To be fair, I don't see any chance of UAL/DAL/AA going bankrupt anytime soon, nor do I see any labor disputes on the horizon like EAL had (ironically WE are the ones headed for a labor dispute). Their management seems to be trying to reach across the proverbial aisle and show their gratitude for the pilots' share of making record profits and doling out big raises unlike Lorenzo did back in the days you speak of. Eastern had a lot of debt, poor labor relations, and of course they had Lorenzo. Anything could happen in the next 20-30 years, but I think any pilot entering the 121 world is a whole lot better off at the big 3 than here. Comparing coming to JetBlue instead of a legacy today to going to SWA instead of EAL in 1982 is not a comparison worth mentioning since times and situations are so different.

Percentage movement on the seniority list at those 3 is, without argument from anyone, way better than here due to retirements and so many different fleets/bases. Those 3 airlines are making more money than we are. Those 3 airlines have way better networks than we have. Those 3 airlines have way better on time performance than we have. Those 3 airlines have better culture than we have at this point with management leading us to a labor dispute. Oh and those 3 airlines have way better bases than we have. Oh and I can't forget the most important thing to us pilots...they all have better contracts/pay/time off than we have.

Maybe when hybrid electric planes, potato farms, and customer service apps are more important than all those things listed above, I'll agree with your statement and comparison to EAL/SWA.