SWA or DAL

[YourPilotFriend]

This is a difficult choice, I would probably to with delta. SW's problems are starting to begin as I predicted. SW is currently operating at a loss and will continue to do so unless something major happens. That something major is to start parking airplanes......good luck.

 

[ASADFW7]

This is a difficult choice, I would probably to with delta. SW's problems are starting to begin as I predicted. SW is currently operating at a loss and will continue to do so unless something major happens. That something major is to start parking airplanes......good luck.

Nostradamus? It is interesting how one pilot can fingure out the state of a company, yet the whole industry can only try to duplicate it.

 

[Flyer1015]

Never say never. You act like SWA will never have problems, always make money no matter what, never go out of business....it's not that easy. I mean, it's track record is good but the minute you get all cocky (like you are) about it, is when you have to worry.

I mean, don't get me wrong, I even told my fiancee to apply because it is a good company but it's not immune from the goings on in the world like you seem to make it sound.

Look at your own sig line before saying that.

"Freight is my business, and business is good!"

Like SWA, even UPS's success can change in a heartbeat. Like you said, never say never...

 

[capt. megadeth]

Look at your own sig line before saying that.

"Freight is my business, and business is good!"

Like SWA, even UPS's success can change in a heartbeat. Like you said, never say never...

Duh! I know that! I don't say never.

How about "Freight is my business, and business is good right now"?

 

[Flyer1015]

Duh! I know that! I don't say never.

How about "Freight is my business, and business is good right now"?

Right on!

 

[SWA/FO]

Duh! I know that! I don't say never.

You never say "yes" either.

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

SW's problems are starting to begin as I predicted. SW is currently operating at a loss and will continue to do so unless something major happens.

You think they are operating at a loss, do you? How did you deduce this one?

 

[atafan]

I remember the day the Pan Am Miami Chief Pilot came and introduced himself to our new hire class, "Congratulations gentlemen, you will all be 747 captains in 10 years!"

My point is, you can't know for sure until you retire what was your best choice. I enjoy reading this board because I see all of these young swinging d*cks tell me why their airline is the best and why their airline will be the best forever. The airline business sucks and is cyclical, PAA was the big dog in the 70s, EAL was the big dog in the 80s, UAL was the big dog in the 90s and now SWA is the big dog - Big Deal! If you make your airline decision solely on current pilot contracts and airline market share you may be disappointed.

Pick the airline that offers what you want, bases, type of flying and QOL, expect that these could all change anyway. Think in 5 - 10 year stages, history proves me right.

I think DAL would probably be the right move only because there will be massive retirement and there hasn't been much hiring lately, but then that is why I chose to fly at Pan Am.

Dart Board Please........

 

[General Lee]

Time for an ex DAL MD-88 driver to chime in. Left Mother Delta last May for SWA. Reasons: Second year pay here is better than six year pay for a narrow body at Delta. Brand new Capts. here are pulling down more than $200k/yr. $80 dollars a month for med and dental versus $400. 7.3 percent 401K match. Profit sharing. 5yr upgrade to Captain. Oh ya and more than 500 guys on the property already behind me with another 600 to come this year. Did six years at Delta. Happy to be out from under the doom and gloom. God knows how long I was looking at for a capt seat. No retirement. Lame 401k match. I can do without international flying. Most guys only do it for a couple of years because they're worn out. Don't need the option of flying different airplanes. I'll give up auto-throttles and vnav for a stable place to work. The switch was a no-brainer for me. PM me if you like.

The doom and gloom has turned around a bit, thanks to hiring and expansion. Does that mean it will never return again? No. But, things are getting better somewhat. The pension payout plus equity claim will result in a chunk of change for us that did stay. The DC fund 9% monthly payout plus 2% match will likely be raised in the future (United has a 15% DC match). The thing about Delta that is better than most airlines is that you have options here, which provide a good QOL after a few years. INTL flying can be replaced with Domestic flying in one bid. We don't have to do 6 legs a day (on the majority of trips) like SWA pilots do. (don't lie now, we all know you work harder than we do) A lot of us don't want to be on a 737 for the rest of our lives, flying multiple legs per day with 25 minute turns. If you don't mind that type of flying, then you made the right choice. I happen to like the auto throttle too, makes it really easy. (but, to throw in a challenge, I click it off at 1000 ft). Good luck to you.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[General Lee]

Nostradamus? It is interesting how one pilot can fingure out the state of a company, yet the whole industry can only try to duplicate it.

We have moved away recently from one class cattle car flying. We have figured out that our best passengers who pay the most for walk up flights enjoy first class seats and service on most of our planes. Even some RJs are getting first class to make them happy.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[FDJ2]

Nostradamus? It is interesting how one pilot can fingure out the state of a company, yet the whole industry can only try to duplicate it.

SWA is still profitable and the Titanic was still floating after it hit the iceberg, but for how long?

I'm not saying that SWA will suffer a similar fate, but the ship is beginning to take on water.

SWA year over year comparisons

Net profit down 18.6%

EPS down 22.2%

Net margin down 32%

Cash down 30.5%

Long term debt up 12.4%

Fuel hedge costs up $9/barrel

4th Q fuel expenses up 41%

Labor costs up 9.7%

 

[canyonblue]

We don't have to do 6 legs a day (on the majority of trips) like SWA pilots do.

