Sailing,

You say that Pilot productivity is measured in block hours, and I sort of agree with that but think that ultimately revenue is more important. We run the airline to produce revenue not block hours.

Block hours are a means to an end - which is revenue. Part of the reason we fly less block hours is because of our complicated fleet. This complicated fleet also allows us to produce more revenue. You cannot discount the revenue saying that it is because widebodies produce more revenue and then have our inefficiencies count against us - more training, IOE, 4 Pilot rigs etc.

The bottom line is that Delta Pilots on average produce more revenue per year than Southwest Pilots. Yes, part of that is our fleet makeup but that is exactly why Southwest Pilots fly more block hours. One aircraft type greatly increases pilots ability to maximize annual block hours.

Delta Pilots are more efficient at producing revenue than Southwest.

OBTW - The last time I ran this calculation we were much much closer to Southwest - the "revenue gap" is widening.


Scoop