SWA Military Reservists

[Candide]

For you SWA-ers doing the military reserve gig on the side:

How manageable is a Guard/Reserve job with flying the line/sitting reserve for the company?

At what point in one's SWA career is company flying more profitable than 0-4 drill pay?

Thanks in advance.

 

[ivauir]

1st year SWA pay for 12 trips (reasonable two day)
$ 451.80

2nd yar SWA pay for 12 trips
$ 762.36

O4 pay for a UTA
$ 747.27

Sleeping in my own bed at night.
Priceless.

I live in domicile (2 hour drive) and close to my reserve unit (30 minute drive). I usually drop one trip a month due to drill weekend and then pick up an open time trip (at second year pay). Working in the unit is in general a better "lifestyle" day than working a SWA day (even 2nd year) just because I get to see more of my kids. However, a "fat" second year trip can earn a lot of dough and is tempting. Even as a new hire SWA makes it more lucrative to spend your extra time flying for them. But living in domicile is the key.

SWA is very accomedating of the reserve duty, but I ALWAYS try to avoid a trip "pull". I try to give away the trip/reserve block so that scheduling doesn't have to deal with it. I am probably about 50% successful, and I expect this to improve as I gain in senority.

I will probably continue with the reserve until 20 - but it is pretty convienient for me, I love the flying, and, well, it just feels right. But financially it will stop making sense by second year for sure - and in some ways this year already.

Feel free to PM me if I can help.

 

[AlbieF15]

Also...watching CNN and knowing you are part of the "home team"...also priceless.

Nothing beats knowing you can live the airline dream and still serve your country. I wouldn't bail the active force without the ANG/Reserve parachute.

Ok..I'm not at SWA...but I am a mil-leaving son of a gun at FDX...

 

[Boxboy]

To piggy back on Candide... for those with an airline job, how many days a month, on an average, do you folks put in with the AFRes/ANG? A lot of the units I'm looking into want 8 days minimum and it seems a little on the high side. Thanks!