SWA or CAL?

[CRJsensa]

I realize this might be beating a dead horse BUT,

I have been offered a class date at CAL and will be considered in the Jan. 11th desision board for SWA. I am leaning toward SWA but have not been offered a position as of yet. The CAL class would be Feb. 7th and (if offered a job) the SWA class would probably be some time in June.

Pros and Cons

SWA Pros

1. I like the domiciles
2. Current pay and work rules are best in industry
3. Great management

SWA Cons

1. No international
2. Feeling pressure from bankrupt airlines which could = future concessions

CAL Pros

1. International flying
2. Good management
3. Good fleet selection
4. Has potential to be a very lucrative career

Cal Cons

1. Could be next to go bankrupt = Furlough
2. Could be bought or merge with another airline = Furlough
3. Not crazy about domiciles

Any thoughts?

 

[Saluki Dawg]

Were your references called yet by SWA? If not, take the classdate at CAL so that you don't lose out on that opportunity, in case SWA doesn't pan out. Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[COpilot]

Swa

...

 

[vetrider]

Call me old fashioned, but I would take the CAL offer and not look back. Being to calculating about things has just as high a chance to bite a guy in the but as it does to pay off.

 

[MINIME]

Congratulations!!!

Both great airlines. CAL is not going anywhere. They're here to stay. I don't see all this merger stuff happening either. If it does happen, CAL will be the buyer not the buyee.

LUV, you have the potential to make LOTS of coin right from the get go and on into the years if things don't change drastically. But the culture at LUV is the most attractive to me. They really are some the most hardworking, geniunely nice folks overthere. I believe their relationship with management is exemplary on how to run a company with harmony and success.To me..that's worth a million bucks.

 

[psysicx]

Is flying international that great? Wouldn't you rather go there with your family?

 

[IAHERJ]

No, not really.

IAHERJ

 

[ezviper]

Remember that, as of late SWA is picking up only an average of about 10-15% of those that make it through the interview from the DB. Times are good for them to be very selective and they are! Good luck with your decision, I would definitely go with SWA if given the option, just don't burn bridges until you know that you have both to choose from!

 

[SWA/FO]

Go to CAL.

 

[FracCapt]

Remember that, as of late SWA is picking up only an average of about 10-15% of those that make it through the interview from the DB. Times are good for them to be very selective and they are!

I can't help but think that number has to change in the near future. Plans are still on track to hire approximately 600 for 2006, and according to a recent interview with one of the PD people they interview approximately 100 a month. Can anybody confirm or deny that number?

 

[vetrider]

Go to CAL.

Whats wrong with going to CAL?

 

[CAL EWR B737]

Congratulations either way you will have a good career (I hope). Hey for the SWA guys how did your company get a FAR exemption for fast taxing? Because it appears to many you guys taxi at what some may consider an unsafe speed.

 

[FracCapt]

Congratulations either way you will have a good career (I hope). Hey for the SWA guys how did your company get a FAR exemption for fast taxing? Because it appears to many you guys taxi at what some may consider an unsafe speed.

It's not unsafe if you consider it part of the takeoff phase...

 

[CAL EWR B737]

Whats wrong with going to CAL?

He's been lucky enough to get hired by a great company. It appears this guy believes if you don' work for SWA your a loser. What hey doesn't understand is what airline you get hired at is pure f&$king luck. I think he believes since he got hired into one of the best flying jobs in this country he is somehow superior to the rest of us bottom feeders.

 

[SWA/FO]

Nothing, I just thought it would be funny...being that my handle is SWA/FO to post that I think he should go to CAL. I really know nothing about CAL.

 

[Mach 80]

Unsafe taxi speed? I don't recall reading of any speed limits posted for taxi in the FARs. These airplanes run along the ground at 150 knots for take-off and landing sometimes. How is a 20 knot taxi speed unsafe when you have been cleared by ATC from point A to point B? It's subjective. The fact of the matter is that others taxi ridiculously and unnecessarily slow at times and they are so accustomed to doing it from the "Don't taxi faster than a brisk walk" mantra from their C-150 days , they are totally brainwashed ...or maybe it's just a result from getting paid by the minute.

 

[SWA/FO]

TFP baby!!! TFP.

 

[CAL EWR B737]

The fact of the matter is that others taxi ridiculously and unnecessarily slow at times and they are so accustomed to doing it from the "Don't taxi faster than a brisk walk" mantra from their C-150 days , they are totally brainwashed ...or maybe it's just a result from getting paid by the minute.

Me thinks it the latter. :blush: Honestly though I propably taxi too slow and some of you guys taxi too fast.

 

[CAL EWR B737]

TFP baby!!! TFP.

Hey whatever floats your boat Every airline has that 5% . I appears your not only in that 5% your in the 1%. uke:

 

[Flopgut]

TFP baby!!! TFP.

I get the feeling SWA rededicated themselves to even more stringent hiring criteria after this guy slipped through.

 

[SWA/FO]

Why would you say such mean and hurtful things to me? I was only saying Trips For Pay. I think I'm going to be sicccckkkk.... uke: too..

Flapgut, you are my biggest fan! You follow me all over this board.

