FDX vs SWA
11-16-2016, 06:30 PM
#12
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2007
Position: headbanging
Posts: 954
Throwing in my $.02. First, congrats on having two good options. I'm a purple guy since 2005. Going to MD11 Captain school in May. We are about to purge the top 1/3 of the seniority list over the next 10 years. Your upward mobility should be great here. Can't speak to SWA. There are SWA guys coming over here, I don't think it's flowing the other way at all. The flying is amazingly diverse. You can almost literally do whatever you want. Want to be home every night and live in domicile? Travel all over the world? Week on/week off commuter? You can check those and more. Variety is the spice of life, my friend.
I've found one of the biggest upsides here is that it's an entirely different business than pax airlines. Luckily for us, it involves airplanes (at least now). The upper management has been really good at economic forecasting and positioning the company to capture new growth, emerging markets, etc. Not that there is no risk, but I don't feel as vulnerable as the pax carriers.
Commuting on our planes is really about as simple as it gets. Book 3 weeks out and you don't have to wade through the terminal and throngs of people. Just a much more laid back experience. No begging for a ride from a different airline. Plus, I've found that our flights rarely cancel. You'll have some protection available jumpseating into a trip (no harm/no foul if your jumpseating cancels, within some parameters).
Obviously do what's best for you and your family, but I really think you have enough options here to make it all work. Best of luck to you.
I've found one of the biggest upsides here is that it's an entirely different business than pax airlines. Luckily for us, it involves airplanes (at least now). The upper management has been really good at economic forecasting and positioning the company to capture new growth, emerging markets, etc. Not that there is no risk, but I don't feel as vulnerable as the pax carriers.
Commuting on our planes is really about as simple as it gets. Book 3 weeks out and you don't have to wade through the terminal and throngs of people. Just a much more laid back experience. No begging for a ride from a different airline. Plus, I've found that our flights rarely cancel. You'll have some protection available jumpseating into a trip (no harm/no foul if your jumpseating cancels, within some parameters).
Obviously do what's best for you and your family, but I really think you have enough options here to make it all work. Best of luck to you.
11-16-2016, 09:08 PM
#13
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2006
Position: MD11 FO
Posts: 1,109
SWA is no doubt a great company and all my friends seem to really enjoy it there but I don't think there's any way they have the same flexibility. It's not unusual here to have 3 weeks off in a row without vacation - I doubt you'll find that at SWA. I can still sit 5 days of reserve in a row and not get called sometime - I bet that never happens at SWA. We still have some great inefficiencies built into our system that really benefit the pilots - I doubt SWA ever has that. As a guy in the bottom 10% in the right seat in my domicile I still regularly get trips that are no kidding vacation - flying first class (yes still possible even with new contract) to international locations and getting plenty of time off in places like Honolulu, Paris, Sydney and Hong Kong. Unlike SWA, our hotels are rarely located at the airport - most are downtown in places you can actually enjoy the layover.
Nothing wrong with SWA but talk to guys that have been there for 20 years - incredibly little variety in the flying - you want weekdays or weekends, mornings or afternoons - that's about it. A 10 year FO's schedule doesn't look much different than a 2 year guy. Now we do have some serious lousy trips in the system - but at least for me, by choice, they are few and far between.
Travel benefits? My deadheading on Fedex has earned me enough miles annually where I fly at least 3 vacations per year with my family all on miles - positive space. I also regularly give upgrades to my wife and parents to fly in business class on international legs. Now, my retired parents would benefit from non-rev access at any pax carrier - but I doubt my direct family would use it much.
I'm going on 3.5 weeks off right now (had some R days but didn't get used - I live in domicile) and my last trip was a true vacation and paid incredibly well. I don't get months like this all the time but at least 2x/year - plus the standard vacation - which is similar, but better than SWAs.
Talk to the senior guys at SWA and check out their schedules, how many days they work and how much they actually work during those days. It'll be telling.
