There was a group of us that came through the regional ranks together. Some commute, some live in base. We all ended up in different places, including Delta, United, Southwest and FedEx. Without hesitation, I can tell you that the happiest of the group are at FedEx and SWA. The happiest of those live in base.

Despite our issues (and we certainly have some), you can make a bunch of money here. Personally, I never had a year under a $100k, hit $200k in year 3, and am going to be bumping up against $300k in year 6, but probably won’t break it. Straight up, I work my schedule and the contract hard. I only pick up Premium and only in base. I have never had less that 12 days off and not more than 14 (except vacation months).

The big “out a smile on my face” things for me at SWA is living in base, the pilot group, and being able to have a PM schedule.

1. Living in base is critical to making big money here (and likely at most airlines). You will love your life and your loved ones will love you more if you live in base. Do NOT consider any airline if you have to commute and have an alternative option for living in base.

2. Our pilot group is by far the best based upon the comments I get from my friends at the above mentioned carriers. I don’t know what the secret sauce is in the interview process is, but it really does work. I am in year six and have only three guys I would prefer not to fly with.

3. The AM/PM option is incredible for me. We have a lot more AMer’s than PMer’s. That allows me a much better shot on premium trips on short notice (once again - also because I live in base). I did not know AM/PM choice existed until I was in class. I was like whoa, you mean I don’t have to show up to work until 11:00? I’m in!!

Any of your options, including staying put, sound as though they will allow you to have a good life. With that said, make your best choice and don’t look back. You probably won’t know if you made the best choice until the day you retire.