A couple of areas where Southwest seems to shine are the bases and the work rules or rather the ability to make extra cash.

I live in my base and didn't have to move when I got hired here. I commuted a whopping 3 months before getting a base of my choice. My family is all rooted here so I don't need to travel to see them.

As an FO here, playing the game, you can make well into 200's, with top end guys if the TA passes, will make close to if not over 300k towards the end of this contract given our work rules. And that's on the FO side.

So would I consider my career a failure because I'm at Southwest and not United or Delta or Fedex? Not by a long shot.

Some things to keep in mind too:

Our reserve lines are built to 15 days or 16 in a 31 day month. 18 days at other airlines.
Our bid lines are built up to 12 to 14 work days per month depending on how many days in the month. 15-16 days at other airlines.

Theres so much more to this business than upgrade times. Yeah, people can say what they want about this being a "regional" with Boeings... but unlike at the real regionals, I can make a damn fine living as an FO at this "regional" and enjoy my family and QOL. I've flown literally all over the world as a bizjet captain in my previous job for a number of years and missed out on a lot of quality time with kids and family... so being a "regional" pilot with a Southwest paycheck suits me just fine.

It's all really a matter of perspective.

BTW... voted NO on TA2.