Nothing wrong with SWA but talk to guys that have been there for 20 years - incredibly little variety in the flying - you want weekdays or weekends, mornings or afternoons - that's about it. A 10 year FO's schedule doesn't look much different than a 2 year guy. Now we do have some serious lousy trips in the system - but at least for me, by choice, they are few and far between.
Travel benefits? My deadheading on Fedex has earned me enough miles annually where I fly at least 3 vacations per year with my family all on miles - positive space. I also regularly give upgrades to my wife and parents to fly in business class on international legs. Now, my retired parents would benefit from non-rev access at any pax carrier - but I doubt my direct family would use it much.
I'm going on 3.5 weeks off right now (had some R days but didn't get used - I live in domicile) and my last trip was a true vacation and paid incredibly well. I don't get months like this all the time but at least 2x/year - plus the standard vacation - which is similar, but better than SWAs.
Talk to the senior guys at SWA and check out their schedules, how many days they work and how much they actually work during those days. It'll be telling.
11-17-2016, 01:58 AM
#15
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,622
Compensation isn't everything. You need to find out what the average Joe earns at each company. Planning on flying the maximum or flying draft (FDX overtime speak) is not a sound model to make decisions on. I've made more money this year than some of my CAs because I live in Memphis and I made myself available to the schedulers. However, I blocked less than your average passenger airline pilot.
If you do consider compensation, don't forget FDX's A-plan which if maxed out provides ~$130k per year in retirement. This assumes you have 25 years of service and five years at the maximum qualifying earnings. A FDX retirement and a military active/reserve retirement makes life extremely comfortable in your older years and you haven't even touched your B-fund.
Also, COS and DEN are the toughest commutes at FDX. Making extra money while being trapped in COS trying to get to MEM is going to be very difficult. I made my extra money because I was close to Memphis and had immediate availability. You're not going to have that option being a commuter especially living in a difficult commute city.
All major airlines are good flying gigs right now and that could change very quickly. Even UPS and FDX are not immune.
Good luck with your decision.
If you do consider compensation, don't forget FDX's A-plan which if maxed out provides ~$130k per year in retirement. This assumes you have 25 years of service and five years at the maximum qualifying earnings. A FDX retirement and a military active/reserve retirement makes life extremely comfortable in your older years and you haven't even touched your B-fund.
Also, COS and DEN are the toughest commutes at FDX. Making extra money while being trapped in COS trying to get to MEM is going to be very difficult. I made my extra money because I was close to Memphis and had immediate availability. You're not going to have that option being a commuter especially living in a difficult commute city.
All major airlines are good flying gigs right now and that could change very quickly. Even UPS and FDX are not immune.
Good luck with your decision.
11-17-2016, 04:23 AM
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,434
Originally Posted by Tuck
SWA is no doubt a great company and all my friends seem to really enjoy it there but I don't think there's any way they have the same flexibility. It's not unusual here to have 3 weeks off in a row without vacation - I doubt you'll find that at SWA. I can still sit 5 days of reserve in a row and not get called sometime - I bet that never happens at SWA. We still have some great inefficiencies built into our system that really benefit the pilots - I doubt SWA ever has that. As a guy in the bottom 10% in the right seat in my domicile I still regularly get trips that are no kidding vacation - flying first class (yes still possible even with new contract) to international locations and getting plenty of time off in places like Honolulu, Paris, Sydney and Hong Kong. Unlike SWA, our hotels are rarely located at the airport - most are downtown in places you can actually enjoy the layover.
Nothing wrong with SWA but talk to guys that have been there for 20 years - incredibly little variety in the flying - you want weekdays or weekends, mornings or afternoons - that's about it. A 10 year FO's schedule doesn't look much different than a 2 year guy. Now we do have some serious lousy trips in the system - but at least for me, by choice, they are few and far between.
Travel benefits? My deadheading on Fedex has earned me enough miles annually where I fly at least 3 vacations per year with my family all on miles - positive space. I also regularly give upgrades to my wife and parents to fly in business class on international legs. Now, my retired parents would benefit from non-rev access at any pax carrier - but I doubt my direct family would use it much.
