SWA or DAL

[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.

 

[ACL65PILOT]

The World thing was a joke, but thanks.
I do understand that the SWA thing involves more work on the days that you do work. A 20 hr three day. No big deal I do a 21 hr three day followed by a 6 hr day line most weeks. Yes it does get old, but it pays the bills quite nicely at a regional.
DAL has some of that flying too. You are correct. I would love to fly long haul and ultra long haul if possible. I am not sure if being able to give my wife what she wants is worth waiting for that. DAL is in a position for kiss a$$ and take names. The have a very aggressive business plan and I think that they can make it as a stand along. They may choose not do down the road, but for now I think they can prosper.
The only negative I see about DAL is that I would be commuting out of DFW to ATL. This is bar none one of the most difficult commutes with Dallas closing in early 05. Tack on the fact that I will loose a decade of seniority on my pass bennies. It is not fun
I will of course interview at SWA and make a decision if one is to be made.

 

[Chest Rockwell]

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


Bye Bye--General Lee

You are correct. Two captains total. At least one called to see if he could come back.

And you complain about 25 minute turns? That is an eternity (there were several 15 min. turns when I was hires). You still don't get it. Last I heard most pilots don't get paid for sitting on the gate.

 

[PuffDriver]

The World thing was a joke, but thanks.
I do understand that the SWA thing involves more work on the days that you do work. A 20 hr three day. No big deal I do a 21 hr three day followed by a 6 hr day line most weeks. Yes it does get old, but it pays the bills quite nicely at a regional.
DAL has some of that flying too. You are correct. I would love to fly long haul and ultra long haul if possible. I am not sure if being able to give my wife what she wants is worth waiting for that. DAL is in a position for kiss a$$ and take names. The have a very aggressive business plan and I think that they can make it as a stand along. They may choose not do down the road, but for now I think they can prosper.
The only negative I see about DAL is that I would be commuting out of DFW to ATL. This is bar none one of the most difficult commutes with Dallas closing in early 05. Tack on the fact that I will loose a decade of seniority on my pass bennies. It is not fun
I will of course interview at SWA and make a decision if one is to be made.

One note off the beaten path on this trail: DO NOT take the interview at SWA, get the job, and then turn it down. It will close that door forever, according to my SWA buddies. Find a reason not to take the interview if you are not going to take the job...if offered.

 

[800Dog]

Deltoid here. Born and raised in the ATL, always wanted to fly for DAL and have enjoyed my time at Delta over the past eight years. Never even considered SWA. Not because I thought it was a bad airline. I did not want to commute and wanted options that SWA could not offer. I think I would be perfectly happy at SWA. I like the 737 and love quick turns. Nothing sucks more than long sits. I would interview with SWA and then make the decision. Either way, you will work with alot of great people and just enjoy the ride. Practice saying "wind check" and "we are going as fast as possible". Whichever one sounds most comfortable may help you with your decision If you end up at DAL, first round is on the general!

 

[ACL65PILOT]

The world comment was mean as a joke. I do know a lot of people there that love it though, and make more than enough money.
I do understand what the SWA life style is like. I fly a 21 hr three day followed by a 6hr day line most weeks. It is a lot of work but the money is good for a regional. Now doing it for the next 30 years is a little scary. I do know that I am a very big fan of fewer legs.
I believe that DAL is on it was up. With its business model that is in place it will kick a$$ and take names. USA and B6 must be shaking in their boots about now. I have always wanted to do the ultra long haul and I know that I will get that at some point in the future at DAL. I am just not sure if making my wife live in a state that she hates is worth it. I have commuted and the DFW ATL commute is one of the worst in the industry, especially with no pass seniority. I am giving up a decade worth of seniority if I went to DAL.
Either way I am going to take the interview and make a decision if there is one to be made.