Originally Posted by Aquaticus

Having worked for both and seen both operations the differences are pretty shocking. In general the feel good, GO Team GO attitude that some LCC sell is a very thin facade over a mediocre airline. The lower pay at the LCC affects every aspect of the airline from baggage handlers to upper management. They aren't willing to pay for talent or competency and so you see many manager new hires at the LCC's be off the street hires with zero industry experience or even worse they promote from within. Pilots and flight attendants are generally good people but very little of our jobs is relevant to a career in route planning, operations, or middle management. They hire nice, friendly people but sometimes they hire quirky and "different" individuals who leave you scratching your head and feeling like you are in the land of misfit toys.

The difference in pay between a LCC and a legacy is in the millions of dollars over the course of the average career (check the UAL pay comparison from a few weeks ago), the flying is more diverse so you can find the aircraft and type of flying you like for your lifestyle, and you aren't the last line of defense in an operation that is barely holding together. The difference in professionalism from a LCC to a legacy is night and day at almost every level and is noticeable in almost every interaction. The LCC I was at tended to micromanage you to fit their idea of culture but when the rubber met the road you were just a number. I had to work there to really understand and appreciate the differences.

I wouldn't group Southwest with other LCC's. That is a different animal and a well run airline.