Tough Choice--SWA or UPS?

[capt. megadeth]

Judging from your avitar, I would say you bare a striking resemblence to Dave Mustane!

Well, I am his sister.....he he

 

[Wise Guy]

I guess I'll chime in. I was offered interviews at SW, AMR, UAL, NW and DAL when I got out of the military in 2000. I chose to stay at UPS and it was the best decision I could have made. Everybody has their preferences as to whether they want to fly people (self loading cargo) or boxes, and FA's...give me a break. If you want to hit on the 5% that might be worth it, then just jumpseat or of course there are the lbfms.

I'll put it this way. UPS is the BEST or the WORST job in the industry depending on the decisions you make. I live in SDF, bid reserve most of the time, and work in the training center on occasion. I am home ALOT and enjoy a great QOL and get to watch my daughter grow up. I can't stand the night sort stuff, so I avoid it. I also know that I would not enjoy multiple legs a day in a 73 for the rest of my career. Would I have been happy at SW? Probably so, but I'm also happy at UPS (minus contract BS)

Now, if you are a junior commuter flying night domestic stuff here this would be the worst job in the industry as far as I'm concerned. But if you live in SDF it gives you many more options to get the kind of flying that fits your preferences.

As far as what is harder on you. I think spending 900 hours a year in the upper atmoshere absorbing radiation will take about as much toll as the occasional night flight. YMMV

 

[Reebo]

" I just don't have a sponser!"

I'll be your sponser,,,havent had a drink in 3 in years

LOL! good one

 

[hoover]

UPS is an almost guarantee whereas SWA is just a good bet. 20 years from now UPS will most certainly be here. With SWA anything could happen. Look at Delta/United 5-7 years ago and look at them now. SWA is entirely different, but the comparison is still valid. The pax industry is fickle (sp).

I wouldn't say that UPS is almost guaranteed. Remember that UPS is not an airline. They are a package company that happens to use airplanes in their business. While the company has been around for upwards of 100 years, the aviation division didn't come along until 1988. Prior to that they didn't own an airplane. It was all contracted out. Nothing to say that it couldn't go back that way

On the other hand, SWA's business is entirely based on moving people in airplanes. Take away the airplanes and you have no business. As long as they can keep doing what they are doing they will be in business. UPS doesn't need airplanes to do what they do.

 

[Wise Guy]

UPS doesn't need airplanes to do what they do.

Basically....wrong.

UPS did own many of the airplanes prior to '88 and used contractors for the aircrews. While it is true that a union busting technique might be to contract out their flying, UPS needs airplanes as much as trucks to do what they do. The airline is by far the most profitable part of the company and UPS must offer time definite air freight to compete with the likes of FDX and DHL.

 

[hoover]

I don't know if they "need" to compete with FDX or DHL. They are overnight freight companies. UPS does a lot of "non-overnight" delivery business. I don't know of anyone else who is doing that. It would certainly impact their business if they got out of the overnight delivery stuff, but not to the point making them unprofitable.

Just my opinion anyway

 

[410dude]

I don't know if they "need" to compete with FDX or DHL. They are overnight freight companies. UPS does a lot of "non-overnight" delivery business. I don't know of anyone else who is doing that. It would certainly impact their business if they got out of the overnight delivery stuff, but not to the point making them unprofitable.

Just my opinion anyway

Your opinion be wrong! FedEx will generate more revenue this year from it's ground side vs. it's express side.

 

[bluemoon]

Days Days Days. Don't die before your time, been there done it. SWA a great airline but so is UPS, may the force be with you, the best of luck.It's your call my friend.

 

[bluemoon]

Backside of the clock is not good for your heath!! I meant to say, but to each his/her their own. In the long run it all pays the same.

 

[jhill]

Still, the lifestyle is way better at UPS, at least that's what I think. If you have a family and only want to fly in the 48, stay with SWA.

What the He!! would you know about the "lifestyle" of a UPS pilot.

 

[WillowRunVortex]

I will make a simple statement that is not a reply, just an observation. Why, when UPS made Billions last year, does it still do the contract tango thing with the pilots? Risk strike? Why? Incredible.

 

[ERfly]

I will make a simple statement that is not a reply, just an observation. Why, when UPS made Billions last year, does it still do the contract tango thing with the pilots? Risk strike? Why? Incredible.

Same reason United management steals the pilots'/flight attendants/etc pensions and then gives themselves 2 million each in bonuses.

 

[buster232]

I wouldn't say that UPS is almost guaranteed. Remember that UPS is not an airline. They are a package company that happens to use airplanes in their business. While the company has been around for upwards of 100 years, the aviation division didn't come along until 1988. Prior to that they didn't own an airplane. It was all contracted out. Nothing to say that it couldn't go back that way

On the other hand, SWA's business is entirely based on moving people in airplanes. Take away the airplanes and you have no business. As long as they can keep doing what they are doing they will be in business. UPS doesn't need airplanes to do what they do.

You can't drive a truck to China

 

[capt. megadeth]

Same reason United management steals the pilots'/flight attendants/etc pensions and then gives themselves 2 million each in bonuses.

No doubt

 

[Widow's Son]

I've heard from a couple of UPS guys that the attitude there by management isn't very pilot friendly.

One guy described a bigwig coming into newhire class and telling the pilots to check their egos at the door because as far as UPS was concerned the guys who are really important to them are the guys driving the trucks and meeting the customers. He said if they had it their way the pilots would make the same as the truck drivers. If and when a nasty negotiation meltdown occurs, freight pilots are a whole lot easier to replace with foreigners or scabs than passenger pilots are.

Given those two choices, I would take SWA in a gnat's heartbeat. They are the cockroaches of airlines. They will be flying ugly painted aircraft a million years from now.

I would be willing to bet that there are more former UPS and FEdEx guys at SWA than the other way around. The job is important but family life is more important and the lifestyle at SWA is way more family friendly.

 

[brownie]

i hate to tell u this , but u have been miss informed or basicaly been B.Sed by your so called friends.
Nobody has the ba...s to come in new hire class and say sh..t like that , i don't care how big of a wig they f...ing are.

 

[semperfido]

I've heard from a couple of UPS guys that the attitude there by management isn't very pilot friendly.

One guy described a bigwig coming into newhire class and telling the pilots to check their egos at the door because as far as UPS was concerned the guys who are really important to them are the guys driving the trucks and meeting the customers. He said if they had it their way the pilots would make the same as the truck drivers. If and when a nasty negotiation meltdown occurs, freight pilots are a whole lot easier to replace with foreigners or scabs than passenger pilots are.

Given those two choices, I would take SWA in a gnat's heartbeat. They are the cockroaches of airlines. They will be flying ugly painted aircraft a million years from now.

I would be willing to bet that there are more former UPS and FEdEx guys at SWA than the other way around. The job is important but family life is more important and the lifestyle at SWA is way more family friendly.

u r nuts

 

[Flechas]

What the He!! would you know about the "lifestyle" of a UPS pilot.

What the he!! woud you know about what I know?

 

[Stifler's Mom]

You guys sound like Lauer and Cruise.

 

[hoya saxa]

Days Days Days. Don't die before your time, been there done it.

Are you posting from beyond the grave?!! Yer freakin' me out man!