Originally Posted by
Sniper
Nobody has posted it on this forum, just like nobody has posted the average SWA FO income - probably b/c nobody knows for sure. I can't fix your problem with the lack of an AirTran # (I don't know it either), but the SWA #'s are known.
Captain Carl Kuwitzky and SWAPA wrote a packet for AirTran guys about Southwest and SWAPA during the 'courtship' phase. SWAPA #'s about themselves, which I've quoted below, are certainly pretty accurate:
- Industry leading B737 Pay Rates. SWA Captains average
over $230,000 and First Officers average over $140,000.
- Approximately the last five years, SWA pilots averaged 105
“Trips For Pay” (TFP) per month, or about 1260 TFP per year.
- Approximately the last five years, SWA pilots
averaged just over 18 days off per month.
The most junior ATN CA on the property has a min guarantee of almost $138K ($151 x 76 hours x 12 months). If this CA can pick up just
2 hours of credit per month, he/she too is "over $140,000".
The
most junior ATN CA makes at least as much as the 'average' SWA FO. An "average, fly your line ATN captain" makes more, since this CA has a higher hourly rate, flies a line, and likely enhances their month for some additional pay, just as the average SWA pilot does. Remember, the 'average' ATN CA is around 25% on list @ ATN. Thus, when this 'average' CA becomes a SWA FO, they will almost certainly take a pay cut. In the same way, those ATN CA's who do get back to the left seat at SWA will see a pay raise for the same reasons - the hourly pay rate differences.
Those are the facts, backed up by independently verifiable numbers. Please respect the results.
The pay comparison must be between ATN CA pay and SWA FO with a comparable longevity, not the "average" ATN CA and the "average" SWA FO. We have to look at what that given ATN CA will be paid when he/she moves across.
Once again, lets do the math...
SWA FO: 1260 "trips" a year times $125 (7 year pay--approx longevity of a junior ATN CA) is $157,500
ATN CA: $151 x 76 x 12 = $137,712. 78 hours a month: $141,336
Take it up a 12 year captain at $165: $165 x 78 x12 = $154,440. Still less than the 12 year SWA FO: 1260 trips x $132 = $166,320.
I'm not factoring in how many days a month the ATN CA has to work in order to get earn that 78 hours credit vs the SWA FO to earn 105 trips.
Everyone SAYS its a paycut, and claims it is a given fact, but, again, show us the math.