I'm usually one to point out the negatives of SWA. However, given the precarious state of the economy right now - catalyzed largely by the global fiscal and monetary response to covid-19, supply chain issues, and the geopolitical situation (Ukraine and an increasingly aggressive China) - I think SWA is, by far, the safest place to be of the major airlines for reason already pointed out in this thread. SWA has plenty of downsides like flying one aircraft type for decades, longer upgrade, working much harder for your money than peers at other airlines, and an industry-lagging contract in terms of retirement, disability, and many other benefits. However, if the economy implodes, and it seems like we are at much higher risk for that sort of thing than any time I can really remember in my adult life, then SWA is a good place to be. That factor has to be weighted heavily IMO.