What would you do ?

[typhoonpilot]

A friend of mine just finished his upgrade at one of the leading international carriers in the Middle East. In the same week Southwest finally called him ( application submitted in January 2002 ) for an interview. He is quite happy where he is right now and really likes the 777 as well as the route structure and the middle term ( next 5 to 10 years ) prospects of the company. The pay could be better but the benefits are pretty decent with the company contributing 12 % of salary into a pension scheme. The question is; with 20 years left to go would you give up a left seat in a growing profitable company to go to work in the right seat at Southwest ?

Typhoonpilot

 

[scoreboard]

If you have to ask...

 

[enigma]

NO, otherwise just tell him to flip a coin. You know that luck has more to do with a good career than anything else.

enigma

 

[justApilot]

gut check

 

[TonyC]

Quality of Life

The single most important consideration, in my estimation, is quality of life. What that means to him is different from what it means to anybody else. He, and only he, is uniquely qualified to render that judgment.

How does he enjoy the time that he has off - - free from duty? How does he enjoy his lifestyle? Does he enjoy the location where he spends his free time? Does he enjoy the time with family and friends? Is he happy? miserable? content? or just gutting it out?

Some guys that have those jobs are enduring substantial inconveniences in their lives in order to enjoy a lucrative monetary reward. Their patience for the latter will wear thin at some point. If he's one of those, the sooner he gets to SWA the better. On the other hand, if he's perfectly content with his lifestyle, (not just the part-time flying job and the cool airplane) then he should probably stay.

my 2 cents...

 

[SWA/FO]

Go to SWA and interview. Then if offered the job - decide what to do.

I've never heard of anybody quitting their job just for a shot at an interview. SWA might not want him?? Then it will be an easy choice

 

[ultrarunner]

Like my pappy used to say...

"... you can't turn down what's not offered..."

 

[typhoonpilot]

If you have to ask...

Thought that might be one of the replys and it does hold some validity but asking advice is a smart thing to do. It helps to bring up points that may not have been thought of by the person in question.

Go to SWA and interview. Then if offered the job - decide what to do.

Oh yes, but what if you decide not to take it at this time, but maybe three years down the road change your mind. How do Southwest view that ? Would it maybe not be better to politely decline the interview at this time and still have a chance later ?

Some guys that have those jobs are enduring substantial inconveniences in their lives in order to enjoy a lucrative monetary reward. Their patience for the latter will wear thin at some point.

This is the old adage of the two buckets, the **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED**e bucket and the money bucket. When one of them fills up you move on. Neither is close to full at this time.


Typhoonpilot

 

[typhoonpilot]

I can't believe that got censored, I used the English version of the word Sh!t.

 

[Heavy Set]

Have him go to the interview and see what happens.... If he goes to Southwest, at least he nows has 777 time...

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

If the decision seems hard to make there is more here than meets the eye.

Apparently your friend likes what he/she does, where they do it, and who they are doing it for. If all these are true, he should stay there.

But if you want to live in the U.S., fly only domestic and have all the protections of a big, stable U.S. airline go to SWA (and no that is not always an oxymoron). I don't think going to SWA in '04 will be like the debacle of getting hired at Delta, UAL, or AA in '00. SWA will hire oodles of folks in '05 and '06 based on aircraft growth AND retirements.

This, of course, assumes a successful interview.

 

[pin727]

The question is tuff but it all depends if your friend like his/her job and where he/she is... also if SWA called for interview it is not a sure thing.

good luck to your friend!!!!

 

[SWA/FO]

SWA baby!!!!

Who wants to live in the middle east, anyway?? - school system sucks?

At SWA you can live in Dallas, Houston, Oakland, Orlando, Phoenix, Chicago or Baltimore!!! Also soon to be announced Tampa (you heard it here first kids) oh and Philly too..

 

[mobie]

SW

Remember after the interview, if all goes well, swim in the pool for up to 2 years. Make the choice when that call comes. Mobie

 

[Hose A. Jiminez]

Who wants to live in the middle east, anyway?? - school system sucks?

yeah... school system
lack of potable water
electricity
paved roads
suicidal lunatics with towels on their heads.

 

[TexaSWA]

Re: SW

Remember after the interview, if all goes well, swim in the pool for up to 2 years. Make the choice when that call comes. Mobie

Just so your friend has accurate information if he interviews and is successful he will only wait a couple of months for a class.

Barring another unforseen national disaster at the hands of the lunatics Hose was talking about.

 

[iluvetops]

go for it

if i had the same opportunity i would grap the first available interview!!!!!

 

[JJJ]

Congrats on the upgrade typhoonpilot

 

[canyonblue]

Who wants to live in the middle east, anyway?? - school system sucks?

Yea, but your kids get 2 weeks off during jihad!

 

[wil]

Ah, 2 weeks off for Jihad- that's in the spring right? I would consider SWA not just for the stability but I fear that the balloon is about to go up in the middle east. Good luck with your decision- Cheers, Wil