I'm going on 3.5 weeks off right now (had some R days but didn't get used - I live in domicile) and my last trip was a true vacation and paid incredibly well. I don't get months like this all the time but at least 2x/year - plus the standard vacation - which is similar, but better than SWAs.
Talk to the senior guys at SWA and check out their schedules, how many days they work and how much they actually work during those days. It'll be telling.
Nothing wrong with SWA but talk to guys that have been there for 20 years - incredibly little variety in the flying - you want weekdays or weekends, mornings or afternoons - that's about it. A 10 year FO's schedule doesn't look much different than a 2 year guy. Now we do have some serious lousy trips in the system - but at least for me, by choice, they are few and far between.
Travel benefits? My deadheading on Fedex has earned me enough miles annually where I fly at least 3 vacations per year with my family all on miles - positive space. I also regularly give upgrades to my wife and parents to fly in business class on international legs. Now, my retired parents would benefit from non-rev access at any pax carrier - but I doubt my direct family would use it much.
I'm going on 3.5 weeks off right now (had some R days but didn't get used - I live in domicile) and my last trip was a true vacation and paid incredibly well. I don't get months like this all the time but at least 2x/year - plus the standard vacation - which is similar, but better than SWAs.
Talk to the senior guys at SWA and check out their schedules, how many days they work and how much they actually work during those days. It'll be telling.
I am a SWA guy and I approve this message. Very accurate post of the differences with the exception that we can also build 3 weeks off with no vacation in our schedule in most months if we so desire (for lineholders). Everything else is dead on accurate.
11-17-2016, 04:44 AM
#17
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jun 2011
Position: Line Holder
Posts: 35
This post was focused on SWA, but can apply this advice/comparison to the legacy airlines as well? Generally speaking of course. I also have a tough decision looming between pax/FedEx. This thread has been very enlightening. Thanks.
11-17-2016, 05:04 AM
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2006
Posts: 2,889
SWA is 2, maybe 3 airlines....
AM airline. PM airline...and if you commute AM/PM commute airline. Trip trading (so I hear) allows a lot of flexibility, and the ability to scale your work up or down. About everyone I know there likes it, with complaints typically due to the interaction with pax or FAs and the slower upgrades.
FedEx is maybe 10-15 airlines? The domestic day company, the traditional night hub turn company, the international airline (some MD11s and the 777 fleet) and two foreign domiciles, and then the "live in base on reserve" versions and commuter versions of the above. We also have smaller bases in ANC, LAX, and IND as well.
Which is the better airline? Not having flown at SWA...ever...and having flown a mix of the airline life at FedEx I will borrow from a weapon officer's handbook with a hardy "it depends..."
In my time at FedEx, I did very little of the traditional hub turn life. As a new hire SO on the 727, I traded into domestic day flying quite a bit. I was also quite busy in the ANG (it was 2002-2004 and man days were available) so to honest my first couple years at FedEx I was a part time airline guy and a busy F-15 pilot.
Once I got over the right seat of the 727, and later the MD-11, I spend most of my time on the day side of the operation (God bless the USPS!). I also threw in international on the MD11 and got to see a lot of the world, including a bunch of time as RFO often with DHs to great places like HNL, CDG, and FRA.
Simply put--I thought day flying at FedEx and the European overseas flights were about as much fun and as pleasant as a job could be. I'd put that flying above any of the schedules I've seen at any other airline including legacies. One leg to SFO or SEA with a nice morning return to Memphis was a joy. Flying 7-9 hours to Europe or Hawaii with a 2 hour break and a nap enroute (3 man crew) was great fun to me, and showing up at 4-5 PM in Paris after an AM launch still left me enough juice to go out and enjoy a night in the Latin Quarter. Layovers were usually 36 hours more, and I've had 100 hours off in Paris, Hong Kong, and Anchorage during my MD-11 days. It was--fantastic.
