I just separated yesterday after 11 years, all in the C-17. I start training at CAL in another couple weeks.

I have tons of buddies at SWA, everyone I know loves it. From what I can tell (all second hand knowledge), SWA has very good scheduling, ability to drop trips and pick up open time at 2nd year pay. Most of them have been able to make about $55-85k their first year. None of my buddies have complained about the up & down legs. One of my friends has been there ab out 1.5 years and averages about 6-8 nights away from home per month by bidding out & back flights.

The downside of SWA is that hiring has stagnated, meaning that until things pick up, it'll be longer on reserve, and longer at Oakland. I've heard that there's about 300 or so in the pool, and about 350 or projected class slots this year, so they won't be picking up many new hires off the street.

As for me, I chose CAL because I can live in my USAF Reserve base and live within a reasonable drive of EWR. CAL's hiring has slowed, but I should be off reserve within a couple of months.

Avoid a double commute if at all possible.