Salty, I didn't know how long you've been at UPS. Since you were hired there prior to 9/11, I congratulate you on your foresight in going freight, but I knew many who had the choice and none took your path. Even know a couple who left FedEx to go fly pax. Two guys I knew back in '90 were disappointed when they had to go to FedEx and UPS respectively. Guess they'll have the last laugh.
Like I said above, I didn't know any who passed on a legacy for freight or SWA. Of the guys I knew who were furloughed in the 90s by AAL or DAL and picked up by UPS or SWA, most of the guys who went UPS went back to their passenger carriers, while none of the the guys who went to SWA went back (maybe SWA required you to resign your seniority number before hiring you). That doesn't change today's reality where I'd place cargo at the top of my wish list and probably would put SWA at the top of the pax based on stability (Of course since they're the only ones hiring, they look even better). However, as Wasatch Phantom says, change is constant in this industry. As far as my background: Navy to CAL.
XHooker,
I know all the folks who were legacy bound only, was one of them. Know the military mentality was legacy first, etc. Then the furloughs hit in early 90's. I was still active. The furlough ones recommended SWA/FEDEX/UPS if wanted more stability. I got out and got an offer at COEX with the flow through. This when CO just coming out of bankruptcy. Great confirmation of the furloughed folks input on career ambitions. I really enjoyed my time, have many buds who flowed through and are happy enough at CO. I decided to follow my brain rather than my early heart of legacy. JO was at COEX and really made it much simpler <g>even though thought GB was pretty smart.
Got lucky really by serendipity as much as anything.
XHooker (now I get it) Maybe it's a generational thing. When I got out of the Navy (summer 2001) there were lots of guys going Fedex, SWA, AMR, Northwest, UPS, and Delta. More went to SWA than any of the legacies at the time. Things change I guess, that's why I was surprised by the comment. Nothing wrong with Continental, I'd love to have a job there too.
Last edited by LuvJockey : 08-13-2008 at 06:51 PM.
Common misconception about SWA is the 15 day sched. That is our contract max. Most lines are less than that. In Phx for the month of Sept for example, more than half of the 420 avail FO lines were 12 on 18 off (30 day month). 10 of them were 11/19.
We're a little short on the FO side, so giving away trips is almost impossible right now. We have no vehicle to simply "drop" trips unless it's for mil or some other official business.
You are free to work as much as you legally can, and I think that's why people think we all work so much is because many pilots do pick up everything they can.
Common misconception about SWA is the 15 day sched. That is our contract max. Most lines are less than that. In Phx for the month of Sept for example, more than half of the 420 avail FO lines were 12 on 18 off (30 day month). 10 of them were 11/19.
We're a little short on the FO side, so giving away trips is almost impossible right now. We have no vehicle to simply "drop" trips unless it's for mil or some other official business.
You are free to work as much as you legally can, and I think that's why people think we all work so much is because many pilots do pick up everything they can.
Is the 18 off like this in most bases? I would like to make it to HOU and not sure how the senority goes and if it would be a few years before 12/18 schedule could happen?
Hey, if you go - good luck. Did you take a COLA? Congrats on the new job. and of course, I hope you're senior to me, which 95% of the pilots are. It's too bad that CAL keeps funding type ratings for SWA applicants rather than make it worthwhile to stick around. Can't blame ya...
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How copper wire was invented: two pilots fighting over a penny.
Flyby, as of right now, I could hold a line in Houston and have been with the company for almost 16 months. BWI and MCO are much more junior. Things change quickly, but that's where it stands right now. Also, every time I've gotten a weekend schedule, I've been able to ELITT(our trading program w/the company) to weekdays only. That includes adding or subtracting days from my schedule. Really, once you hold a line, your sched. is/can be very flexible. Hope that helps.
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Fox - 2.....Kill the bandit in a left-hand turn.
It would be nice to hear from a few guys/gals who have worked both places.
Assuming you are left at the bottom at SWA for along time on reserve should hiring stop what is life like as a reservist. Can you still move days? I understand it's 15 off and you can request to fly or not fly? Can you plan on those trips the day before to manage commuting? Can they move your days off?
Thanks, that is some good info to chew on. Can anybody can eloborate more like Southbound asked above? It would be awesome for apples to apples comparison.
Last edited by flybynuts : 08-16-2008 at 03:57 PM.
--Not 100% sure what you mean by this, but you cannot trade a reserve trip for a trip the company has. You are free to trade with other FOs and even free to give away your trips to other FOs (good luck with that, generally only 1 day blocks get taken)
Quote:
Originally Posted by southbound
I understand it's 15 off and you can request to fly or not fly?
--You can select a preference of FLY or PASS but if they have trips you will be flying. As a commuter if you select FLY the schedulers seem to be pretty good about putting a trip on your board the night before so you will know what you might have. BUT, you still have to be in domicile at the start of your Reserve Availability Period [RAP]. So if you are on PM reserve and they put a trip on your board for LAS starting at 1800, you still have to be in LAS at the RAP start time of 1045L, for example.
Quote:
Originally Posted by southbound
Can you plan on those trips the day before to manage commuting?
--You can pretty much plan on flying your reserve days. If you only have a 1 day block or it's Christmas, you may not get used. Other than that, you will fly. The nice thing is that it's easy to beat the guarantee and the hotel gets paid for if you are on a trip (plus perdiem).
Quote:
Originally Posted by southbound
Can they move your days off?
--Once the bid comes out and you get your reserve line, they can't move it. They also can't call you for Junior Available. You can elect Volunteer JA or Extra Fly if you choose to.
Thanks Shredder...you da man...or woman! What I meant by moving days,.... say you are working sun through Thurs and want to work Sat through Wednesday, do pilots have the ability to move days around a little after the bid award comes out? Not that this has much weight in anyone's decision, just curious.
). However, as Wasatch Phantom says, change is constant in this industry. As far as my background: Navy to CAL.
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