Southwest CEO: 'I'd rather have a customer than a bag fee'

[Quimby]

Here' a hint. I fly E145s out of IAH. Guess what airline has a large base there? Not Delta.

This board is entertaining.

 

[johnsonrod]

Do you understand the point? They want employees who take ownership of the company. They will empower you to take care of the customer- but Swa wants you invested. You will be paid far in excess of your type rating investment in the first year- but we want pilots who are willing to bet on themselves and southwest.

You seem fixated on this- yet I made over $70k in my 1st year here.
What is it called when continental pays less than $30k and no health benefits for 6 months? How about $27k at united or $40k at Fedex, but btw- we're sending you to hong kong where a 2br apartment is $5k/month?

It's a throwback, for sure. It helped determine who really wanted to work for southwest and who just wanted a stop gap before moving on to a legacy. Can you blame them?

Now I think it has a better role- it protects against those pilots who are just here for the money and don't care to contribute to the overall corporation.

In this capitalistic society- this is swa's right and if you don't like it- don't buy the type. The market however, will probably leave you cold-

I paid for my school and all my initial ratings- I fought for a career and won. To me it's not a bad thing. It's an entrepreneurial spirit that ought to be encouraged.

Lesser companies wouldn't find the pilots willing to do it.
IMO.

That all sounds like an informercial. It's like you're trying to sell the idea, but we all know it isn't right. The legacies used to pay better than Southwest before 9-11, but still didn't make anyone pay for anything. What will be your excuse when the legacies bring their pay back up, and SWA still has that policy? It will continue to look foolish.

 

[waveflyer]

Yes, my father paid for my initial training while I was in college, getting ratings each Summer. But after that, I was on my own, including flying crappy jobs even before I could get to my current RJ job. But I do know that if I ever brought up asking for money to buy a type for a job, he'd send me out of the room. I just don't think he would approve of anything like that. Most people don't. You probably think the Gulfstream "pay to play" deal is a good idea too.

And guys like me who did it without daddy would like you to shut up - I answered what it is all about- You keep trying to tie it to pft showing your arse.
If you don't want to do that- it's a free country- don't. Keep flying your rj- (btw- I used to be a legacy pilot... Most of my former peers believe YOURE a sellout for being willing to fly that RJ...So... Keep thinking they do things better- -- they really don't.- after experiencing both- believe me- the cash for a type is the tiniest concern in my mind)

But very few if us at Swa resent that type- we understand it's purpose and chose to do it. Again, free country. Get over it.


Now- how about those $30k no health insurance first years at your coveted legacies? Care to answer?

 

[johnsonrod]

This board is entertaining.

You mean I frustrate you when I am correct, right? Thought so.

 

[johnsonrod]

And guys like me who did it without daddy would like you to shut up - I answered what it is all about- You keep trying to tie it to pft showing your arse.
If you don't want to do that- it's a free country- don't. But very few if us at Swa resent that type- we understand it's purpose and chose to do it. Again, free country. Get over it.

Great, but you're still an orange disgrace. You and the Gulfstream FOs should go party together! BTW, what is the difference, besides pay, between your scheme and Gulfstream's?

And, you bring up CAL's low pay and no insurance deal for the first 6 months. Well, I will not be applying there. That is MY choice, just like not paying for a 737 type.

 

[califlyer]

I was hired at SWA without a type. I paid about $5000 for a 737 type in 2007 after I was offered a job.

Once on the property at SWA, they paid me from day one. They provided my hotel room during training. They provided health insurance from day 1, 401(k) match from day 1. SWA PAID me $67,000 in my first 12 months there.

So $67,000-5000=$62,000.

So if your airline doesn't pay what SWA does, then you paid for your training. They just deduct it from your first year pay.

Does Delta still make you pay your own hotel after indoc?

 

[Quimby]

Yes, my father paid for my initial training while I was in college, getting ratings each Summer. But after that, I was on my own, including flying crappy jobs even before I could get to my current RJ job. But I do know that if I ever brought up asking for money to buy a type for a job, he'd send me out of the room. I just don't think he would approve of anything like that. Most people don't. You probably think the Gulfstream "pay to play" deal is a good idea too.

