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

[waveflyer]

The problem is if you do get the interview without the type, and do well, you then have to buy it if you don't already have it. That is paying for your own training. Do you disagree with that assessment?

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.

 

[Quimby]

The problem is if you do get the interview without the type, and do well, you then have to buy it if you don't already have it. That is paying for your own training. Do you disagree with that assessment?

Who paid for your training?

Let me guess........your 747 capt. daddy?

 

[General Lee]

Who paid for your training?

Let me guess........your 747 capt. daddy?

You still didn't answer his question, and are actually avoiding it. You are slamming an RJ guy who called you out, and is correct. It's too bad you had to pay EXTRA (on top of other training expenses) to get your job at SWA. MOST of your pilots had to do it that way, and that really is unfortunate. Try to justify it all you want. That's like an NFL draft having to pay for initial training camp. If the team drafts you, they should pay your way.

And, unless you are Military, most parents who can afford it help pay for initial training, or college for their kids. That is common, Quimby. But, you just paid for something extra, that most don't have to pay for in this field, because companies usually pick up that tab. But hey, now there will be plenty of people in front of you that NEVER paid for their 737 type, or even their initial training. Who? Those Airtran guys in front of you on the list. Those guys HIT THE JACKPOT. Congrats!


Bye Bye---General Lee

 

[Bake]

I disagree with that completely. SWA paid for my training and paid me while I was in training; 4 weeks of it Dallas and then even more the first month out flying. Hell, they made me fly a whole line without being on reserve. In no case was the type rating training to fly at SWA. It was a "are you really interested in SWA" fee. I will grant you that. Later, after I was hired it became a "OK, we will hire ya, but are you really that interested?" fee. In no way was the type rating to take the place of training.

 

[Quimby]

You still didn't answer his question, and are actually avoiding it. You are slamming an RJ guy who called you out, and is correct. It's too bad you had to pay EXTRA (on top of other training expenses) to get your job at SWA. MOST of your pilots had to do it that way, and that really is unfortunate. Try to justify it all you want. That's like an NFL draft having to pay for initial training camp. If the team drafts you, they should pay your way.

And, unless you are Military, most parents who can afford it help pay for initial training, or college for their kids. That is common, Quimby. But, you just paid for something extra, that most don't have to pay for in this field, because companies usually pick up that tab. But hey, now there will be plenty of people in front of you that NEVER paid for their 737 type, or even their initial training. Who? Those Airtran guys in front of you on the list. Those guys HIT THE JACKPOT. Congrats!


Bye Bye---General Lee

Is your little RJ buddy doing any ex-Delta flying?

 

[Captzaahlie]

The problem is if you do get the interview without the type, and do well, you then have to buy it if you don't already have it. That is paying for your own training. Do you disagree with that assessment?

A lot of airlines REQUIRE you to have an ATP before applying.....

You paid for that didn't you? It was also added on the your certificate was it

not? Don't forget about the multi engine part of your ticket either, your company

required that too right? Do I need to continue?

 

[S3sundowner]

General, you really do need to get a hobby. It's so sad that you get your kicks out of baiting swa pilots on here.

 

[johnsonrod]

Who paid for your training?

Let me guess........your 747 capt. daddy?

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.

 

[johnsonrod]

A lot of airlines REQUIRE you to have an ATP before applying.....

You paid for that didn't you? It was also added on the your certificate was it

not? Don't forget about the multi engine part of your ticket either, your company

required that too right? Do I need to continue?

So SWA requires you to pay for an ATP AND a 737 type. BOTH. PAY for BOTH. See the difference?

 

[johnsonrod]

Is your little RJ buddy doing any ex-Delta flying?

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

 

[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.