I’m no master (yet) in figuring out all the ways of the Widget, and only giving a personal observation so don’t attack…however from what I’ve seen of some savvy players, they don’t have just two weeks of vacation and that’s it. Sure that’s the initial PBS award, but then they tactically use APD, IVD, and/or banked PB and some combo there of (I’m still learning it all) that they end up having 3-4 weeks off. Now will a 2nd year FO or CA have July vacation? Probably not. Probably not at SWA either but regardless of the month, with savvy gamesmanship (at both employers) one can create quite a number of weeks off. The values could be different but in hard time off, I think the SWA pilot would be impressed, and vice versa.

Also in regards to income, with the same savvy gamesmanship which I/we had/have at SWA, Widget players have their games. I’ve seen some monthly totals on the 73N and 7ER that can make certain MDW cappies blush or at least give a pat on the back. Will you give up days off? Absolutely. Same as I did at SWA hunting for 140-160 TFP. Like anywhere, just gotta learn the game.

I am definitely not saying one is better than the other. Heck, I can’t even say if I made the right move (let you know in 22 years), but I can say is that there’s potential to do whatever it is you want to do at many different companies. SWA was great for me while there. I miss a lot of the people but I saw a path to do what I really wanted (long haul) and luckily my personal situation allowed me to do it. I encourage anyone thinking about a move to make it as scientific as possible. Be data driven in your approach. I made spreadsheets galore and pro/con lists. It helped me make a very emotional decision, rational. I didn’t leave in anger, I have no axe to grind, I simply left because the data showed I could and thus it took the emotion out of it. Being at SWA will probably be a great and safe career. A career worth having. Probably in this wave of hiring, so can be said of the legacies. One thing is certain, no company is safe from furlough and how deep any could go is a guess so having a comfortable margin between you and the plug should also fit into you equation…says the guy only a few hundred from the plug!

Fly safe, take care of one another, and Stay Frosty my friends!