ROFF, I was an expat before SWA, and I came here dreading the first year. I have to say, it hasn't been nearly as painful as I thought. I just finished my first year recently, and I'd generally do 155-170 TFP's, some months more, some less. I'd shoot for 50-60 TFP's at second year rate as a probie. You get second year pay for anything you pick up beyond your original line value during your first year. This only happens during your first year. For your reference, our current rate is $67.32/TFP the first year and second year rate is $97.34. These rates go up on September 1.

I would end up with around 10-12 days off per month and roughly 19 nights or so in my own bed which is really what I use as a gauge considering I live in my domicile and don't mind working.

There are tricks to get 200+ TFP in a month, but that takes some work, and/or willing to chase OT in other bases, or working through your vacation if it falls during busy months. My record was 175 or so. I've had a classmate on reserve in another domicile who ended up with 190 TFP months staying in his base. It's doable, particularly during busy months. The trick is keeping your block hours low, and there are many ways to do that. Also it really helps a great deal if you live in your domicile.

How much you make here really depends on you... If you take time to learn the system and our contract, are willing to work and live in domicile, you can do really well here. If you don't really care to work more than your line, that's fine too. Unlike overseas, they aren't running a slave ship here. It's really up to you how much you make. That's the beauty of the system.