SWA or CAL, Humor Me

[cowchipper]

I know it has probably already been discussed, but I am too lazy to search for it. At the risk of the messages breaking down into insults and name calling as they so often do; where would you go and why, SWA or CAL?

 

[bearcat]

It depends....I would say if you are a family man, go with the airline that you are not going to commute or minimize coomuting. I hate commuting and I thought about going to SWA because I am from Chicago. However I'm not going to give up 1000 seniority numbers. There will probably be industry integration that will kill that anyway. This thread is flame for everyone is going to say that their dad can beat up yours. If you have a job offer from both, consider yourself to be very lucky.

AND REMEMBER THAT THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER....

 

[On Your Six]

If you can get past the insulting 1st year pay/benefits at CAL, I would pick it because of the mix of long-haul and short-haul flying. I am not a big fan of "regional" type of flying with frequent short trips and quick turns (the majority of SWA flying even though you get more transcons nowadays in the mix). That's just my personal preference.

The upgrade at CAL is apparently relatively quick on the 737 even though that may slow down. Additionally, it would be nice to have at least the option of flying something very advanced like the 787 one day - if you are interested in that type of thing.

It's your decision - get feedback, trust your gut and go for it. Good luck!

 

[Daddy]

I wouldn't make such a decision based on what you fly...let's face it, it's a GD airliner not matter how you stack it...pick the one that keeps you from having to commute. You would probably upgrade quicker at CAL, but if they merge with someone, it may take forever. SWA should be more stable, but history has not been kind to the "#1 airline". Good luck!

 

[Hutchman]

I know it has probably already been discussed, but I am too lazy to search for it. At the risk of the messages breaking down into insults and name calling as they so often do; where would you go and why, SWA or CAL?

Get hired by both at the same time. The CAL class will be sooner than SWA. Go to CAL, get the type, call SWA and get in the pool. When your # comes up you can decide if you like getting abused at CAL or you can go to SWA.

 

[SWA GUY]

I'd pick based on job security. Wait, that was my only criteria for choice.

 

[On Your Six]

I wouldn't make such a decision based on what you fly...let's face it, it's a GD airliner not matter how you stack it...pick the one that keeps you from having to commute. You would probably upgrade quicker at CAL, but if they merge with someone, it may take forever. SWA should be more stable, but history has not been kind to the "#1 airline". Good luck!

You sound like you enjoy what you do. I never suggested this was the only factor. This is one of many factors to consider. Personally, I don't want to fly a 737 for the remainder of my long career (thanks age 65 rule). I have already flown 737-300/500s at United and they blow (I don't care that SWA operates the 700s - so does CAL). Personal preference. You should consider many factors before making a big decision like this.

 

[capt. megadeth]

I'd pick based on job security. Wait, that was my only criteria for choice.

I'd say job security is an oxymoron but I know what you're getting at.

In any case, this is flamebait and if it's not and the poster truly is "too lazy" to search for related threads then 1. He/she probably won't do too well at SWA and 2. We should be "too lazy" to give him all of our dissertations eh?

 

[On Your Six]

I'd say job security is an oxymoron but I know what you're getting at.

In any case, this is flamebait and if it's not and the poster truly is "too lazy" to search for related threads then 1. He/she probably won't do too well at SWA and 2. We should be "too lazy" to give him all of our dissertations eh?

I agree. With the 25 minute turns and frequent short hops, it is difficult to be lazy at SWA.

 

[FlyinGuy]

I'd quit asking this question on FI. Make up your own mind.

 

[scoreboard]

Yor to lazy to search? PLEASE go to CAL.

 

[flyingitalian]

Quick turns? 30 min average, but hey it will seem like an eternity after 6 months. Id rather spend the time at the bar than waiting for an airplane. Fly 737 for your whole career? Boeing will stop making the 737 in 2012, so I think swa will have a new airplane before your career is over. Upgrade, will be 12 years for new hires with change to age 60.

CAL upgrade will be quick for EWR reserve, but longer to hold a line. Reserve is tough at cal with only 12 days off and the possibility of rolling days. You will have your choice of equipment and with the pace of hiring could probably spend your first two years in training collecting type ratings and end up on the 777 if you want. (a friend of mine actually did this, got 73 75 and 77 ratings in two years) Pilot group is mixed, scabs, iacp types, alpa guys, and express pilots. Seems like the new contract negotiations are going to be tough... on the company.

Hey plus and minus on both sides. There will be changes in the coming years so you really cant go wrong either place. Good Luck.

 

[Daddy]

I still just cannot understand the idea of needing to fly different aircraft...2 things...1) It's an AIRLINER...2) To fly something different you have to go to TRAINING...who the hell wants to do that?

 

[chuychanga]

Everything I've heard about preferential bidding makes it a deal breaker for me.

In my eyes work is work. I don't care how great the job is or how cool an airplane I fly, I'd still rather be at home having fun or spending time with my family. So I'd pick based on which one gives me the best home life, not the best work life.

 

[Charlie Brown]

-CAL upgrade is quicker (at least today), but only in EWR and on reserve. Unless you live close to EWR this would blow.

-"PBS sucks". This from all my friends at CAL, and I have quite a few there.

-Different cliques in the pilot group, i.e. Express, Frontier, scabs, etc. Not the most cohesive group, but I understand it is improving.

-More traditional style airline management at CAL. I'll let you decided if that is good or bad.

-CAL has filed CH.11 twice, and was the first major to furlough after 9/11. If I remember correctly they began sending notices before the end of the month of September 2001.

-SWA has a stable track record. This could of course change.