You didn't pay for any training. Your daddy did. I get it.

You do know what RJ stands for right?

 

[waveflyer]

Right

 

[waveflyer]

That all sounds like an informercial. It's like you're trying to sell the idea, but we all know it isn't right. The legacies used to pay better than Southwest before 9-11, but still didn't make anyone pay for anything. What will be your excuse when the legacies bring their pay back up, and SWA still has that policy? It will continue to look foolish.

No-
Those who think it's foolish will avoid Swa- which is a very good thing IMO-
Good luck with your skywest career

 

[jonjuan]

But I do know that if I ever brought up asking for money to buy a type for a job, he'd send me out of the room. I just don't think he would approve of anything like that. Most people don't. You probably think the Gulfstream "pay to play" deal

But what would he say about the "pay to stay" for your hotel room during training? He'd be Okie Dokie with that? There's always the crashpad. :laugh:

 

[desolo]

I don't understand why anybody gets upset about this topic. You don't have to work for Southwest, besides, there's over 10,000 applications on file for pilots that are more than willing to invest in a type given the chance.

 

[desolo]

I think the General would jump on that if he would ever get an interview, I heard he loves all Texas overnights.

 

[johnsonrod]

But what would he say about the "pay to stay" for your hotel room during training? He'd be Okie Dokie with that? There's always the crashpad. :laugh:

Does it cost $6000 to get a crash pad during training? Oh, you think Delta guys stay at the Westin each night.... My friend who went through DL training for the bus recently said any training not in ATL after indoc has paid hotel rooms, and you are paid additionally anyway. A guy in MD88 training in ATL said he got a nearby crashpad for about $300 a month, which is still LESS than $6000 for a 737 type. Admit it!!

 

[johnsonrod]

I don't understand why anybody gets upset about this topic. You don't have to work for Southwest, besides, there's over 10,000 applications on file for pilots that are more than willing to invest in a type given the chance.

It's not a good thing for the industry. Do you think it is good for 250 hour wonders to pay $17k for 250 hours in a Beech 1900? Maybe you think all airlines should do that? No, you don't have to work for Gulfstream, or for SWA, but practices like paying for your own training or paying to have something to get started should be frowned upon. And, there is plenty of demand for Russian hookers to hook their way out of Russia to a better life somewhere else, but that doesn't justify being a hooker. I guess those 10,000 applicants to that airline don't mind part time pain (paying for type/ hooking) for long term gain. At least the Airtran guys get the same while doing it all respectfully.

 

[waveflyer]

Troll

 

[SKC]

rod, your jealousy is sticking out.

 

[Quimby]

It's not a good thing for the industry. Do you think it is good for 250 hour wonders to pay $17k for 250 hours in a Beech 1900? Maybe you think all airlines should do that? No, you don't have to work for Gulfstream, or for SWA, but practices like paying for your own training or paying to have something to get started should be frowned upon. And, there is plenty of demand for Russian hookers to hook their way out of Russia to a better life somewhere else, but that doesn't justify being a hooker. I guess those 10,000 applicants to that airline don't mind part time pain (paying for type/ hooking) for long term gain. At least the Airtran guys get the same while doing it all respectfully.

Have RJ's been good for the industry, Mr. RJ PIC?

 

[say again]

Jrod, you're argument is weak at best. Sorry if you can't seem to see that.

 

[B727Driver]

I guess he would consider a Masters degree PFT. How many have gone past the 4yr to make themselves more marketable? The type is no different for those wanting to work for SWA.

 

[XRMEFLYER]

Ok Johnson now you've gone too far. It's one thing to try and justify your miserable existence by attempting to minimize the hard work and expense that others put toward furthering their careers, but it is quite another when you go and bash Russian hookers. That is crossing the line and I won't have it!
I think you owe those ladies an apology!
Seriously. This is a slippery slope. Next thing you know you'll be on here bad mouthing Asian massage therapists.