SWA or DAL

[ACL65PILOT]

Quite true.
I have never really wanted to go to SWA as weird as that sounds. I love the pilots and all, but hate the legs and the cattle care mentality. I do like the diversity that DAL has to offer. Now if they would open up the DFW base again all would be right in the world.

 

[ACL65PILOT]

General
Will new hires that are on the list get part of the 2.1B note when it is sold? I have heard that and was wondering if you could clear that up.

 

[Chest Rockwell]

Just so you can make an educated decision base on facts.

I know of only 2 captains that left for other air carriers in the past 15 years at SWA.

Average day is about 4 legs/6.5 hours/7.2 TFP.

The company keeps its promises to employees and pays its bills ontime.

If you enjoy flying, you will not be bored.

If you never really wanted to be at SWA, it probably isn't for you.

A bird in the hand...

 

[hypersonic]

I have never really wanted to go to SWA as weird as that sounds. I love the pilots and all, but hate the legs and the cattle care mentality.

There is you answer! You wouldn't fit the profile anyway, empty the spot for someone who really likes the cattle care mentality

 

[FDJ2]

General
Will new hires that are on the list get part of the 2.1B note when it is sold?

Sorry, but no, you have to have been on the DAL system seniority list back on June 1, 2006.

 

[capt. megadeth]

Quite true.
I have never really wanted to go to SWA as weird as that sounds.

It doesn't sound wierd to me. The only reason they are at the top right now is because everyone else took concessions. Don't get me wrong, it's a good company, IMO, but before 9-11, I knew maybe 2 people tops who's #1 choice was SWA. Now all of a sudden, you have all these pilots saying "SWA is the only place I ever wanted to work".....yeah....uh huh....riiiiiight.

Heck, before 9-11, DAL was my first choice.

 

[General Lee]

General
Will new hires that are on the list get part of the 2.1B note when it is sold? I have heard that and was wondering if you could clear that up.

No. FDJ2 is correct.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[General Lee]

Just so you can make an educated decision base on facts.

I know of only 2 captains that left for other air carriers in the past 15 years at SWA.

Average day is about 4 legs/6.5 hours/7.2 TFP.

The company keeps its promises to employees and pays its bills ontime.

If you enjoy flying, you will not be bored.

If you never really wanted to be at SWA, it probably isn't for you.

A bird in the hand...

You only know 2 captains, but many left prior to 9-11. Back then Southwest was not the best choice. Today it is a good choice because of the job security aspect. Back then people were fleeing Fedex too for legacy jobs. How times have changed. If you enjoy flying at Southwest, you will see a lot of it, I mean a lot of it. Just when you think you have had enough, like ALB to LAS nonstop (5.5 hours in a 737 cockpit), they then add a ABQ leg after it. You will fly close to 8 hour a day, whether you want to or not. But hey, that is productive, and why be away from home if you don't have too, unless you want to do turns (many out of ATL---on the 757, 738, and MD88), want to see the world (ex military types may have already seen the world, and ex regional types may want to), or fly something you can actually get up from your seat and do jumping jacks in the cockpit(757 and up). It's up to you, and there is a risk aspect when you go to a legacy, no doubt.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[na4life]

Whichever one you choose, let the other know you would have no problem finding at pinch hitter for their use. Just PM me and I'll be there.

 

[Tejas-Jet]

but six years ago SWA could not beg pilots to come there.

Not the case....6 years ago was 2001. SWA was on track to hire a record number of pilots that year until 9/11 slowed things up. I don't recall SWA having any empty seats on day 1 of New Hire Indoc.

Tejas

 

[General Lee]

Not the case....6 years ago was 2001. SWA was on track to hire a record number of pilots that year until 9/11 slowed things up. I don't recall SWA having any empty seats on day 1 of New Hire Indoc.

Tejas

7 years ago SWA captains were leaving for UAL. That is a fact.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Quimby]

Quite true.
I have never really wanted to go to SWA as weird as that sounds. I love the pilots and all, but hate the legs and the cattle care mentality. I do like the diversity that DAL has to offer. Now if they would open up the DFW base again all would be right in the world.

Listen to the General & yourself and take Delta.

If the General says SWA only flies 5-6 leg days, and you'll NEVER see another a/c type, then it must be true.

