Originally Posted by
CJDriver7
Hey everyone, currently a 91K FO, been on this side of the industry for all of my career, but recently have been wondering about what 121 is like. I like my job, I like my company, but the unbelievably inconsistent scheduling, red eyes, long tours, and lack of care from those building trips is taking a toll. This side of the industry is slammed and barely staying afloat, and that’s coming at the expense of us pilots. I know absolutely nothing about the airlines, I don’t understand pay structure, how the lines/reserve works, etc. Has anyone else transitioned from 135/91K to Southwest that could share some insight? I live in PHX currently (I do know that’s a relatively senior base), but I’ve never had to commute so not sure what to expect. Any info is helpful, just trying to see if the grass is greener and if my kid is gonna be able to see her dad more than a few days a month. Thanks in advance.
Very big picture: You can get PHX pretty quickly, from right out of training to a couple months later. At first 15 days on reserve per month, 3 or 4 day blocks, with 3-4 days off in between. Every once in a while, you won’t get used the first or last day of reserve. Once off reserve (depends on hiring pace, but probably inside a year), you fly 12-15 days days per month. Trips are from 1-4 days long, mostly weekends as a Junior guy, 2-5 legs per day. For year one pay, budget 100 tfp/ month. At 75.77/tfp, that’s $7577/month, plus 15% into a retirement fund. Then be pleasantly surprised when you’re actually being paid 125+tfp/month. You show up an hour before departure on the first day and just fly the plane. No planning/catering/fueling/maintaining/entertaining required. When you get to the overnight, you take the van to the hotel and not worry about work until 30 minutes prior to departure. When you end a trip, you forget about work for the next 3-4 days.
Hope that helps.