Quality of Life Issues
11-20-2016, 03:53 PM
#31
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2013
Posts: 523
Originally Posted by sailingfun
It's funny how much some pilots like to run down the contract and claim such poor quality of life. I flew with a guy not long ago who complained about everything. He then talked about his schedules and how much his retro would be. He was probably averaging about 9 days a month working and netting 100 hours a month! I see this time after time. In fact it often seems the complainers have amazing schedules! We also seem to glorify other airlines like SWA as shining beacons of QAL when it's not nearly as great as claimed. See below.
I was hired at SWA 9 and a half years ago at age 46. I live just under a 3 hour drive to my base. The first year here I blocked over 900 hours. Now, I'm doing between 550-600. I try to fly no more than 12 days a month. For me that's 85-90 TFP. I occasionally get a premium trip, but that's somewhat limited because many are short notice that I'm unable to do.
What I'm getting at is that I'm somewhat burned out. I used to fly long haul international on 10-12 day trips. But I rarely flew half the days I was away and never more than 400 hours a year. At SWA if you will fly every day on your schedule, sometimes over 8 hours, then have a 12 hour rest and go again. It can be quite exhausting (at least to this 56 year old).
If you plan on 113 TFP, be prepared to work for it, especially in the early low seniority years. Good luck in your decision, but if it was me, I'd go to FedEx, maximize retirement savings and retire by 60.
I was hired at SWA 9 and a half years ago at age 46. I live just under a 3 hour drive to my base. The first year here I blocked over 900 hours. Now, I'm doing between 550-600. I try to fly no more than 12 days a month. For me that's 85-90 TFP. I occasionally get a premium trip, but that's somewhat limited because many are short notice that I'm unable to do.
What I'm getting at is that I'm somewhat burned out. I used to fly long haul international on 10-12 day trips. But I rarely flew half the days I was away and never more than 400 hours a year. At SWA if you will fly every day on your schedule, sometimes over 8 hours, then have a 12 hour rest and go again. It can be quite exhausting (at least to this 56 year old).
If you plan on 113 TFP, be prepared to work for it, especially in the early low seniority years. Good luck in your decision, but if it was me, I'd go to FedEx, maximize retirement savings and retire by 60.
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11-20-2016, 04:32 PM
#32
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2010
Position: window seat
Posts: 12,522
Originally Posted by Jodi
Well, I for one prefer vacation as pay, no credit. It's not that I don't understand your viewpoint, we're just not getting in the same Honda together (not of one Accord). I like the pay flexibility it presents.
The other, which I think you're referring to, is the ability to pick up once you get your award. I'm against any relief in that area as well, but that concession wouldn't be quite as severe. Excluding any of the credit for the LCW is an automatic deal breaker.
The main overwhelming priority of vacation is extra time off and is a huge QOL issue. Forcing the entire pilot group to fly more in a vacation month just so the few who can't balance their checkbooks on 150-350+ a year is a radically unacceptable concession.
11-20-2016, 04:34 PM
#33
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Joined APC: Jul 2010
Position: window seat
Posts: 12,522
Originally Posted by sailingfun
It's estimated that we lose 500 Captains positions because of the vacation change. That is going to cost you a bunch of money that you would not have had to work extra days to receive.
If so, I agree. While 3:30 and 3:45 is still too low, adding those gains to pay and credit for the LCW is at least a gain. One that, IIRC, was used to largely offset estimated job losses in other areas, but I digress.
11-20-2016, 04:38 PM
#34
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2008
Posts: 19,277
Originally Posted by gloopy
You mean we would lose them if we were dumb enough to do that, right?
If so, I agree. While 3:30 and 3:45 is still too low, adding those gains to pay and credit for the LCW is at least a gain. One that, IIRC, was used to largely offset estimated job losses in other areas, but I digress.
If so, I agree. While 3:30 and 3:45 is still too low, adding those gains to pay and credit for the LCW is at least a gain. One that, IIRC, was used to largely offset estimated job losses in other areas, but I digress.
11-20-2016, 04:45 PM
#35
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Joined APC: Jul 2010
Position: window seat
Posts: 12,522
Originally Posted by sailingfun
No we already do it. Make vacation pay and credit and the staffing needs soar especially in the Captains seats who have the most vacation to pick up around.
I haven't ran the numbers but I suspect the reserve available days won't change with the new :15 and :30 credit adds, but at least some line holders will be able to get an extra day off versus previous book.
11-21-2016, 03:43 AM
#36
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2008
Position: new guy
Posts: 382
Translation: You idiots better not vote no for my pay raise. I don't care if the QOL hits will affect you. I like where I am and want the money. If your QOL isn't as good as mine, you probably did something wrong. If this TA causes stagnation, sorry, it is your fault. You could have stayed on as a Regional Captain and gotten the days off you wanted.
Again, don't screw this raise up for me. I REALLY want the money.
Again, don't screw this raise up for me. I REALLY want the money.
11-21-2016, 04:21 AM
#37
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2008
Position: Kickin’ Back
Posts: 6,971
Originally Posted by milky
Translation: You idiots better not vote no for my pay raise. I don't care if the QOL hits will affect you. I like where I am and want the money. If your QOL isn't as good as mine, you probably did something wrong. If this TA causes stagnation, sorry, it is your fault. You could have stayed on as a Regional Captain and gotten the days off you wanted.
Again, don't screw this raise up for me. I REALLY want the money.
Again, don't screw this raise up for me. I REALLY want the money.
See how easy that was putting words in somebody's mouth!?!
Denny
11-21-2016, 04:48 AM
#38
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2010
Posts: 852
Originally Posted by Wuzatforus
We are the only employee group without holiday pay and one of the few in the entire country.
And I don't recall getting holiday pay in the military. Is that one of the "few" you're referring to?
Originally Posted by Wuzatforus
It very much could have been a game changer, allowing senior pilots to make more $ and some junior pilots to stay home instead of being forced to fly.
We. Didn't. Even. Ask.
We. Didn't. Even. Ask.
I challenge your theory of holiday pay being a "game changer". I agree that it would be an added factor for most of us as we prioritize our lives, but its impact would depend upon the specifics of the language. Example: If I fly an 11-day trip that ends on Xmas morning, do I get Holiday Pay for the entire trip, or just the few hours that I flew on the 25th?
In 2008 I flew a trip with a 48-hour layover at a resort in the Caribbean over Christmas. My wife went with me. If we'd had Holiday Pay back then, I suppose I'd have paid it.
11-21-2016, 05:07 AM
#39
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2015
Position: Power top
Posts: 2,959
Originally Posted by milky
Translation: You idiots better not vote no for my pay raise. I don't care if the QOL hits will affect you. I like where I am and want the money. If your QOL isn't as good as mine, you probably did something wrong. If this TA causes stagnation, sorry, it is your fault. You could have stayed on as a Regional Captain and gotten the days off you wanted.
Again, don't screw this raise up for me. I REALLY want the money.
Again, don't screw this raise up for me. I REALLY want the money.
11-21-2016, 05:19 AM
#40
Line Holder
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jul 2016
Posts: 97
The entire argument is getting old. If you are voting yes, it's all about the money. If you are voting no. it's all about DPA. Neither one is accurate. There are plenty, on both sides of the vote, who are way over the top with their opinions, maybe even mine. Just vote. A non vote is the worse choice. I support the t/a and would encourage anyone who has not voted or is still undecided to vote for it.
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