 

[Indapool]

"25 min turns and 5-6 legs a day most trips"

Man that is such BS
I haven't seen 5 legs in 3 years
I dont fly 5-6 legs
I don't fly 90+ hours a month
I don't work 18+ days a month
And I don't see enough 25 min turns

I fly 2-3 legs a day
I can fly 0 hours or 100 a month. It's up to me
I average 12 days a month
most turns are 30-35 min sked. More than enough to do whatever it is you need to do.

LBB? I've heard of it...haven't seen it in 4 years. ISP? Great hotel on the golf course..could be worse.
I've done plenty of international as a corp guy. Thought it was overated. But that's just me.
25 min turns? Hell yeah! Get me to the overnight or get me home early. Who wants to be sitting around the hub for 2 hours waiting for the airplane on the last leg of the day? I suppose you could have 1+15 ground time for each leg but then you end up with a 10+ hour day. screw that..I'lll take 2 legs.. 6+30 block..8 hours duty..pays 7.5
Get in get out go home. Period.

My question is what happens during the NEXT downturn? Will DAL put you on the street? WN is not immune to anything but I wouldn't bet against them.
This place isn't for everyone, you will work more over the next 20-25 years.

The secret for happiness is the flexability. Dont want to fly? Get rid of it. Dont like your bid days? Change them. Dont want to fly 5 legs? Trade your trip. Dont like 12 hour overnights? Trade the trip. Want to double your pay? Pick up more trips.
Good luck with your choice, it's a nice problem to have.

 

[General Lee]

Listen to the General & yourself and take Delta.

If the General says SWA only flies 5-6 leg days, and you'll NEVER see another a/c type, then it must be true.

Try actually quoting me next time. I said 5-6 legs MOST TRIPS. I bet there are some trips that have less. Great. And you will see the 737 for your career. Unless they order bigger, but so far that is doubtful, unless they get Space Shuttles....


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Quimby]

Try actually quoting me next time. I said 5-6 legs MOST TRIPS. I bet there are some trips that have less. Great. And you will see the 737 for your career. Unless they order bigger, but so far that is doubtful, unless they get Space Shuttles....


Bye Bye--General Lee

oh....*MOST* trips. My bad.

"Unless they order bigger".....can I quote you on that? I heard Rockwell is firing up the Space Shuttle line again. Screw international! I'm going into orbit.:beer:

 

[ACL65PILOT]

Thanks for the input guys. It is a really difficult decision.
Not sure what I will do IF I get the SWA gig. Maybe I should just go to World. I hear that is a good place to be right now.

 

[Jolly Roger]

Thanks for the input guys. It is a really difficult decision.
Not sure what I will do IF I get the SWA gig. Maybe I should just go to World. I hear that is a good place to be right now.

OK, step away from the computer, you need a little sleep after that thought...

 

[BigMeat]

I was in your shoes but instead of DAL it was CAL PM if you want to discuss it.

Bigmeat

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

Thanks for the input guys. It is a really difficult decision.
Not sure what I will do IF I get the SWA gig. Maybe I should just go to World. I hear that is a good place to be right now.

I could into this at depth, but the summary is as follows--

Between Delta and SWA your decision should have a lot to do with you living in Domicile or not. I'm assuming you've made as best a guess as you can on the viability of SWA or Delta going forward. If not, revisit that. You already have all the PIC you need so "taking a chance" on Delta is not so bad if you don't mind reentering the marketplace if things go south. Remember that upgrades will slow at both in the future. But I do think upgrades may be faster at SWA. BUT...don't assume pay and benefits will increase at Delta or stay high at SWA. Do look hard at expenses at each, as they will come out of your hide at some point in future negotiations.

Don't get wacky and throw World in with the decision. That option entails a lot of risk and not as good a deal pay wise. They don't pick up open time to make ends meet and seniority progression is very slow.

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

7 years ago SWA captains were leaving for UAL. That is a fact.


Bye Bye--General Lee

You're right about that General. Overall smart opinion on SWA. But the 25 min turn thing is a positive, not a negative. pay is 6-7 hours per day. More days off per month.

Interntional is kinda like going to a strip club. Fun and intereting when you are young. A bother if you don't crave all that excitement anymore.

But it depends on how you do international. How long do you layover? SWA layovers go 14-18 hrs.