Let’s see……maybe you want to live in a 0% income tax state. Maybe you have a family in one of SW domiciles and don’t want to commute, maybe you really don’t like flying the back side of the clock, maybe you like the interpersonal interaction rather than hauling boxes, maybe you enjoy having greater schedule flexibility, maybe you have a significant other or family that loves the travel bennies. Oh - and they only have 5,000 pilots….when the down turn comes (and it will) the furloughs will be far deeper. There are about 10k regional pilots, with most wanting to get to a major or a FedEx or UPS. At 40 per week it will only take 21 years for FedEx to hire them all. Not everyone can go to FedEx.

Southwest fits some folks like a glove. FedEx fit others perfectly. Still others fit nicely at United or Delta. It is all about the quality of life you desire, the contract, the business model, the financial security, the domiciles, and yes, your financial needs and desires. Not every pilot out there needs to make $400k - $500k to support three ex-wives and two homes, etc. I am at almost five years, will approach $225k this year (yes -I work a lot$) and know I will likely have a 10-12 year upgrade. I am single, live in base, work only PM’s, have my house and my cars paid for, no credit card debt. I have no ex-wives or kids (that I know of). I will not upgrade until I can upgrade in base. If that is 8 years, that is fine. If that is 12 years, I will be just fine.

This whole thing of “if you don’t go to FedEx you are selling yourself short” is ridiculous. Do we need some contract improvement? - YEP!! Color me optimistic, but I think we will get it in time as we have a great pilot group! I am VERY happy at Southwest. I am confident I could have been happy at Delta, Alaska or Jet Blue and maybe United, but Southwest called first. I think I would have been miserable at American, FedEx or UPS. Different strokes for different folks. That is what makes the world go round, not money or sitting in the left seat.

End of rant.