Originally Posted by GHOST (Post 2650683)

A good friend of mine and I were hired the same year at our respective carriers. Like many, I was under the impression that SW pilots made more than American Airline's pilots for similar equipment (737/A320F). After comparing our schedules, it's clear that SW pilots work harder than American pilots. On an average, I fly 2 legs per day while my SW counterpart works 3-4 legs per day. Our monthly paychecks are similar, however he averages an additional day off per month than I do.

Interesting to note, at 5 year length of service my SW counterpart will remain on the 737 for the duration of his career. At American, I am able to hold a line on the 75/76 with similar days off and making more money per month (the commute keeps me on the Airbus fleet). SW is a great company with great flexibility, however I wouldn't trade my position (and seniority number) at American for a SW spot. Each airline has their pros and cons, choose what works best for you and your family.

Originally Posted by Saabs (Post 2650687)

You’re free to tell yourself that they work harder. They get more days off so to me that’s working less. I want to fly my butt off at work and have more days off.

Originally Posted by Saabs (Post 2650687)

You’re free to tell yourself that they work harder. They get more days off so to me that’s working less. I want to fly my butt off at work and have more days off.

Originally Posted by GHOST (Post 2650699)

Saabs,

No shade, I'm sure you have your examples as well. I don't believe what I read on the forums. I'm simply illustrating an example from a good friend. I don't know your bid status, but in my base on 320 I'm averaging 15-16 days off/month with TTS/TTOT. Yes we have work to do come contract 2020. I stand by my statement and as of now, I'm very content with my days off, paycheck, and QOL. With 30+ years left, I'll chose AA over SW any day.

Originally Posted by Hotel Pen (Post 2650861)

Saabs, I'd rather work an extra day or two a month and not have ruthlessly long soul crushing days at work. Not saying one outlook is better than the other, but just that there are a lot of differing opinions on this. The one thing we could all agree on is that our contract is way behind our peers and that a better contract would benefit all of us.



Scheduling and our contract and this summer weather is taking the satisfaction out of this job for me at least.


Hopefully this doesn't continue.

Originally Posted by Saabs (Post 2650882)

To each their own. My family is more important to me than an easier schedule and being away an extra day or two.

Originally Posted by Saabs (Post 2650882)

To each their own. My family is more important to me than an easier schedule and being away an extra day or two.

Originally Posted by PRS Guitars (Post 2643698)

I’m trying to wrap my brain around the APA’s mentality of restricting pilots already on property to protect (or cause if you will) more future jobs. Examples include our inability to double dip after having a trip bought, IMAX, not being allowed to fly during vacation, etc. what is the purpose of this while we are hiring 6 to 900 a year? I completely get it if we aren’t hiring or have furloughed pilots.

Guys here preach about getting W2’s like SWA and DAL, but I don’t think we can earn like SWA with this mentality. And with my limited understanding of Delta’s “rolling thunder”, I don’t think that would fly here either. Maybe that’s why most here just care about pay rates, they don’t understand the mechanisms by which other airline pilots bolster their income...it’s not just profit sharing guys.

Also, we lose leverage by already restricting ourselves. We can’t exactly reduce our level of flying when it’s already low.

What am I missing? Thoughts?

Originally Posted by Arado 234 (Post 2651393)

What about the inability to pick up a drop from a different base? Never understood why.

Originally Posted by Name User (Post 2651741)

They are worried about seniority.

Example a NY based line holder could drop NY trips and pick up DFW trips. They view this as not fair to the guy senior to that person on reserve in DFW.

Yeah, I know.