SWA benefit package

[swahopeful]

I have done quite a bit of research into the pilot contract and specifically the benefit package at SWA. I am fairly familiar with the 7.3% match of the 401(k), profit sharing, etc. but can someone at SWA post a nice little paragraph that sums up the various features of the benefit package in a easy way.



The reason I ask is not to compare the package to other airlines but since I have an interview coming up I want to have a better understanding of the contract and benefit system at the level I need to have to answer an interviewer question about what I know about SWA system of pilot benefits, profit sharing etc.



Thanks...

 

[rangridr]

SWAHOPFUL,

Congrats on the interview...hope it goes well for you! I don't know the answer to your questions, but from what I've read here, I get the impression that they are more interested in who you are rather than what kind of facts you can spit back at them. If it were me, I would have a general idea on the history of the company (like the NUTS book), and I would definitely try to pour over my logbook for stories that I can share with them. From what I hear, they really want to get to know your personality. Also, you might want to try Craig Thornton...seems like he is the man when it comes to interview information. Check other boards for that info.

Wish you all the best...sounds like you definitely have the enthusiasm to work there!

Cheers
Rangridr

 

[Stash]

SWA interview

swahopeful, it's a personality interview, not a technical one. You just gotta be you, that is, assuming you are a good guy! Read Nuts, know a little about the company's history, but, pay and benefits, or how to determine alternate minimums on an approach, are not asked about at all. They'll ask the "tell me about a time..." questions, not "how much fuel would it take to fly to Birmingham." They really want to know if they can spend a month flying in the left seat next to you. Good luck,

 

[tmstewar2]

Benefits

Just to name a few:
Passes/Travel Privileges
ProfitSharing and 401(k)
Stock Purchase Plan - Employees pay only 90% of market value for the stock
Medical Insurance - very reasonable
Dental Insurance
Vision
Life Insurance
Other Benefits:Long-Term Disability Insurance · Dependant Care Spending Account · Healthcare Spending Account · Adoption Assistance Reimbursement Benefit · Child and Elder Care Resource and Referral Program · Mental Health Chemical Dependency/Employee Assistance Program

You will NO WAY be asked about benefits of the company. Once you are on property for training your whole 1st 2 days (with spouse) are about benefits.

If you have any other questions please let me know.

Terri

 

[majortool]

I have a friend who works there now as a Pilot. He broke his leg in a car accident and was out for several weeks. He said he only got pay from what he had earned in sick leave, and since he had only been there for less than two years, it was less than a month of time. He said there was no short term disability, only long term that starts at 4 months with a buyup or 6 months regular. He also told me that after 4 or 5 months of being out on medical, I can't remember what he said on time, that the insurance stops and you have to pay COBRA insurance. Is this true or did he get wrong information?

MT

 

[swahopeful]

just to make it clear my primary focus is clearly preparing stories that highlight my character, flying history, and how it fits with the SWA culture. however i am also preparing to a lesser extent by making sure i know the corporate history and information on the daily life and work of a typical SWA pilot. while i doubt i will get questions in an interview about a 401(k) plan, or even the history of SWA, i do want to seem informed and not "along for the ride" should discussions of this nature begin outside the interview rooms, while on the SWA campus. i may never use the information but the effort of 5 minutes looking over the stuff can't hurt can it?

 

[canyonblue]

He broke his leg in a car accident and was out for several weeks. He said he only got pay from what he had earned in sick leave

He is the tool. During your first days in class you are offered a ONE TIME chance to opt in the Pilot Aid plan. It is a SWA pilot plan that covers such unfortunate incidents where you run out of pay. It is $9 a month and one of my classmates broke his wrist during his first year. Pilot Aid then kicked in and he said he actually made more than when he was flying the line. If he did not opt in then I can't speak for stupidity.

 

[majortool]

He is the tool. During your first days in class you are offered a ONE TIME chance to opt in the Pilot Aid plan. It is a SWA pilot plan that covers such unfortunate incidents where you run out of pay. It is $9 a month and one of my classmates broke his wrist during his first year. Pilot Aid then kicked in and he said he actually made more than when he was flying the line. If he did not opt in then I can't speak for stupidity.

