Originally Posted by
Grumpyaviator
Furloughs were more about getting Force Majeure and a money grab than stuffing needs. Also a signal to DC.
But from the POV of pilots who will leave it’s not about ego and being stuck in a guppy, but the economic advantage over a career with a faster upgrade and wide body pay. I know the argument of we have more earnings potential, but the fact is my friends at other airlines with similar seniority out earn me flying far fewer hours per year.
I have a friend who went to FedEx when I came here and upgraded in eighteen months. Their upgrades are longer now but still light years ahead of us.
The stability and culture are no longer selling points for SWA.
"Um yeahhhh. I'm gonna have to go ahead and disagree with you on that" -Bill Lumbergh
I separated from the AF 2 years ago and came here, and have several friends at all the majors that were hired around the same time. Throughout the last year many were adamant about how great SWA was doing compared to their company. Some even telling me they're going to put an app in at SWA just based on how things have gone over the last year. Long term earning isn't everything, especially when you're furloughed or UNA. Like I said earlier, sitting WB reserve sounds pretty f'n fantastic, but for us currently at the bottom of our respective airline's seniority list, I think it's the last thing on our minds. Sitting right seat in the Guppy for 8 years, making $200k+ with my pick of OT trips isn't the worst thing in the world.