tredding@swa
SWA F/O
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2002
- Posts
- 294
OK,
1st of all... yes I MUST have too much time on my hands, I'll admit that!
2nd - not picking on anyone... so I will leave the names out (figure it out on your own time)...
3rd - I know that everyone's situation is different, some have been under the prior "stop-loss" and other factors (economic, etc.) are also at play... so now that the disclaimer is set, here we go!
MANY of you (far too many on some threads... I think a smell a dead, bloating horse around here somewhere ) have debated the issues surrounding why ANYone would spend $$$ to get a 737 type rating in order to become a SWA pilot. THIS IS NOT ANOTHER PLACE FOR YOU TO WHINE ABOUT PFT!!!!!!!
Well, yes, now that we have that 20/15 vision in our rear-view mirror (concerning the plight of our beloved industry) we COULD go on, and on , and ON about being in the Pool @ SWA is a better place than ALMOST anywhere in the airline biz today.... but let's not go there either.
Yea, yea - I hear ya - GET TO THE POINT!?
Upon looking at my position in the "unoffocial" pool list here (thanks again W8N!! ) I realized that my current #89 position is far above some who interviewed MONTHS before I did! So I looked up and down the list and found a HUGE difference between those who interviewed WITH a 737 type and those who interviewed WITHOUT the type.
"Gee, Tred - what does that mean??"
Well, glad you asked.... for example (read disclaimer above before you flame me) someone who interviewed in June 2001 and did not type until March 2002 is 119 places BELOW me in the pool.....( I interviewed Jan '02 w/ a 737 type) SO, if/when classes start up, AND they run 20 wet souls per class, my fellow poolie who interviewed w/o a type will be 6 classes behind me! (not including the "real" vs. unofficial pool list factoring)
If you look at the recently passed contract extension those who climb out of the pool soon will be blessed with lots of stock options upon starting class. This grant is on a DECLINING scale with later hire dates getting SMALLER grants. This will mean $$$ at some point in the future. My senority number will be lower than those who will start after me, but interviewed BEFORE me without being typed. Therefore, I will upgrade sooner, be off probation sooner, etc., etc.!
I am not going to attempt to put all of this into an actual $ figure, but I think we can all see the value in believing in yourself, making an investment in your future and having the spirit and attitude that drives some people to take a CHANCE!!
On a post WAY back whenever, I put my $.02 in on the whole SWA/PFT dead horse thread.... I broke down the actual cost of my type rating (all expenses included) as $8200. Additionally, IF I get out of the pool before my next birthday, I will have 17 years with SWA. That is 6205 days, OR $1.33 per day for my 737 type.
About the same as buying a cup of coffee at Starbucks!?!?
I believe that the difference in pay and stock options, upgrading sooner, etc. will more than offset my 737 type costs.
For those of you who want to be part of the SWA culture, I highly recommend that you show up to your interview WITH a B-737 type in your pocket. IF you really,really,really,really,REALLY believe that you are what it takes to be part of the team and don't want to work for just ANY airline.... then take a chance, believe in your dream and GO FOR IT!!
For those of you who don't have a burning desire to be @ SWA that is also fine, I have no desire to be a Burger King manager, a police officer, a doctor, an attorney, etc., etc., but I respect those who are because it is your life - do with it what you choose - but for God's sake, be happy, life is short!!
Regards - Tred
1st of all... yes I MUST have too much time on my hands, I'll admit that!
2nd - not picking on anyone... so I will leave the names out (figure it out on your own time)...
3rd - I know that everyone's situation is different, some have been under the prior "stop-loss" and other factors (economic, etc.) are also at play... so now that the disclaimer is set, here we go!
MANY of you (far too many on some threads... I think a smell a dead, bloating horse around here somewhere ) have debated the issues surrounding why ANYone would spend $$$ to get a 737 type rating in order to become a SWA pilot. THIS IS NOT ANOTHER PLACE FOR YOU TO WHINE ABOUT PFT!!!!!!!
Well, yes, now that we have that 20/15 vision in our rear-view mirror (concerning the plight of our beloved industry) we COULD go on, and on , and ON about being in the Pool @ SWA is a better place than ALMOST anywhere in the airline biz today.... but let's not go there either.
Yea, yea - I hear ya - GET TO THE POINT!?
Upon looking at my position in the "unoffocial" pool list here (thanks again W8N!! ) I realized that my current #89 position is far above some who interviewed MONTHS before I did! So I looked up and down the list and found a HUGE difference between those who interviewed WITH a 737 type and those who interviewed WITHOUT the type.
"Gee, Tred - what does that mean??"
Well, glad you asked.... for example (read disclaimer above before you flame me) someone who interviewed in June 2001 and did not type until March 2002 is 119 places BELOW me in the pool.....( I interviewed Jan '02 w/ a 737 type) SO, if/when classes start up, AND they run 20 wet souls per class, my fellow poolie who interviewed w/o a type will be 6 classes behind me! (not including the "real" vs. unofficial pool list factoring)
If you look at the recently passed contract extension those who climb out of the pool soon will be blessed with lots of stock options upon starting class. This grant is on a DECLINING scale with later hire dates getting SMALLER grants. This will mean $$$ at some point in the future. My senority number will be lower than those who will start after me, but interviewed BEFORE me without being typed. Therefore, I will upgrade sooner, be off probation sooner, etc., etc.!
I am not going to attempt to put all of this into an actual $ figure, but I think we can all see the value in believing in yourself, making an investment in your future and having the spirit and attitude that drives some people to take a CHANCE!!
On a post WAY back whenever, I put my $.02 in on the whole SWA/PFT dead horse thread.... I broke down the actual cost of my type rating (all expenses included) as $8200. Additionally, IF I get out of the pool before my next birthday, I will have 17 years with SWA. That is 6205 days, OR $1.33 per day for my 737 type.
About the same as buying a cup of coffee at Starbucks!?!?
I believe that the difference in pay and stock options, upgrading sooner, etc. will more than offset my 737 type costs.
For those of you who want to be part of the SWA culture, I highly recommend that you show up to your interview WITH a B-737 type in your pocket. IF you really,really,really,really,REALLY believe that you are what it takes to be part of the team and don't want to work for just ANY airline.... then take a chance, believe in your dream and GO FOR IT!!
For those of you who don't have a burning desire to be @ SWA that is also fine, I have no desire to be a Burger King manager, a police officer, a doctor, an attorney, etc., etc., but I respect those who are because it is your life - do with it what you choose - but for God's sake, be happy, life is short!!
Regards - Tred