Am I reading this right? You are calling him stupid for not putting into the Pilot Aid plan - but the employees are paying for a benefit that the company should provide. I'm just making sure I'm reading this right. Help me out here.

 

[canyonblue]

the employees are paying for a benefit that the company should provide.

The company does NOT provide STD. I still applied, and still enjoy working here. And what Short Term Disability is your employer providing you, since you think it should be a decision maker for employment.

 

[FatesPawn]

Am I reading this right? You are calling him stupid for not putting into the Pilot Aid plan - but the employees are paying for a benefit that the company should provide. I'm just making sure I'm reading this right. Help me out here.

Perhaps his reference to the aformentioned individual as a "tool" was a bit overstated...

Foolish might be a better descritption.

But, your assumption that STD is a benefit that employers SHOULD provide is not on the mark. STD is a NEGOTIATED BENEFIT. You only get what you negotiate.

If I'm hired by SWA, I'll just subtract the $9/month from my salary expectations and then consider if that's still enough money to pay the bills ;-)

 

[majortool]

The company does NOT provide STD. I still applied, and still enjoy working here. And what Short Term Disability is your employer providing you, since you think it should be a decision maker for employment.

My employer is providing me with STD as a part of my benefit package. It's 66 2/3 up to 6 months off and then LTD kicks in at 50% of my pay, except I have done a buyup, so I get the 2/3. My insurance doesn't quit after 4 months and I'm not forced to buy COBRA insurance. We had a guy at our company who got cancer and my company stood by him for the entire two years that it took him to recover. There are other airlines that have STD - AWA and JetBlue have it. It isn't a negotiated benefit.

I'm amazes me that a simple question is asked and there is such a huge defense, like everyone else in the world is stupid except you. Negotiate that into your contract. Paying even $9 a month to fund a benefit that a company should provide is wrong. I didn't say that STD was a decision maker for employment. Think about it though when something tragic happens to you, like a long term illness and you're paying between $400-$600 a month in COBRA premiums. Gets pretty expensive.

 

[Sideshowbob]

I got STD once in the Phillipines, but one shot cleared it up

 

[canyonblue]

Paying even $9 a month to fund a benefit that a company should provide is wrong.

Then I guess I'm wrong. $9 a month is fine with me. Where is it you currently work that has such a great contract? This info might help other pilots that are looking for work.

 

[SWA/FO]

Dude,

There are many stories (true) at SWA of the company coming to the aid of their employees in a time of need. Two, I can think of off hand (1) A Capt. at SWA had a very sick little girl and she needed a transplant/treatment of some sort, basically they would have had to leave town in a hurry, maybe in the middle of the night. Herb had a Lear jet on standby at DAL just incase this Pilot needed to move his little girl in a hurry. It was there for months - just in case.

2) After a Pilot broke his neck on a vacation in South America. The Company chartered a jet to fly this guy from South America to Seattle to be closer to home and US medical care. Cost to him ZERO.

This is a great company and there are many, many stories out there.

 

[jhill]

Am I reading this right? You are calling him stupid for not putting into the Pilot Aid plan - but the employees are paying for a benefit that the company should provide. I'm just making sure I'm reading this right. Help me out here.

Where do you come up with this? Why should any company provide a benifit for you to beak your leg skiing or whatever? Where are you from? When you pay for a benefit with after tax dollars you also don't pay income tax on it. Figure it out commie.

 

[328dude]

SWA/FO.


Funny, before 9-11, SWA was the only airline I ever jumpseated on (in jumpseat) that the pilot's didn't bitch about the company in some regard.

Nice stories, exactly why I want to make SWA my final resting place.

 

[AMRCostUnit]

Am I reading this right? You are calling him stupid for not putting into the Pilot Aid plan - but the employees are paying for a benefit that the company should provide. I'm just making sure I'm reading this right. Help me out here.

At AA, the company provides nothing in the form of STD. We have Pilot's Mutal Aid through the Union. It kicks in at $2000/mo tax free for 12 months after sick leave is gone. Our cost just went up from $10 to $23/mo due to an increase of payments from the plan. Anyway, it's no-brainer IMHO.

Unit