SWA or AA

Reply Subscribe

Page 2 of 8

Last »

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

01-24-2023, 01:02 PM

#11

ZapBrannigan

Furloughed Again?!

Joined APC: Aug 2007

Position: Boeing 737

Posts: 4,796

Quote:

Originally Posted by RckyMtHigh

You’re leaving a captain job at swa with 4 weeks of vacation to start over again as a FO at AA? That doesn’t make any sense, even given rapid movement at AA.

A bunch of USAir guys came to SWA in the early 2000s. (And a bunch more former USAir furloughees in the mid 20teens) It’s the circle of life.

01-24-2023, 02:09 PM

#12

Maxxter

Line Holder

Joined APC: Jan 2023

Posts: 81

Quote:

Originally Posted by Y AirPirate

Max - If you don't mind, I am curious - you're leaving WN for AA after 16 years...how old are you/how many years do you have left? I turn 55 this year, and am weighing my options as well. Thanks.

I am 50, so I have time to start all over again. 50% of the pilots retire in the next 8 years.

01-24-2023, 02:16 PM

#13

Maxxter

Line Holder

Joined APC: Jan 2023

Posts: 81

Quote:

Originally Posted by RckyMtHigh

You’re leaving a captain job at swa with 4 weeks of vacation to start over again as a FO at AA? That doesn’t make any sense, even given rapid movement at AA.

Believe me, this was a tough and long decision. I don’t care about vacation, that comes back fast. I have side businesses that are doing well, so no concern for temporary income loss. Upgrade in Miami (I live 50 miles away) is projected 1.5 to 2 years. So I hope to be back where I am now at that time not commuting to the most senior captain base in the SWA system. I am still weekend reserve or blank line after 6 years in the left seat. This is all driven by quality of life. I could totally sit reserve as a FO on the 777 at home or back to captain. And I get to finally fly an Airbus or a wide body!! Woot! Lol I have 15 years to go. I will retire at AA 35% master seniority, not bad.
If I stay with SWA in mco, it will take me 5 more years just to get to 50% seniority. F that

01-24-2023, 02:55 PM

#14

PRS Guitars

Gets Weekends Off

Joined APC: Dec 2013

Position: A320 CA

Posts: 2,300

Quote:

Originally Posted by Champeen07

At SWA: going to work less days for the same amount of money on the NB side. . Going to fly more block hours at SWA for that money. Upgrade is years longer, but you'll make more as a senior FO at SWA then a junior captain at AA.

How much and working how many days? a Jr CA at AA can make $300k sitting reserve and flying occasional Premium. $400k with a good IMAX (rolling limit) plan. It's not hard to do.

01-24-2023, 03:48 PM

#15

WHACKMASTER

Gets Weekends Off

Joined APC: Jun 2010

Position: DOWNGRADE COMPLETE: Thanks Gary. Thanks SWAPA.

Posts: 6,649

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxxter

Smart move for your circumstances. Best of luck. You’re NOT crazy.

01-24-2023, 04:14 PM

#16

RckyMtHigh

Gets Weekends Off

Joined APC: Dec 2015

Posts: 302

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxxter

Makes sense. Good luck!

01-24-2023, 05:48 PM

#17

Palmtree Pilot

7.27%

Joined APC: Feb 2006

Position: Boeing

Posts: 543

Quote:

Originally Posted by PRS Guitars

How much and working how many days? a Jr CA at AA can make $300k sitting reserve and flying occasional Premium. $400k with a good IMAX (rolling limit) plan. It's not hard to do.

curious, what are the min days off for reserve at AA; how long to upgrade in PHX, and is reserve commutable say from PHX to LAX?

01-24-2023, 06:02 PM

#18

Otterbox

Gets Weekends Off

Joined APC: Oct 2015

Position: Gear slinger

Posts: 2,923

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxxter

I thought you were insane, until I read this. It makes sense.

01-24-2023, 06:15 PM

#19

AAL24

Gets Weekends Off

Joined APC: Jun 2018

Position: 757/767

Posts: 537

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palmtree Pilot

curious, what are the min days off for reserve at AA; how long to upgrade in PHX, and is reserve commutable say from PHX to LAX?

Min days off on reserve is 12 or 13 depending on the month. PHX is very senior but that will change once more former AWA pilots reach retirement age. Long call reserve would be commutable from PHX to LAX (12 hour callout). Definitely not on short call though. Long call reserve gets more trips as they assign open time to long calls before short call. Ideally you could bid long call reserve for LAX 787 FO and not work too much, but that bid status has been shrinking over the last couple years. Hard to say if WB LAX flying will ever come back to what it was pre-Covid. LAX NB seems to be dwindling as well. Not many awards on recent vacancy bids. Your best bet would probably be wait until you could upgrade in PHX or else commute to DFW. Good luck.