Here's some education:

We're gonna compare Delta's rates because they are the only numbers I have that are pre-concessionary for the legacies.

Pre-concessionary Contracts

DAL 737-300 (low end) and 737NG (high end)

Yr | -CA- | -FO-
12 | $257 | $175
01 | $212 | $56
Awesome pension and 401(k)


SWA 737 (all types) pay when DAL's above pay rates were effective

Yr | -CA- | -FO-
12 | $179 | $118
01 | $158 | $47
401(k)


Yep, you read that right - a topped out FO at DAL was making within 2% of what a topped out SWA CAPTAIN was making!

==============================================

After concessions (current rates):
DAL 737-300 (low end) and 737NG (high end)

Yr | -CA- | -FO-
12 | $157 | $103
01 | $139 | $49
401(k)


SWA 737 (all types) pay (current rates):

Yr | -CA- | -FO-
12 | $198 | $131
01 | $174 | $52
401(k)




So I ask you, is SWA the highest paid because they raised the bar, or because others fell considerably? SWA built their airline off of their employee's low paid butts. There is no high horse for them to be on.