Originally Posted by
Wingnutdal
As with anything, there could be unintended consequences to some changes in our PWA, and this is one area. SWA pilots fly every day they are on reserve, which means there is no fat in their system. Which means they require fewer Pilots. Their whole system is set up to require the fewest number of pilots possible.
That last sentence can be misleading - but it is true that SWA's reserve % is far lower than other airlines.
They are able to do this be because they incentivize extra flying - their rigs and TFP pay system make turns productive, and there is a wealth of 2 and 3 day trips. Most people pickup a trip (some pick up more) each month to supplement their line value (100-110 TFP), and can do this without much of a QOL hit since their lines have 17-21 days off.
This leaves very little leftover for the few reserves to fly, but is enough to keep most of them busy. There are those on RSV who don't fly, but it is true that many of them fly every day. The RSV lines are built to 3 on/4 off or 4 on/3 off. RSV days (or 2 and 3 days blocks) can be picked up by line holders allowing the RSVs to pick up trips in open time or make themselves available for extra fly (offered to pilots at straight pay; they can decline if they wish), or VJA (if they call you, you have to fly; pays at 1.5x and sometimes 2x).
I have a cousin over there, and have picked his brain about their system over the years - hence my knowledge of it even though I'm a corporate type.