SWA TV show

[SWPA Pilot]

I just watched the SWA TV show for the first time. I came to three conclusions;

1. Gate agents aren't paid enough.

2. I'm all for pilots carrying guns as FFDO. It is probably a good idea that gate agents don't pack heat.

3. It makes cargo flying look like a great option.

 

[SWA/FO]

3. It makes cargo flying look like a great option.

Yep...its great looking like your in your 60's when you are actually in your 40's.

 

[futurepizzaguy]

Here's 3 more...

5. There's not much difference between Greyhound passengers and Southwest's

6. Descending below 18,000 feet at less than 220 knots outside Baltimore can actually back up traffic and annoy many folks

7. Trying to sound just a tad too happy and cool on the radio doesn't always cover up the fact you just flew 8 boring legs in one day

 

[Big Beer Belly]

Yep...its great looking like your in your 60's when you are actually in your 40's.

Let's see ... at UPS I'll work less than 50 days and block less than 150 hours this YEAR ... and I'll compare W-2's with you any day. If I feel so inclined I can change aircraft whenever I wish (Oops ... sorry), I can bid any number of International pairings (Oops ... sorry), or I can fly nothing but Honolulu and drink beer and chase bikinis on those 24-96 hour layovers (Oops ... sorry). Meanwhile, competition is bearing down on you from all sides, your fuel hedges are waning, your CEO says pay cuts in the future are a real possibility (greater productivity in the interim) ... well, I guess I'm just a little confused about your hostile attitude toward the cargo boys there fella? SWA appears (to an outsider at least) to have a few challenges ahead.

BBB

 

[HoursHore]

I can bid any number of International pairings (Oops ... sorry), or I can fly nothing but Honolulu and drink beer and chase bikinis on those 24-96 hour layovers
BBB

These type of layovers directly contribute to the advanced age of my liver, thats for sure.

 

[Mr Hat]

Let's see ... at UPS I'll work less than 50 days and block less than 150 hours this YEAR ... and I'll compare W-2's with you any day.

12 year CA UPS $190/hr
12 year CA SWA $190/hr
Profit sharing UPS None
Profit sharing SWA yes

Not saying UPS is a bad place to be but you can probably hold off on the W2 contest. Both are great places to work, they are entirely different kinds of flying....altogether... (insert line here)
It all depends on what you feel you would enjoy more.

 

[sf260pilot]

Wrong side of the clock+wrong side of the airport.

 

[HoursHore]

Wrong side of the clock+wrong side of the airport.

Versus hauling people from the wrong side of middle class.

 

[sf260pilot]

My statement came from one of your brethren at FedEX.

 

[SWA/FO]

:beer:
Lets see....... did I mention MONEY in the ABOVE POST? NO. I mentioned that flying freight is hard on your body.... SEE, I KNOW BECAUSE I USED TO FLY FREIGHT. So lets review...flying freight is hard on your body.

Is that the comeback: "I may look 20 years older then I am, but I make more money then you and I drink beer in Maui???" Nothing like being away from your family for 96 hours..

The money is good if you can wake up in time and get to the store while they are still open to spend some of it.

 

[SWA/FO]

Yeah, we even haul a bunch of Freight Dogs in the back of our planes.

Hey pizzaguy, you saying we are slowing up your diamond jet in BWI?

 

[HoursHore]

My statement came from one of your brethren at FedEX.

Oh I have no doubts about the veracity of your statement, nor do I have any about mine.

 

[FNG_that's me]

Hey everyone, QUIT CHASING YOUR TAILS and realize that some people prefer to do a different kind of flying than you do. Pretty much everything above is accurate, although MR. Hat didn't account for UPS having a pension to counteract SWA's profit sharing.

Some folks like lots of legs/day, others prefer one leg and a long layover. It might not be what you like, but life is about choices. Just because someone chooses something that you don't like doesn't make them wrong.

The 'wrong side' comments above were pretty funny, perhaps that can be the new focus of the thread...

 

[semperfido]

Versus hauling people from the wrong side of middle class.

that is funny :beer:

..coarse i are one :crying:

 

[Big Beer Belly]

12 year CA UPS $190/hr
12 year CA SWA $190/hr
Profit sharing UPS None
Profit sharing SWA yes

Not saying UPS is a bad place to be but you can probably hold off on the W2 contest. Both are great places to work, they are entirely different kinds of flying....altogether... (insert line here)
It all depends on what you feel you would enjoy more.

UPS has a 975 hour minimum annual guarantee ... what's SWA's? UPS has an 11% B plan ... how about SWA's? UPS has a 1% A plan ... how about SWA's? Oh forgot to mention it's been 8 years since our last contract was signed ... that might have something to do with this equation (let's compare again after our TA).

You see ... at SWA you have no choice ... reserve or line holders both fly their butts off. Not so at UPS and FedEx ... reserves are generally about 4 days of work per month. Even international line holders have cake schedules and awesome layovers compared to the average line slug at SWA. Would you rather have 24-96 hours off in Hong Kong, Singapore, Beijing, Cologne, Paris, London, Sydney, Vienna ... or 10-14 hours off in Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, or Oklahoma City?

My point is that you have a CHOICE at UPS and FedEx, and don't at SWA! To each his own, I suppose. Again I ask ... what's up with all the negative vibes toward us lowly freight boys?

BBB