I left NJA and was a CA. It was one of those “now or never moves”. For an FO at NJA, it’s a no brainer to leave NJA with the vast financial gain at SWA, even at FO wages. It hurt a bit more coming from the left seat but will regain my composure in a few years. No pain no gain. But seriously I left for a better quality of life at work. I got tired of being fatigued, run down, and ****ed off with all the BS you have to put up with at NJA. ...I do commute, which is a not so fun side affect, but I’m dealing with it. I don’t regret the move, but I just wish my pay check was larger sooner and that SWA actually had competitive health benefits (NJAs free health benefits are many times superior than the most costly plan at SWA...another point of contention, but one that can be fixed in 2020).

Long story short, if you are a FO at NJA, leave, don’t think twice. If you are a captain, if you have 20 years to give, go for it. No worries.

I like it here. I’m well rested, I like what I do, The crews are cool, and The long term financial gain is huge. AND The airline actually likes their employees, unlike the hate-hate relationship between NJA execs and the pilots.