You don't have a decision until you get the CJOs.

 

This argument is very basic (the CA's, not you). BES seniority is way more important and directly impactful than system seniority. Additionally, the idea of where you place relative to a "wave" is the ultimate deciding factor on where to target is equally basic. I remember multiple people saying getting hired 2020+ was not a good move because "you're way on the backside of the major hiring wave!" They were all laughably wrong. Lastly, a lot of people seem to use WB-A as the gold standard ("you'll only get 3 years at the end, go somewhere else!...even though I'm making a prediction for you 20-30+ years into the future.") A lot of guys don't care about WB-A, or at least don't care that they'll have less than X years in that seat. Making a decision that's based on current prediction of WB-A 30 years down the road is very myopic decision making in an industry that wildly swings throughout one's career.

 

In general, unless you're living in base at AA, at UAL, UPS or have a good bit of seniority at FedEx you should attempt to go to DAL. Long term it's a probably a better career move.

 

I can’t believe choices these days. Thought I had it made being hired sub-30 23 years ago. Sometimes the choice is made for you.

if you quit thinking about the what ifs,it makes it more enjoyable. Who doesn’t like brown polyester.

 

"You are a thief of joy." - Michael Scott

 

Don’t be foolish. It sounds like you’re planning to give up a fair amount of future earnings just to have the opportunity to fly a big jet. SWA is still one of the most financially viable airlines and should be around for a long long time. Your seniority there will be better than as a newhire at a new airline anywhere else and you never get it back. Make lots of money at swa and then buy tickets on a WB to some cool place if it’s that important to you.

if you’re dead set on working for a legacy then sure go on and apply and see what the future looks like when you have a job offer. It’s possible that by then the next 3-5 years of an airline career will be stagnant no matter where you are.

WBA is cool but there’s a reason that many NBA can hold it but still choose not to, whether at a legacy or ‘stuck’ at swa.

 

Maybe I missed it, but how much seniority is he potentially giving up at SWA? I was told by some I was crazy to give up 3 years at AA and go to DAL...zero regrets on that move. Now if he's giving up 10 years, that's probably a bad idea.

 

he didn’t say. I assume (yaya….) he’ll have more guys behind him in 20 years at swa than at dal.

OP, do what’s best for you and good luck. Welcome to the business where none of us can tell the future despite the sound and fury we might make on a keyboard.

 

I gave up 2 years at my previous Major flying 73’s and was gonna be #1 on the list for a few years at the end of my career. Similar reasons for leaving. Brutally slow seniority progression, single fleet, long upgrade times, and unknown desire to grow the brand at the time I left. I’m incredibly happy with my choice of coming to DL. Being junior in base and still able to get a line with tons of days off and schedule flexibility is great. The variety in fleets and different types of flying for different desires is a huge plus for me. We still are averaging around 500 mandatory retirements a year for the next 30 years.

you’d know better then any of us what the internals of SWA are looking like but it’s difficult to predict the future. I think either choice will result in a great career.

 

I would retire top 200 at SWA. Drive to work. I can't complain. Just worried about long term.