 

[CAL EWR B737]

SWA/FO

All right maybe I went to far, if offended you I apologize. I took TFP to mean something completely different. I also get tired of reading on this board how some look down at others. Look I have been at five different airlines and met lots of pilots in my twenty plus years in this business.

I like many others have watched pilots interview at various airlines only to see really good pilots everyone thinks highly of to get turned down and those who can't fly there way out of a paper bag and have a personality to match get the job. I also have seen many in my time go to an airline that everybody would give their right nut to fly for only to see those airlines in the future go from the top to the bottom. I've also seen some who actually believe because they got hired by airline X they are somehow better than others. I believe it's pure luck and a roll of the dice when one enters this business. For the most part where all about the same, we provide excellent and efficient and most importantly safe transportation from point A to B and do so with the utmost professionalism. Some of us have far better luck than others.

 

[CRJsensa]

Saluki Dawg,

Yes, all my ref. were called. I have a good friend of the family who has been with SWA for 23 yrs. and he has told me that many of the cheif pilots are good friends of his and that he has talked to them about me and that my chances are good. But, on the other had, I know alot of great people that were turned down and this concerns me.

If there are any CAL or SWA pilots out there could you please give me some idea of your schedule? and what I could expect yrs 1-3?

thanks in advance

CRJsensa

 

[MINIME]

CAL EWR 737,

You are absolutely correct on your statement about where and when some of us get hired. It is truly pure luck and lots of networking that get people hired at most companies. Skills are not really a part of the equation. Interviews you can prep for, sim rides you can also prep for if you're willing to spend the money. Looks...well I'd be first in that department!! he he he (just kidding)

But this person may have a choice. Something that the majority of us will only dream of. We can be picky, selective, all we want, but the airline that you most desire to go to may not ever call you. That is a fact of life. Especially in today's enviroment.

 

[CAL EWR B737]

.

If there are any CAL or SWA pilots out there could you please give me some idea of your schedule? and what I could expect yrs 1-3?

thanks in advance

CRJsensa

I've been here almost 19 years. If you or anyone else interested in CAL wants to PM me your phone number I would be happy to chat with you and answer any questions you may have. I am fairly knowledgeable on most info at CAL and would be happy to pass on any info you may need to help you in your decision.

Please no pm's about a CAL referral. I already got three friends on and I can't refer anyone I haven't known for a considerable time.

 

[shagadelic]

Had a friend hired at CAL and SWA without the type. SWA told him he had 6 months to get a type. He went to CAL. Then Sept 11 hit, and he got furloughed. He quickly went out and got a type rating, called SWA, and said "I'm ready!" and got a class a few months later...I asked him a year later if he ever got recalled to CAL; he said he had. I said are you going back? His reply: "Are you kidding?"

 

[chase]

CRJsensa,

My simple recommendation would be this:

1. Notify CAL you will accept their 1 Feb date.
2. When you are notified of the results of the Jan DB (probably within a week of when you have to report to CAL or earlier)
3. If not accepted by SWA, the decision is easy, go to CAL, great airline.
4. If told you are "to continue in the process" then you have a choice to make. Either wait for SWA & stay where you are or do the following:
5. Start with CAL & see for yourself what CAL is like...no better way to see for yourself what they are like.
6. If everything works out with SWA & you are offered a specific class, with a specific class date then do the following:
a. Write down the 5 facts/values/criteria that are most important to you when are considering which airline you wish to work for; pay, types of aircraft, domestic or international, culture, commuter, domiciles, profitability, job security,etc.
b. Once you have decided what is most important, make your best assessment which company meets those top 5 priorities & go there (if offered the job).

Hope that helps....good luck in your decision & aviation career.

 

[Falconjet]

No brainer here, IMHO. Definitely take the class date with CAL. Bid the 73 if you can. Even IF SW offers you the job, you will still have several months before you get a class date, and meanwhile you will be gaining 73 experience and seniority at CAL. When SW finally offers you a class date you will have a much better perspective on CAL to base your decision on.

This is a business. You need to provide for yourself and your family. Don't wait around for a possible job offer. Take the job at CAL, and if SW wants you later, make your decision then. You never know how long you will be in the pool at SW, are you willing to sit idly by the entire time or do you want to be working and making money?

Good luck.

FJ

 

[Frap]

Sensa:

In addition to your thoughts on CAL being a very lucrative career, SWA can be lucrative quicker. In this industry get as much as you can as quick as you can--culture and commute notwithstanding.

The age 60 thing doesn't sit overly well with me either. Although if you are who I think you are:

-- at our current airline, that wouldn't be a factor in your decision. AND
-- there might just have to be a celebratory evening at Racers.

Later.

 

[1BigRodeo]

Dont turn down the CAL class, its a sure thing. Take it and learn the 737 with a great company. If SWA calls and you still have an interest, jump ship when your class date comes up for SW. Either way, you win. Five years in at SWA, I have never looked back. Love the flexibility, love the schedules, love not having to go to EWR. Now I have a new airport to hate....PHL.

Best of luck no matter what you do, but CAL and SW are apples and oranges, both taste great, pick your favorite. At age 60 you can look back and see how good a decision you made. Take the sure bet for your family, your future, and your peace of mind. I would hate to have turned down a CAL class and then run the risk of not getting SW.