I would agree if we are talking about Flight Attendants

Allen Iversen voice : but We talkin about Pilots

In my class at United there were 6 pilots from Southwest, there were only 5 from JetBlue and Spirit combined.

Find someone who left United, Delta, or American to go to Southwest and have them DM me.

They do NOT have widebodies.

Ive never heard of the Big 4 until you today.

You are Welcome to your opinion but I do not share it and I'm willing very few others do.

 

When I talk to pilots on my jumpseat, I often hear "Tryna get hired by a legacy"......,.maybe I m assuming incorrectly that they don't mean Hawaiian.
I ve yet to hear someone say "tryna get hired by one of the big 4", I have heard people say. "The big 3"....

Some pilots will specifically mention Southwest by name if it is included in thier destination carriers.

Im not really too concerned with what language Robin and others were using trying to convince a judge in a court of LAW to get a merger approved.

 

The Big 4 is a thing. Grow up.

 

YES when your neighbor is figuring out who to take to Fort Lauderdale en route to his cruise. 100%

However with respect to JetBlue attrition: it simply is NOT.

I may even go as far to suggest that WN, doesn't even make the top 4 of destinations of those who leave JetBlue. I think FedEx might just edge them out.

In any event DL, UA, AAL, I estimate those three carriers make up greater than 95% of those who do leave JetBlue.

Furthermore interviewers at JetBlue have admitted (privately not publicly obviously) that consideration is given to where a candidate lives so as to handicap thier odds of eventually moving on. I have yet to hear "This guy lived near Annapolis....so you know at first chance he's leaving to Southwest cause of BWI you know..."

 

We now have the “Big 5” since AS/HA merged

 

The company just offered 705 incentive lines(15% of the pilot group) for December. They may not award them all but I would say it’s safe we aren’t hiring for a long time.

 

Dude, just take the L on this one. First of all, It's ok to say, "ah, damn I forgot about AS/HA ". They are both absolutely legacies, they always have been a top of the food chain, career destination and even more so now that they are merging.

Second you've been moving the goal post everytime to make a post. First it was Hawaii and Alaska aren't legacies, then it was Southwest isn't the "big 4", now it's jetblue attrition is how you define the "big 3". Southwest historically has been one of the most desireable and hardest places to get into, people use to pay for their own 737 type rating just to interview there not too long ago. There was a 2 year blip where people use them as a springboard while they were negotiating their new contract when it was a hiring frenzy. Same as United giving out widebody and captain slots to new hires, and Delta's quick widebody upgrades. Blip on the radar and not the norm.

 

2024 may have been the year of the JB Captain....Incredible ability to drop trips....trade....take VILs etc............My guess is 2025 becomes the year of the FO while the CA side tightens up. CAs will be flying their awards with less ability to trade and drop. Just my .02

 

I never claimed AS/HA werent legacies...but for the record and I DO NOT KNOW.......wasnt just Hawaiian. In any event this side thread was spawned by merging targets claim that JetBlue attrition going to the BIG 4. I honestly didnt know who the 4th one was in his post.

Southwest is a great airline.....I ve obviosuly triggered some Southwest Pilots by informing them that many Pilots (apparently just me) dont see them in the same light as AAL, DL, and UAL.

Again I think attrition data from JetBlue but ULCC/LCC would likely support that.

Im sorry if I've offended anybody.

 

The over/under is 200 total awarded VILs, place your bets.