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SWA or DAL?

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skywiz

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 2, 2001
Posts
124
Now that there are rumors that both SWA and DAL may very well start hiring again in the near future (2011-2012), many (I hope to be one of them) may find themselves in the fortunate position of having to decide between these 2 great companies to work for. I have heard that both have potentially very bright futures.

What does everyone think if they had the chance to work for either one?

Here are some pros/cons that I have thought of:

SWA
pros: pay, great culture/company, expected growth (AT purchase)
cons: all B737 flying, same domestic routes for entire career (mabye some close Int'l)

DAL
pros: wide variety of Equipment and Routes, expected hiring (retirements)
cons: lower pay than SWA for many of the smaller aircraft (M88, DC9,etc)
I have heard that DAL may be getting a contractual pay raise in the future?

Anyone have any other factors to consider? I know base is a factor. But both have bases throughout the US. I always hear how SWA guys love their job, what about the DAL guys?

Thanks and good luck to all.
SW
 
Really? Just read some of the threads here and your questions will be answered.
 
Let me grab some popcorn.
This will go at least 5 pages. I'm not gonna even touch the pft thing at southwest.........:D

Seriously though, just go with whoever hires you, that's the ticket.
 
I am currently a Regional Captain and have looked into the same topics. First off, what if SWA and Delta had the same pay? (I assume they will eventually-- Delta 737 pilots getting SWA 737 pay and higher for larger planes) What would be the difference then? Looking at the route map, I see major variety on the Delta side. And that famous culture at Southwest is being tested now with the Airtran merger. Add to that the lack of scheduled retirements at Southwest compared to Delta, and the relatively young age of the incoming Airtran pilots, I just don't see a lot of future mmovement unless there is huge growth.(?)

So, if the pay was the same, look at variety, lack of toxicity (merger), and movement (via retirements). I also look forward to less work for better pay. I fly plenty of 5/6 leg days now all around Texas and nearby States, and I want to see the World. You have to ask yourself what do you want? Good luck!
 
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Get hired by both...Then make your choice. Better yet, get a class date with both... then make the choice.

Cheers!
 
You either have fuselage envy............ or you don't. Flying the 737 for "the rest of my career" doesn't bother me. I actually really enjoy being 3 time zones max from home if my family needs me.

Either would be a good choice..... today. I'd look at future retirements as a major player. WN will retire about 140-150/yr. indefinitely. I think DAL has many more.

Gup
 
GuppyWN said:
You either have fuselage envy............ or you don't. Flying the 737 for "the rest of my career" doesn't bother me. I actually really enjoy being 3 time zones max from home if my family needs me.

Either would be a good choice..... today. I'd look at future retirements as a major player. WN will retire about 140-150/yr. indefinitely. I think DAL has many more.

Gup
Click to expand...
The better apples to apples in regards to retirements is the percentage of gummers hitting 65 and when. I've seen here that 50% will be 65 at dal in 2020 or 2021 and the same 50% at sw in 2028-30. Of course this is assuming no organic growth (mergers don't count) or shrinkage.
 
Oh, and one more MAJOR point. If you don't already have a 737 type rating, are you willing to spend thousands to get it on your own, or maybe get it for free at Delta?

And, as someone just stated, he was just fine flying one type of plane forever and a max of 3 time zone changes a day. For him, that is great. Yet other SWA and Airtran people on this board are salivating over crazy rumors that they MAY go to Asia (in a 737) via ANC someday. Sounds like some of them are already getting restless. If I am lucky enough to get on with Delta, I can fly domestic or international, depending on plane type. I want that choice. Good luck!
 
SKC said:
No we won't. Not a chance. Not in scheduled service. Although, I hear Yuzhno is the Lubbock of Russia.
Click to expand...

Then I bet GUP would bid it with his Captain, Ty Webb. They would drink gallons of vodka, and "own" that town for all of the 14 hours there, before heading off to Busan, Taipei, Guangzhou, and finally Ho Chi Min later that day.
 
I think it important to consider the financial position of the carrier. A great pay scale or route structure won't matter if the doors close.

Don't pay attention to those insecure souls who play the FI "my airline is better than your airline". They are both great companies. Just get hired.
 
ivauir said:
I think it important to consider the financial position of the carrier. A great pay scale or route structure won't matter if the doors close.

Don't pay attention to those insecure souls who play the FI "my airline is better than your airline". They are both great companies. Just get hired.
Click to expand...

Both are doing well. Delta turned a large profit and is paying down debt. Southwest doesn't have as much debt, but is now spending big bucks for Airtran and bringing up pay for their employees. Both airlines are overall financially secure, for now.
 
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People will say oh you won't fly international, oh you'll fly a 737 all your life, you want to live in ATL, Delta is a bigger company with more aircraft types. All this is nonsense. Bases don't matter. Planes dont matter. Both are good companies to work for, as far as being a pilot. Both have good contracts and good pilot groups.

The absolute bottom line is be aggressive in trying to get interviews for both airlines, and then go where you get hired first. There is no point in doing these xxx vs. yyy type stuff.
 
johnsonrod said:
Oh, and one more MAJOR point. If you don't already have a 737 type rating, are you willing to spend thousands to get it on your own, or maybe get it for free at Delta?

And, as someone just stated, he was just fine flying one type of plane forever and a max of 3 time zone changes a day. For him, that is great. Yet other SWA and Airtran people on this board are salivating over crazy rumors that they MAY go to Asia (in a 737) via ANC someday. Sounds like some of them are already getting restless. If I am lucky enough to get on with Delta, I can fly domestic or international, depending on plane type. I want that choice. Good luck!
Click to expand...


Blah, blah, blah...we get the fact you hate SWA. It's beginning to sound like a crappy, broken record. Nobody cares anymore. :p
 

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