-Pay is a lot better at SWA at the moment. CAL is in negotiations, will likely improve over time. You would have starvation wages for the first year though, and no medical for 6 months. Important to consider if you have a family.

-If you really have a h--- on to fly Int'l, then go to CAL. If you can be patient, I believe the time will come at SWA.

I am biased, but I would go to SWA. It fits me better from a corporate culture standpoint, and I hate CAL's domicile choices. In either case I think both are good places to work and I wish you the best.

 

[Palomino]

Yor to lazy to search? PLEASE go to CAL.

at least he can spell

 

[cowchipper]

I knew it would not be long before the thread broke down. No wonder our industry is in the crapper, we would rather attack each other than stick together. Thanks for everyone who put forward an honest opinion. I agree, if one were to have the option of two it would be a blessing, and it really is a personal preference. There is really no way to tell the future and either one could be great or could be poop. Its all attitude. My personal opinion is SWA has the right attitude. I mean all you have to do is read a few other threads and see the pattern. SWA guys defend their airline and management and take a lot of heat for it. That says a lot. It means they believe in their company which is rare in this industry.

 

[On Your Six]

I knew it would not be long before the thread broke down. No wonder our industry is in the crapper, we would rather attack each other than stick together. Thanks for everyone who put forward an honest opinion. I agree, if one were to have the option of two it would be a blessing, and it really is a personal preference. There is really no way to tell the future and either one could be great or could be poop. Its all attitude. My personal opinion is SWA has the right attitude. I mean all you have to do is read a few other threads and see the pattern. SWA guys defend their airline and management and take a lot of heat for it. That says a lot. It means they believe in their company which is rare in this industry.

Go with your gut feeling. Talk to people at both airlines (not via this forum unless you PM them directly). Both are good options. Personally, I would take CAL if given that choice because I don't like "regional" type of flying (multi sectors per day) and I like international flying. That's just me.

Good luck.

 

[SWA/FO]

go to CAL.

 

[johnsonrod]

go to CAL.

Agreed. You will work too hard at SWA.

 

[SWA/FO]

Agreed. You will work too hard at SWA.

Exactly, who wants to work anyway. Why even move out of Mom & Dad's house?

 

[MJG]

I think my FO put it best yesterday when we were discussing this exact thing.

It's been both of our collective experiences when talking with friends who are at CAL and friends at SW that when you ask them "how they like the job", the two groups answer very similarly but with one small difference:

New CAL pilots seem to always say, "I like it, but....."

New SW pilots seem to always say, "I love it."

Note the slight difference in how they answer, that to me says a lot.

 

[XLR8]

If you think you're going to work more at SWA, I'd question that. I get 13 days off at CAL and fly 90 hours/month....my friend who's been at SWA just as long as I've been at CAL gets 17-18 days off a month, makes twice as much money, and flies the same hours. Sure, he's flying more per day but I'd rather do that and have more days off then be doing 24 hour overnights away from my family and 4 hour airport appreciation sits.

 

[taxicabdriver]

Very True...34 hours in BOG or 32 in MID are fun the first time you do them, but after a while they get old, but one good thing at CAL is that you have to option to vacation while your at work or fly the more productive 4 days like SW has

 

[GIII Instructor]

neither... go to fedex or ups period. pax side flying faces many threats with increased competition, too much capacity, not much room to grow. open skies, and age 65. SWA or CAL will eventually come not to a screeching halt but WILL slow in the next 24 mos.
IMHO

 

[Ex737Driver]

neither... go to fedex or ups period. pax side flying faces many threats with increased competition, too much capacity, not much room to grow. open skies, and age 65. SWA or CAL will eventually come not to a screeching halt but WILL slow in the next 24 mos.
IMHO

Thank you Dionne Warwick.

 

[Bob_Sacamano]

Luckily, I'm not too lazy to tell you what a putz you are. At least you got some bonus points for admitting it...

I know it has probably already been discussed, but I am too lazy to search for it. quote]

 

[pianoman]

neither... go to fedex or ups period. pax side flying faces many threats with increased competition, too much capacity, not much room to grow. open skies, and age 65. SWA or CAL will eventually come not to a screeching halt but WILL slow in the next 24 mos.
IMHO

Ummm yeah..... well there aren't enough slots at FedEx and UPS for everyone to go to, and that wasn't really the question.

 

[MJG]

If all the cargo flying took place during normal hours, we'd all be dieing to get in there.

 

[SWA/FO]

If you think you're going to work more at SWA, I'd question that. I get 13 days off at CAL and fly 90 hours/month....my friend who's been at SWA just as long as I've been at CAL gets 17-18 days off a month, makes twice as much money, and flies the same hours. Sure, he's flying more per day but I'd rather do that and have more days off then be doing 24 hour overnights away from my family and 4 hour airport appreciation sits.

This is exactly what I thinking.

Kinda reminds me of a story, back to my younger years: A Friend of mine, Adam (who now works in the adult film industry) and I were hired to pull weeds at this old man's house.

I estimated that we could have it done (all the weeds pulled) by lunch time and been on our way. Adam said "no dude, we can make this last all day and get 8 hours out of it". I replied, you're f*cking nuts, I'm not going to stay here all day milkin' the job to get paid for 8 hours, I've got better $hit to do. I'd rather pull the weeds and be on our way.

Kinda sums it up. I like to go to work, get it all done and go home. I don't consider it working harder, its working smarter. Why spread 3 days of flying out over 5 days? Sure you feel tired, but you get tired waiting around in airports too doing nothing.

the SWA/FO