Southwest Window

[PCL_128]

How's upgrade now at delta?
You've been talking this quicker upgrade for a while / years now-
When does it dip below 10?

It's already there.

As for SWA's upgrade, stop peddling BS, wave. Prospective SWA pilots have a right to accurate information so that they can make smart decisions, and you telling them that upgrade is 10 years is irresponsible. If SWA were to grow at 3% per year (highly unrealistic), I would upgrade after 19 years. Someone hired today, even with somewhat optimistic growth, is looking at well over 15 years to the left seat, probably closer to 20.

If you want to guzzle the kool aid, then have at it, but don't lie to people who have to make career decisions for themselves and their families.

 

[General Lee]

How's upgrade now at delta?
You've been talking this quicker upgrade for a while / years now-
When does it dip below 10?

Last bid the junior Capt bid (NYC MD88) was about 9450 out of 12,000 total. Retirements haven't really even started yet. When they do, and there are 5000+ coming, it will probably go to 5-6 years on property. Kinda like what you USED to do. There are bids every 5-6 weeks, only half of the 717s have shown up, the 757s being parked will be replaced directly by 737-900ERs, and 10 A330s and 45 A321s will also be coming in the next few years. So, huge retirements plus lots of incoming planes.



Bye Bye---General Lee

 

[Herkdrv]

It's already there.

As for SWA's upgrade, stop peddling BS, wave. Prospective SWA pilots have a right to accurate information so that they can make smart decisions, and you telling them that upgrade is 10 years is irresponsible. If SWA were to grow at 3% per year (highly unrealistic), I would upgrade after 19 years. Someone hired today, even with somewhat optimistic growth, is looking at well over 15 years to the left seat, probably closer to 20.

If you want to guzzle the kool aid, then have at it, but don't lie to people who have to make career decisions for themselves and their families.

I thought you were quitting???

 

[PCL_128]

I thought you were quitting???

Hence the use of the word "would" instead of "will."

 

[slaquer5]

Hence the use of the word "would" instead of "will."

Need to take bets

I say you will stay.

 

[PCL_128]

Need to take bets

I say you will stay.

I've tried to get wavey to take me up on it, and he's too scared. I'd love the easy money!

 

[waveflyer]

Last bid the junior Capt bid (NYC MD88) was about 9450 out of 12,000 total. Retirements haven't really even started yet. When they do, and there are 5000+ coming, it will probably go to 5-6 years on property. Kinda like what you USED to do. There are bids every 5-6 weeks, only half of the 717s have shown up, the 757s being parked will be replaced directly by 737-900ERs, and 10 A330s and 45 A321s will also be coming in the next few years. So, huge retirements plus lots of incoming planes.



Bye Bye---General Lee

None of which answered the question

 

[waveflyer]

I've tried to get wavey to take me up on it, and he's too scared. I'd love the easy money!

I actually do not care -
So... I don't look up the post that said you'd be gone by last April- you'll do what's best for you as you should.
I held into my SWA job through a lot of good hard working times- you know what I think from a business stand point- but I bet you have those bases covered in another way when you do quit.

As for your version of GLs public service announcement- I'll now repost my constant thought on this: upgrade thinking is regional thinking.
If I'm struggling on $160k, I'm sure I'll be struggling on $230k-
To me, if upgrade is your #1 priority- then yes, other places will be a better fit. If you aren't into SWA and it's culture, and it's just a job, there is no reason to consider us over the other options.

I would rather be a SWA FO for 20 years and retire with laugh lines than be a capt at delta united American- so I got lucky and it worked out. If you don't feel this way- apply elsewhere and see where you land.
The last decade worth of risk is mostly mitigated now with retirements save united- that place has systemic upper level leadership issues.

All that said, we have 50 new international cities opening up and the culmination of 5 new initiatives where by all accounts we will be growing at a pretty good clip- 3% will be easy
I expect my upgrade will be just over 10 since I got to sit here for the stagnation, but I wouldn't be surprised if those hired in the last few years see 8 year upgrades again IF we don't buy a young carrier that does what we do.
What I absolutely know is that no one has a 10 year crystal ball. And certainly not PCL who really has never been right about career moves.

 

[redflyer65]

My thoughts exactly Wave. This place may not be for everyone, but it allows for financial stability and schedule flexibility that works for me. Both of those things have allowed me to branch out as well and start my own business. So far so good and things are better than I expected. Cheers.

 

[General Lee]

My thoughts exactly Wave. This place may not be for everyone, but it allows for financial stability and schedule flexibility that works for me. Both of those things have allowed me to branch out as well and start my own business. So far so good and things are better than I expected. Cheers.

So, you and Scoot opened a "Chippendale" franchise targeting senior citizens in OAK? I hear your new buddy Scoot asks for Quarter tips, but to be inserted in his "slot." That's Nasty. Good luck to you two fruitcakes.


Bye Bye---General Lee

 

[redflyer65]

So, you and Scoot opened a "Chippendale" franchise targeting senior citizens in OAK? I hear your new buddy Scoot asks for Quarter tips, but to be inserted in his "slot." That's Nasty. Good luck to you two fruitcakes.


Bye Bye---General Lee

Do you ever wonder why people don't take you seriously anymore?

I give you Exhibit A.

 

[Scoot 11]

Do you ever wonder why people don't take you seriously anymore?

I give you Exhibit A.

If you guys would just stop anthropomorphizing this azzwipe, he might just go away.
He has already posted himself into insignificance with nearly 20,000 posts that offer nothing but high school level debate! And even that's pushing it.
He is not and has never been a pilot for Delta! Maybe his uncle is. He isn't. It's been proven time and time again.

 

[General Lee]

If you guys would just stop anthropomorphizing this azzwipe, he might just go away.
He has already posted himself into insignificance with nearly 20,000 posts that offer nothing but high school level debate! And even that's pushing it.
He is not and has never been a pilot for Delta! Maybe his uncle is. He isn't. It's been proven time and time again.

This from a chubby Chippendale who asks grannies for quarter tips in his rear end! How can anyone believe this skid mark? Nobody can! And Red is his choreographer......they play the song "I'm too sexy" to each other before they ride the pole....(the stripper pole you sickos!)



Bye Bye---General Lee

 

[General Lee]

Do you ever wonder why people don't take you seriously anymore?

I give you Exhibit A.

Let me guess, you commute home on an allnighter from BWI Westbound to your home in El Paso on a medical Learjet that sometimes pushes back at 0310am on every other Thursday night? Yeah, and you're a loser.


Bye Bye---General Lee

 

[On Belay]

Well i've been at SWA 6 years and I think Wave and Red are smoking crack. It's still a good company and a good job... but it ain't what it used to be. It will take a miracle for a NH to upgrade in under 20 years now. Delta, United, American are all better options if the left seat is the goal. I can say that the right seat at SWA is still better than the left seat at many other places. Time will tell, but the Koolaid at SWA is starting to taste a little sour.