Originally Posted by 3xDEC

least 500, if not 1000, PIC turbine to even get a look at a major. I remember Continental days when first-year pay was $29/hr. I’m not turning my nose up at anyone, just being honest — some of the recent hires who’ve jumped with 1500 TT and 500 SIC in an RJ (United seems to be the biggest example) made me raise an eyebrow. United has also had some notable issues over the last 24 months. Not saying it’s related, but I do have my opinions.

From what I’ve heard, Southwest has generally hired well-qualified candidates and kept their standards higher. American, on the other hand, still leans heavily toward PIC or military backgrounds. I get that hiring is dynamic and always shifting, but the newer generation of pilots getting on with thinner résumés and then jumping straight into the social media spotlight doesn’t always sit right with me.

For full transparency, I know it comes down to my own decisions. After COVID, instead of taking the hit and jumping to a major at first-year pay, I took the wholly owned bonus, 17-year CA pay, and four weeks of vacation. That shortsightedness is what’s brought me to this crossroad.

At this point, I can either wait 12 more months to flow to AA (junior 737 CA in LGA is around 2.4 years) or roll the dice and make the move to SWA.

Everyone I’ve spoken to at Southwest seems happy, well compensated, and not caught up chasing a heavy. I already have that T-shirt — it’s old, torn, and ragged.

😆😊😉