Now--I also did some hub turns (usually Indy, and almost always only ONE leg in and ONE leg out). Didn't matter how great it was on paper, but Weds or Thurs I was tired, bored, and ready to get home. Some nights were fun, and I was always smart enough to do the math and realize what "normal" people would have to do to make the money I was making at that moment, but I cannot say I ever savored sleeping 1-3 AM in a sleep room or recliner and waking up to do a leg 4-8 AM...day after day.
What was cool was no matter what I was flying, I almost always had DHs to or from or both on the trip. That made commuting relatively stress free and build up the frequent flyer miles for automatic upgrades and travel for family. (I've been Diamond at Delta as long as they've had that level, and this year also made EP on American and Gold on Cathay). For commuters--IMHO--there is not a better company to work for than FedEx.
So why am I not blindly saying "come here!"? I now live in domicile in an FDA, and not commuting has turned out to be a very nice change of pace after 14 years as a commuter. I am often on reserve--paid to be at home--and that also means days off are free to fly some extra if its available. So--if you are going to live in a SWA domicile, even if you make more on paper for FedEx, I understand the appeal of the ease of living.
I will also say that that middle of the night airline that is the heart and soul of FedEx is not where I have spent that much time, and the time I've been there I haven't really enjoyed it. I've enjoyed the job, the money, and the flexibility...but the alarm going off at 0300 still sucks, even at 15 years. Being in an FDA means I hub turn some, but just not every night. The hotels, people, jets, and experience are great fun. But--if I could go back to doing 1 leg to Paris or HNL and laying over 24-48 hours, I'd do it.....or will in a few years when family says I can leave the FDA.
The thing is--if you join FDX tomorrow--you might go VFR direct to the 777 like some of my friends and fly trips it used to take 5-8 years to hold. One departure a month--lots of international destinations---a comfortable ride and food along the way and great hotels on the other end waiting for you. Or--you could be doing 2-3 legs in the middle of the night on a 757 hub turning out of Memphis. Unlike some on these blogs I never found the international circadian swapping even 10% as fatiguing as hub turns, and I rather enjoyed the adventure. As a commuter--once I left town my family didn't care if I was in Denver or Hong Kong...I was gone either way. So--I saw the world, and loved it. Now in domicile, I get the joy of packing a light bag for a 2-4 day trip vice 10 day excursion. I still do the long trips and enjoy long blocks of days off, but I could make a case for either.
What I will say is that with just a tad of seniority at FedEx, you have more choices than you'll ever have at other places. Even most legacy international guys go to one or two cities a month and go back and forth. FDX international crews get to g all over--sometimes good, sometimes bad, but always interesting IMHO.
Besides pay, take a close look at benefits. Our insurance (health and loss of license) are outstanding. Our company is consistently profitable, and in an industry that has proven to be recession resistant (note I didn't say "proof"). I have had to use our insurance for not one but two back operations, and I can say that after seeing the bills and the insurance settlement "thank you FedEx" and "thank you ALPA" were some of the first things I said.
Upgrades? I hear guys say "its not important..." It gets important. I got paid for years as a captain while in the FO seat due to some good fortune and crazy bids. Even with good pay and great seniority, I was ready to upgrade 5 years before I finally did...and when I did upgrade I have to say its a very nice feeling to get to be a captain. Would I make that the only factor in my choice of airline? No. I will say it will probably be a bigger deal to you in a few years than it is right now, so keep that in your cross check.
Finally--hours. We have guys who fly their line and nothing more, and even drop some, but I suspect most of our guys will grab a little extra when they can (not during negotiations). Both SWA and FDX pride themselves on lean operations, so when things get tight the surplus dries up. That said, I am on track for a little under 1300 hours of credit this year. I picked up 2 trips--a short 4 day and a longer 9 day trip this year, and also was drafted for a 10 day trip. I sold back vacation for 2 out of 4 available periods, and got paid for a training trip to the states. My disclaimer is this is the first year I ever got a draft trip and first year I ever sold vacation back (or even didn't use it all). All of that was due to living in domicile and being in a slightly undermanned FDA. As we fill up this winter its possible neither of those will ever happen again. What is strange is even with the two make-up trips I dropped more days of reserve and a couple trips so I have more "bank time" than I started out with at the first of the year. I humped a couple months--one this summer and one in the spring--but also slacked off during ski season and worked about 1/2 my line several winter months. Probably more info than your want, but I think 78 hours is a low estimate in good times. If we get a recession again--better plan on living on the guarantee or a few hours less--but with all our retirements pending I do not think you will have to sweat a reduced guarantee anytime soon.
