Originally Posted by shoelu

There is an unwritten rule at SWA that the Captain must pay for all cocktails during your probationary year. It is pretty much universally followed. My first year I only had 1 Captain not pay for my drinks and I think he just didn't realize I was still a probie because it was very near the end of my first year. The majority would not let me pay for anything including food at the layover or between legs on a food run that first year. It is a great tradition and really made the first year pay cut a little easier to handle since you pocketed virtually all your per diem. I will be happy to pay it forward when I upgrade (if that ever happens).