Originally Posted by
SlipKid
FWIW..........
In previous 5-6 years, as a 20-25% Capt. in domicile, I've averaged around 10 TFP per day of work, over the year.
This year is, by far, the worst I've ever seen it since I was very junior. I am averaging low 7s tfp per day this year. For those of you playing along at home, that's close to a $700 per day pay cut.
Next month, for the first time this year, I'll break 100 TFP. Barely. And I have to fly 9 days of "actual work", in a vacation month, no less, to do it. In JULY!
Compared to last year and at least 4-5 summers prior, I am taking, roughly, a $30-$40k pay cut, just between May and August. I'd have to fly 6 extra days per month (sound familiar?) to make that up this year.
Even if I wanted to, and I don't, the 117 buffers make that difficult to impossible, even if I lived in domicile.
The preceding months have been pretty lean so far too.
In all, it's looking to be a $50k+ total haircut, working more "actual work" days than last year.
I have noticed the same and as a low time flyer I really like this new normal, if that's what it is. It seems like we are adequately staffed this summer for the first time ever. I'm hearing consistently that they are trying to bring our staffing way up to minimize POT awards and schedule disruptions. I actually caught 2 net zeros in July (unreal!) so I was able to trade down down to 5 days of flying in a vacation month (started with a 4 day and a 3 day). It only pays 73 TFP but that's fine with me.
This is going to sound blasphemous but not all pilots at SWA are high time flyers. Now that we are seemingly adequately staffed I've been able to trade down in ELITT almost every month this year and/or give away 1 to 2 days and trade into rigged trips. I've been flying 3 day trips with 13-15 hours of block, TAFB of 48-51 hours and 19.5 TFP. I will typically do 3 of those per month. The pay is not great but the QOL is awesome, IMO.