What I tell guys who have a choice to do is look with the head at the numbers, then listen to the heart about what you WANT to do. There is no wrong answer. I didn't want to fly 737s all my life, and I wanted to see the world. I am thrilled with my choice, even when it sometimes turns into work instead of just fun. That said, MOST of my time at work has been downright fun, and I enjoy what I do. You are going to be doing this for some time, and you only have to answer to one guy--the one in the mirror. Pick the one you think that guy will enjoy the most, and the rest will fall into place.
Good luck whatever you choose....
AM airline. PM airline...and if you commute AM/PM commute airline. Trip trading (so I hear) allows a lot of flexibility, and the ability to scale your work up or down. About everyone I know there likes it, with complaints typically due to the interaction with pax or FAs and the slower upgrades.
FedEx is maybe 10-15 airlines? The domestic day company, the traditional night hub turn company, the international airline (some MD11s and the 777 fleet) and two foreign domiciles, and then the "live in base on reserve" versions and commuter versions of the above. We also have smaller bases in ANC, LAX, and IND as well.
Which is the better airline? Not having flown at SWA...ever...and having flown a mix of the airline life at FedEx I will borrow from a weapon officer's handbook with a hardy "it depends..."
In my time at FedEx, I did very little of the traditional hub turn life. As a new hire SO on the 727, I traded into domestic day flying quite a bit. I was also quite busy in the ANG (it was 2002-2004 and man days were available) so to honest my first couple years at FedEx I was a part time airline guy and a busy F-15 pilot.
Once I got over the right seat of the 727, and later the MD-11, I spend most of my time on the day side of the operation (God bless the USPS!). I also threw in international on the MD11 and got to see a lot of the world, including a bunch of time as RFO often with DHs to great places like HNL, CDG, and FRA.
Simply put--I thought day flying at FedEx and the European overseas flights were about as much fun and as pleasant as a job could be. I'd put that flying above any of the schedules I've seen at any other airline including legacies. One leg to SFO or SEA with a nice morning return to Memphis was a joy. Flying 7-9 hours to Europe or Hawaii with a 2 hour break and a nap enroute (3 man crew) was great fun to me, and showing up at 4-5 PM in Paris after an AM launch still left me enough juice to go out and enjoy a night in the Latin Quarter. Layovers were usually 36 hours more, and I've had 100 hours off in Paris, Hong Kong, and Anchorage during my MD-11 days. It was--fantastic.
Now--I also did some hub turns (usually Indy, and almost always only ONE leg in and ONE leg out). Didn't matter how great it was on paper, but Weds or Thurs I was tired, bored, and ready to get home. Some nights were fun, and I was always smart enough to do the math and realize what "normal" people would have to do to make the money I was making at that moment, but I cannot say I ever savored sleeping 1-3 AM in a sleep room or recliner and waking up to do a leg 4-8 AM...day after day.
What was cool was no matter what I was flying, I almost always had DHs to or from or both on the trip. That made commuting relatively stress free and build up the frequent flyer miles for automatic upgrades and travel for family. (I've been Diamond at Delta as long as they've had that level, and this year also made EP on American and Gold on Cathay). For commuters--IMHO--there is not a better company to work for than FedEx.
So why am I not blindly saying "come here!"? I now live in domicile in an FDA, and not commuting has turned out to be a very nice change of pace after 14 years as a commuter. I am often on reserve--paid to be at home--and that also means days off are free to fly some extra if its available. So--if you are going to live in a SWA domicile, even if you make more on paper for FedEx, I understand the appeal of the ease of living.
