SWA (phx or las)

[flybynav1965]

Hey guys.

i'm a SWA poolies that will be going to class very soon. We eventually plan on moving to either vegas or phoenix, and make that my domicile of choice. i realize it make take awhile to get to phoenix, and i'm not worried about.

my questions are, in the big scheme of things:

which base has the best trips? ie good paying 3 day ones?

do both bases flow back east?

which is easiest for parking and getting to the crewlounge?

which base is easiest to non-rev out of and into?

the wife and i are trying to come to a decision as to where to move, and these answers will help decide.

cheers,
Nav

 

[FlyinGuy]

Non reving to Vegas????.....Good luck...most flights are full on all carriers. Pick where you want to live and go there. Welcome to SWA.

 

[bravodude]

Its too early to tell. We just had the first bid and its not finished by a long shot. People will wait and see where they fall in the next couple of months and then make their choice. I talked to Chief Pilot the other day and he said to give it six months before the dust settles and then we will see how if vegas is senior or junior. As for the trips they are basically the same in all the bases, you have a lot of variety in what you want I think the texas bases have the texas two step but generally you have a good mix of short and medium haul flying in every base.

 

[Charlie Brown]

FWIW I know the housing market in PHX is terrible right now. A couple of buddies are trying to sell out there now and not even one showing. I can't say for LAS.

Either way, good luck.

 

[psysicx]

LAS housing is doing worse then PHX. 1 in 27 is in foreclousre. I know a Airways pilot who commuted to Vegas and had no problems.

 

[califlyer]

Doesn't matter which base you go to because you'll still have to do LBB overnights.

There, that's one less post for the General.

 

[bravodude]

Doesn't matter which base you go to because you'll still have to do LBB overnights.

There, that's one less post for the General.

Thanks we might as well get it over with early.

 

[dashocho]

In the short term, I'd vote Vegas for a junior person. One BIG thing to think of......the taxes. I'm also betting Vegas will be a bigger commuter base than PHX which means more sick calls and better pick ups than PHX. I've heard the parking is not going well there as well as the set up in the short term. If you bid trips that end Sat pm, you'll always be golden if you're net a commuter. You'll always get your pick, then you can trade into the days you want. My best advice though, commute in the short term, wait for the dust to settle, then chose. Best of luck and welcome!!!!!!!

PS, I'm PHX based till either DEN becomes a base or I retire FWIW

 

[Flyarcticcat]

PS, I'm PHX based till either DEN becomes a base or I retire FWIW

How many people do you know that are full time commuters? Is this something that people do for 30 years or is it just to hard?

 

[SWA/FO]

........I'll take the one on the left!!!

How many people do you know that are full time commuters? Is this something that people do for 30 years or is it just to hard?

about 47% of the Pilots commute.

 

[mdf]

........I'll take the one on the left!!!



I'll settle for the one in the white shirt!

 

[General Lee]

Doesn't matter which base you go to because you'll still have to do LBB overnights.

There, that's one less post for the General.

Great post! Thank you for acknowledging the fact that there is a very good chance that someday at SWA you will have to fly to LBB. (With 13 flights a day there) Man alive, NO THANKS.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[SWA/FO]

LBB overnight or Chapter 11, which would you rather go through? One last 13 hours and the other last 18 months. You don't lose money buy going to LBB.

Give me LBB anyday.

 

[RollinOnMy22sYo]

I'd gladly spend a night in Lubbock vs Lagos.

 

[Eaglepuke]

What is wrong with LBB? You can go to Bleachers and get a cold one and watch drunk college girls try to play pool. Good times.

 

[General Lee]

I'd gladly spend a night in Lubbock vs Lagos.

Really? Probably so. But, you have to admit, the Lagos hotel probably is the nicest (?) in the country for security reasons. Air France and other European airlines probably layover there too. Thank gawd I am too senior for that route (it begins this Fall I believe). Hey, congrats to you Southwest guys for your new service from Denver to Amarillo starting in November. I would bid that in a heartbeat! Sweet!


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[General Lee]

LBB overnight or Chapter 11, which would you rather go through? One last 13 hours and the other last 18 months. You don't lose money buy going to LBB.

Give me LBB anyday.

That literally makes no sense. We have been out of Chap 11 for a while now, and the upgrades and movement has been swift, actually increasing pay. And, you keep forgetting that thanks to BK I got about $240,000 in a claim sale, which came out to $88,000 in my 401K(06 and 07 contributions), and after taxes an additional $85,000. Even our bottom guy who was furloughed the whole time got $180-200,000. Not bad. We also just got contributions to our pension dump, which gave me an additional $50,000. That is in addition to our DC plan in our names now. You seem to keep forgetting that. That's ok, you are rotting away in LBB, MAF, AMA, or HRL I bet.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Tanker Clown]

That literally makes no sense. We have been out of Chap 11 for a while now, and the upgrades and movement has been swift, actually increasing pay. And, you keep forgetting that thanks to BK I got about $240,000 in a claim sale, which came out to $88,000 in my 401K(06 and 07 contributions), and after taxes an additional $85,000. Even our bottom guy who was furloughed the whole time got $180-200,000. Not bad. We also just got contributions to our pension dump, which gave me an additional $50,000. That is in addition to our DC plan in our names now. You seem to keep forgetting that. That's ok, you are rotting away in LBB, MAF, AMA, or HRL I bet.


If Ch 11 is such a good deal then why doesn't everyone go through it. You sure talked a good game as Delta was trying to stay out of it.

I still don't think you ever answered my question about Song. Do they or don't they overnight in LBB?

By the way, I have 3 friends that are in new hire classes at Delta right now that are also in the pool for SWA. They are looking forward to walking on Delta for one of those beautiful LBB overnights. (That can't be good for the bottom line...but then again, maybe if times get tough Delta can go back and hide out in Ch 11).

I wonder if they'll have to share a crew bus with guys from Song?

 

[RollinOnMy22sYo]

In an attempt at being as fair as possible, here are links to the various recreational activities available to crews overnighting in LBB and Lagos,

Direct from the Nigerian Government website under "Beaches and resorts" I particularly like the "Fun seekers at the Eleko Beach" picture. What a happening time in Lagos.

http://www.lagosstate.gov.ng/SitesScenes/SiteScenes2.htm


Now for your typical LBB entertainment. I've done a lot of serious academic work at this particular library.

http://www.librarybars.com/lubbock/gallery.php

 

[328dude]

That literally makes no sense. We have been out of Chap 11 for a while now, and the upgrades and movement has been swift, actually increasing pay. And, you keep forgetting that thanks to BK I got about $240,000 in a claim sale, which came out to $88,000 in my 401K(06 and 07 contributions), and after taxes an additional $85,000. Even our bottom guy who was furloughed the whole time got $180-200,000. Not bad. We also just got contributions to our pension dump, which gave me an additional $50,000. That is in addition to our DC plan in our names now. You seem to keep forgetting that. That's ok, you are rotting away in LBB, MAF, AMA, or HRL I bet.


Bye Bye--General Lee

Yea, that was the cheap route for the company. Would have been worth 3 times that if your MEC didn't sell you out. But, that's another thread. You got bought.

Just to be clear, your saying that your payout is worth more than if everything would have stayed status quo and you fought to keep it? Just want to make sure I'm hearing you right?