn't care about those intangibles- I also invite them to move on. If it's just a job- and it's all about you- you'll fit in nice at delta.- not so much at swa.
Absolutely my friend.
My PERSONAL quality of life meter is pretty simple. Make bank while you can and try to enjoy your job doing it. You must be able to do this in as few "do-overs" as you can.
Southwest is my 3rd airline after almost 10 years as a corporate pilot. When I got hired here I had also been hired by American AND Delta. The first class date was Southwest. By the time the American class date had come up I was almost on the line and realized how "fun" Southwest was. The major problem is the pay SUCKED! (relative to Mother D and American) I did the math and figured a 4 year upgrade here would have me making what I would at either of the other two and we'd "hopefully" have a decent contract by then anyway.
Well, educated guess and it has, to this date, paid off. Missed the 4 year upgrade by a couple but the pay swung up to where it is today.
As far as your question I'll reference my Quality of Life Meter. Make bank and go home. Delta is hiring, WN is not. One of my very best friends is almost dead last at WN. He has been on straight reserve and commuted across the country for 2 YEARS to do it. He has had his nuts slammed so many times I cannot count the ways. In other words, he has no life. He doesn't complain so I will do it for him.
If I were him and was looking at a 15 year upgrade, which he is, I would consider going elsewhere. Flying all over the world in the right seat of a 777 doesn't suck. Spending 15 years in the right seat of a 737 might. Nobody knows yet because we have never been "there" here at WN.
Listen bro. This isn't about PBS, codeshare, or RJ's. This is about quality of life and making cash to support your family in retirement. I have championed against every single one of those things but I will be honest. At the end of the day I do not fight these things for YOUR benefit, I fight them for MINE, which may help you too!
Do I love it at Southwest Airlines? HELL YES!!!! This is, without a single doubt, the best job I could have, FOR ME. I am a redneck goofball with a pretty laid back attitude and this joint fits me like a glove. All things being considered though, in todays market, you'd be a FOOL not to put a serious eye and pen to paper on a Delta career. It's a great airline. Take off the uniform and their guys are just as "cool" as our guys. (Unlike the United guys - but I digress! )
Be selfish in your career choices, do the math and take a swing. That's pretty much all I was saying.
Gup wouldn't leave Southwest for ANY carrier - today. If I were #5832 I'd at least do the math.
Gup
P.S. I'm not telling anyone to jump ship like we had Pre 9/11 here at WN! I'm simply explaining to you what would go into my decisions in todays environment.