I will also say that that middle of the night airline that is the heart and soul of FedEx is not where I have spent that much time, and the time I've been there I haven't really enjoyed it. I've enjoyed the job, the money, and the flexibility...but the alarm going off at 0300 still sucks, even at 15 years. Being in an FDA means I hub turn some, but just not every night. The hotels, people, jets, and experience are great fun. But--if I could go back to doing 1 leg to Paris or HNL and laying over 24-48 hours, I'd do it.....or will in a few years when family says I can leave the FDA.
The thing is--if you join FDX tomorrow--you might go VFR direct to the 777 like some of my friends and fly trips it used to take 5-8 years to hold. One departure a month--lots of international destinations---a comfortable ride and food along the way and great hotels on the other end waiting for you. Or--you could be doing 2-3 legs in the middle of the night on a 757 hub turning out of Memphis. Unlike some on these blogs I never found the international circadian swapping even 10% as fatiguing as hub turns, and I rather enjoyed the adventure. As a commuter--once I left town my family didn't care if I was in Denver or Hong Kong...I was gone either way. So--I saw the world, and loved it. Now in domicile, I get the joy of packing a light bag for a 2-4 day trip vice 10 day excursion. I still do the long trips and enjoy long blocks of days off, but I could make a case for either.
What I will say is that with just a tad of seniority at FedEx, you have more choices than you'll ever have at other places. Even most legacy international guys go to one or two cities a month and go back and forth. FDX international crews get to g all over--sometimes good, sometimes bad, but always interesting IMHO.
Besides pay, take a close look at benefits. Our insurance (health and loss of license) are outstanding. Our company is consistently profitable, and in an industry that has proven to be recession resistant (note I didn't say "proof"). I have had to use our insurance for not one but two back operations, and I can say that after seeing the bills and the insurance settlement "thank you FedEx" and "thank you ALPA" were some of the first things I said.
Upgrades? I hear guys say "its not important..." It gets important. I got paid for years as a captain while in the FO seat due to some good fortune and crazy bids. Even with good pay and great seniority, I was ready to upgrade 5 years before I finally did...and when I did upgrade I have to say its a very nice feeling to get to be a captain. Would I make that the only factor in my choice of airline? No. I will say it will probably be a bigger deal to you in a few years than it is right now, so keep that in your cross check.
Finally--hours. We have guys who fly their line and nothing more, and even drop some, but I suspect most of our guys will grab a little extra when they can (not during negotiations). Both SWA and FDX pride themselves on lean operations, so when things get tight the surplus dries up. That said, I am on track for a little under 1300 hours of credit this year. I picked up 2 trips--a short 4 day and a longer 9 day trip this year, and also was drafted for a 10 day trip. I sold back vacation for 2 out of 4 available periods, and got paid for a training trip to the states. My disclaimer is this is the first year I ever got a draft trip and first year I ever sold vacation back (or even didn't use it all). All of that was due to living in domicile and being in a slightly undermanned FDA. As we fill up this winter its possible neither of those will ever happen again. What is strange is even with the two make-up trips I dropped more days of reserve and a couple trips so I have more "bank time" than I started out with at the first of the year. I humped a couple months--one this summer and one in the spring--but also slacked off during ski season and worked about 1/2 my line several winter months. Probably more info than your want, but I think 78 hours is a low estimate in good times. If we get a recession again--better plan on living on the guarantee or a few hours less--but with all our retirements pending I do not think you will have to sweat a reduced guarantee anytime soon.
What I tell guys who have a choice to do is look with the head at the numbers, then listen to the heart about what you WANT to do. There is no wrong answer. I didn't want to fly 737s all my life, and I wanted to see the world. I am thrilled with my choice, even when it sometimes turns into work instead of just fun. That said, MOST of my time at work has been downright fun, and I enjoy what I do. You are going to be doing this for some time, and you only have to answer to one guy--the one in the mirror. Pick the one you think that guy will enjoy the most, and the rest will fall into place.
Good luck whatever you choose....
