Congrats on the PBS success. I constantly was required to have 88 hours for my line to complete. I finally just started bidding some trips I wanted and locals to post or call in for. The main point was that there was no idea of what hours were required for your line to complete and I would always lose 2 or 3 day trips that were replaced with 4 day trips so PBS could add an additional 3 or 4 hours to my line. I learned how to bid around the constraints but SW PBS is a joke and help line and other "support" was just as bad.

I liked the Delta product and flying Delta trips. My option was to upgrade and commute, or switch to 175 Delta flying that I would have to commute to. I made the decision if I was going to commute, it may as well be to commute for mainline flying. It was nice that I didn't need to take a paycut for training (actually I think I made more in training than I did at SW) and I was able to get a seniority number while there is a hiring boom.

Bottom line is I didn't fly for another regional so I can't say how bad they are. And SW list of bases makes it an attractive option for almost anyone. The reason they don't offer more bonuses is they are able to fill classes without them. But everyone there would just rather point to how bad it is at other places than make things better at SW.

I was happy to make a career at SW when I first started but soon realized that SGU doesn't want people to stick around. I will say I am surprised at the number of people who I considered "lifers" that have reached out to me for suggestions to move on. Of course things will be better at mainline but that shouldn't mean you can't make improvements there. IMO it is pretty disgusting to watch what INC is doing to ASA/XJT. It is possible to have a contract with your employees and be successful. Just not at SW.