You have to be about the biggest moron in aviation. How did you ever find Atlanta for an interview? If I had to fly 6 legs I assure you I would rather do 6 legs at Southwest, then one with you.

I happen to like the auto throttle too, makes it really easy. (but, to throw in a challenge, I click it off at 1000 ft). Good luck to you.
Bye Bye--General Lee

Based on the amount of flying you do I would imagine you would be dangerous to even the birds in the sky without all that equipment backing you up.

 

[canyonblue]

SWA is still profitable and the Titanic was still floating after it hit the iceberg, but for how long?

I'm not saying that SWA will suffer a similar fate, but the ship is beginning to take on water.

SWA year over year comparisons

Net profit down 18.6%

EPS down 22.2%

Net margin down 32%

Cash down 30.5%

Long term debt up 12.4%

Fuel hedge costs up $9/barrel

4th Q fuel expenses up 41%

Labor costs up 9.7%

Be careful what you wish for. SWA in bankruptcy would be all of your worst nightmares rolled into one. Besides, anyone can take all that information you post and get your doom and gloom. Here's one fact you forgot to post. Southwest is getting a new 737 every 10 days and paying CA$H. That's right $42,000,000 that we could leave to the bottom line if we chose to lease our airplanes. Just how many planes does Delta own?

 

[capt. megadeth]

Southwest is getting a new 737 every 10 days and paying CA$H.

I would definitely have a warm and fuzzy feeling knowing that. :beer:

 

[jball2]

General,

The six leg thing is all but history, I know you are just trying to rile SWA/FO but it's getting old. Get your info right. BTW, I live in the ATL and I'd rather commute to SWA than work for DAL. I don't dislike DAL at all. You have some really great folks there. Hell, most of my neighbors work there. I just don't understand how so many pilots can be so proud to work for a company they hate so much. You know exactly what I mean when I say that! I hope things do get better there. Our (ATL) economy depends on it!

 

[shearedshaft]

Upgrade is still 5-6 years

What have you been smoking?

There goes that magical lie again about SWA upgrades...everyone's been spewing it for this entire decade. Nobody has upgraded at SWA in five years since the last century.

For those hired now, it will be 7+ years. Not bad, I have a friend who's halfway there already, but it's not five. Or six.

 

[General Lee]

You have to be about the biggest moron in aviation. How did you ever find Atlanta for an interview? If I had to fly 6 legs I assure you I would rather do 6 legs at Southwest, then one with you.




Based on the amount of flying you do I would imagine you would be dangerous to even the birds in the sky without all that equipment backing you up.

Yeah, whatever jacka#@. Guess what? A lot of people don't want to do multiple legs in the same plane for the rest of their careers, they are already done with the regionals. Quoting directly from one of your FO's --"They work us like dogs..." You do your flying, and I will do mine, which includes options to do a lot of different types of flying. Congrats on your pay, which was a direct result of our pay rates at DL. Someday we will try to get back to your rates, as long as you can hold on to them. You never know.... And I do fly often, just turns mainly, which is ANOTHER thing your company doesn't really offer. (except maybe intra Texas maybe??) Turns to St Thomas and San Juan (which are in the Carribbean, you know, the water below Florida....) from ATL. Almost 8 hours of flying in a day, and still time to get on Flightinfo---every darn day. C ya.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[canyonblue]

Yeah, whatever jacka#@. Guess what? A lot of people don't want to do multiple legs in the same plane for the rest of their careers, they are already done with the regionals. Quoting directly from one of your FO's --"They work us like dogs..." You do your flying, and I will do mine, which includes options to do a lot of different types of flying. Congrats on your pay, which was a direct result of our pay rates at DL. Someday we will try to get back to your rates, as long as you can hold on to them. You never know.... And I do fly often, just turns mainly, which is ANOTHER thing your company doesn't really offer. (except maybe intra Texas maybe??) Turns to St Thomas and San Juan (which are in the Carribbean, you know, the water below Florida....) from ATL. Almost 8 hours of flying in a day, and still time to get on Flightinfo---every darn day. C ya.


Bye Bye--General Lee

Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah uke: uke: uke:

 

[General Lee]

General,

The six leg thing is all but history, I know you are just trying to rile SWA/FO but it's getting old. Get your info right. BTW, I live in the ATL and I'd rather commute to SWA than work for DAL. I don't dislike DAL at all. You have some really great folks there. Hell, most of my neighbors work there. I just don't understand how so many pilots can be so proud to work for a company they hate so much. You know exactly what I mean when I say that! I hope things do get better there. Our (ATL) economy depends on it!

That is a lie. I know a SWA pilot and he tells me about his trips. He is based in OAK, and he read me off the long 4 day, which included one day-- OMA--STL--MCO--BWI--ALB. The day before he went OAK--LAX---LAS--ABQ--PHX--OMA. Ridiculous. No thanks. I usually go ATL--STT--ATL, and enjoy the tropical breeze for the 1 hour sit down there. It really is nice.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[General Lee]

Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah uke: uke: uke:

My thoughts exactly. Thanks.


Bye Bye--General Lee