There are two camps that fall into SWA exceptionalism.

A. Guys that couldn't get on with a real airline in the 90s and got hired by a growing but still small Texas 737 airline. They basically fell head first into the luckiest bit of timing in aviation history as the industry crashed around them while SWA grew by leaps and bounds. They attribute this to their warrior spirit and fun luvving attitude and it certainly has nothing to do with luck or timing. They never sat reserve, upgraded in 3-5 years, and think SWAPA is being too militant right now.

B. Guys who got hired in the lost decade. They are just glad to be here since they were almost selling handies in a mens room around the corner from their house. Herb probably went to their new hire lunch and they definitely want to keep "the culture" alive.

As our ranks grow, their ranks shrink. I got pretty freaked out when TA1 almost passed. I actually started getting my resume' in order. That won't happen again at this company. Karl and friends are at the mercy of market forces. There has never been a time in all of history that pilots have had so much on their side in negotiations. You cannot fight economics. You just can't.