11-17-2016, 12:55 PM
#19
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,339
A very interesting thread!
A decade or so ago I was in a very similar position and ended up chosing ups over swa. FDX has several provisions that are even better than ups so I'd imagine if I were in your shoes back then I'd have picked fdx over swa.
I'd have been happy at swa too but so far I haven't regretted my decision for all the reasons mentioned here so far. I guess the day I retire I'll know for sure.
Too bad this question can't be posted on both fdx and swa threads to get more responses from current swa pilots. Many PAX pilots never read cargo threads (and vice versa).
Congrats on having such great choices. Good luck to you no matter where you end up..
A decade or so ago I was in a very similar position and ended up chosing ups over swa. FDX has several provisions that are even better than ups so I'd imagine if I were in your shoes back then I'd have picked fdx over swa.
I'd have been happy at swa too but so far I haven't regretted my decision for all the reasons mentioned here so far. I guess the day I retire I'll know for sure.
Too bad this question can't be posted on both fdx and swa threads to get more responses from current swa pilots. Many PAX pilots never read cargo threads (and vice versa).
Congrats on having such great choices. Good luck to you no matter where you end up..
11-17-2016, 02:01 PM
#20
Reserve
Joined APC: Mar 2011
Position: 73 FO
Posts: 75
Originally Posted by HERKMAN
Ok, I'll give you perspective from a guy who spent 5 months at SWA then came over to purple. I retired from the AF in Jan 2016. First of all, you are working your ass off if you fly 113 TFP a month. I was on pace to fly 800 hours my first year, at FDX most guys average around 500. Work less get paid more. Guys at SWA told me I was going to get real old working at FDX, funny they looked pretty old flying 5 legs a day. 1 or 2 legs a day is the norm at FDX. Trip trade, open time and vacation policy are very similar at the two companies.
Put the extra money you make at FDX into your house or fav toy and have those paid off at retirement. A-plan + mil retirement and you are sitting pretty, not to mention the B plan + 401k at FDX. Profit sharing at SWA is going to be all over the place, look at the historical numbers on that.
Believe me, once you start flying in the cramped 737 cockpit, you'll want other options. I felt the same way you did about never having to train again, but going 737 to 767/757 was super easy.
You also have to look at the little things:
Ipad international data plan, not at SWA
Paid uniforms, not at SWA
Catering, not at SWA
Paid parking, not at SWA
And the MOST important detail for a commuter....you can book your jumpseat 3 weeks in advance. This is HUGE man. I commuted into Houston Hobby and it was a knife fight for the jumpseat every time!
Not that upgrading is the most important thing but....I want to at least have the opportunity to upgrade before I've spent 13 years with the company. Guys are getting 757 Capt bids with less than a year on property at FDX. They won't start training for 18 months or so after but 3 years to 757 capt aint bad. PM me if you want any more reasons to come to purple.
Put the extra money you make at FDX into your house or fav toy and have those paid off at retirement. A-plan + mil retirement and you are sitting pretty, not to mention the B plan + 401k at FDX. Profit sharing at SWA is going to be all over the place, look at the historical numbers on that.
Believe me, once you start flying in the cramped 737 cockpit, you'll want other options. I felt the same way you did about never having to train again, but going 737 to 767/757 was super easy.
You also have to look at the little things:
Ipad international data plan, not at SWA
Paid uniforms, not at SWA
Catering, not at SWA
Paid parking, not at SWA
And the MOST important detail for a commuter....you can book your jumpseat 3 weeks in advance. This is HUGE man. I commuted into Houston Hobby and it was a knife fight for the jumpseat every time!
Not that upgrading is the most important thing but....I want to at least have the opportunity to upgrade before I've spent 13 years with the company. Guys are getting 757 Capt bids with less than a year on property at FDX. They won't start training for 18 months or so after but 3 years to 757 capt aint bad. PM me if you want any more reasons to come to purple.
You're confused. Guys at swa said you looked old, not that you were going to. Must be the salt and pepper hair.
BA
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
