SWA or Fractional?
 

I am at a defining moment in my life where I could go with airline or fractionals. With the state of the industry, the only airline I'm seriously persuing is SWA, but several of the fracionals look really good. My wife is concerned about the lack of travel privalages with the fracs. We love to travel and would do alot of it on my time off. My question is, if I were blessed enough to have the choice, which direction would offer the better vacation/family travel? Does the pay rate at the fractionals outweigh the lack of travel privs?
Thanks. i'll post the same question in the "Major" section to get a balanced oppinion.

I'm in the same position. I have the mins to apply to Continental, SWA, etc, but I'm more interested in the flying at the fracs...NJA (and what I believe to be better stability)...

So I am holding out from applying to the 121s, until I meet the mins for the fracs and see if they are interested.... if not, I'll be putting those 121 apps in.

I think its obvious that SWA pays a hell of a lot more than any fractional... in fact long term income potential is way better at SWA... but for me, I think I'll like the 7-7 schedule better, and the lack of a commute.

Good luck

Keeps us posted on your process.

Who knows for sure. If you don't care about the type of flying, I'd say go to SWA, get the higher salary and the profit sharing, and have a great time... I have a bunch of friends there who love it, and tell me I'm crazy... I guess only time will tell.

8 year Netjet guy currently beating my college roomate in YTD salary at SWA who has been there for 8 years. He is a reserve CAPT and will work 20+ more days than I this year. We had a $500 bet who would make more this year :D

Thanks, jmack, but for me it's more with QAL etc than with money (although that is important). I was wondering if the benefits are much better in either direction; ie, if I don't get flight privs for me and my family, does the salary cover the diference? It sounds like the pay is comparable - at least from the pay tables.

and he (SWA Capt) has to fly twice as many hours each month on top of that.

You will probably get between 4 and 6 free airline tickets a year between airline miles you get on the way to and from work and from the Hilton double dipping. You will probably get at least 2 weeks of free hotel rooms a year from your hotel points. A lot of NJA guys go to Hawaii with their family every year for a week on points. The free airline tickets will probably be spread out since most of the domiciles are not a major hub for a specific airline so it's hard to get up to Silver or Gold with an airline where your miles get multiplied for more and more free miles. That said, jumpseating is awesome (better for single guys than families) and a family would have benefits on SWA which does continue to expand its routes and offer a lot destinations.

SWA will probably earn you more over the long run and you will probably end up with more days off- just not 7 in a row twice a month with 3 weeks off for every vacation. I believe reserve at SW is 15 off a month and with some seniority that will go up. I am very happy at NJA, but I would consider SWA if I had friends there- up until the day I upgrade. That is the one Airline that has a history of great management and that actually looks ahead to keep things going strong. Good luck whatever you choose.

Awsome input, JTF560. I didn't think of the miles angle. My main concern is not knowing where I'll be going for another 6 months+. I am unemployed in June and from what I hear, most companies don't even call you for interviews, etc until 1-2 months of availability date. Kind of scary for me and the family.

Unless your on the BBJ I don't think you can beat the SWA pay. 200k is easy at SWA. Living in base you can make easy 230k. What about profit sharing and 401k? Don't get me wrong, I think Net Jets is a great place to work.

We may fly twice as many hours but how many hours do you spend in a hotel room waiting for a call?

If you really have to ask then go to the fractional! I would also persue CAL and once you get the job offers do some good research and remember this forum does not count as "good research."