You're spinning semantics to somehow make a point which didn't need to be made.

The comment was OBVIOUSLY tongue in check, I wasn't seriously suggesting LTD as a career plan. In the context of the the discussion (guy's intent to hit the road for a year), LTD would almost certainly not be compatible with that, that's an obvious fact for anyone who knows how it works. I wasn't saying you couldn't go to vegas for the weekend, I was saying it might be hard to arrange for company or state-approved follow-up appts. in Prague, Timbuckthree, or wherever. If you think the company and/or state will pay you indefinite LTD with no obligation for any sort of follow up or accountability, we'll have to agree to disagree on that. It's not in their best interest to make it that easy, and some even require that you do office work.

 

I was on LTD for approx 3 years. I don't recall any restrictive follow-up appts.
I did a month long trip to Asia with my daughter during that time. We nonrevved; not able to ID90.

 

Thanks for the plug. I haven't completely ruled out Southwest, but through the searching here I know there is quite a bit longer delay to upgrade at WN compared to the big three. How do you feel about your scheduling flexibility? I have read here good and bad in my long lurking...

 

But I need to know who is winning the Derby next!

 

Upgrade is lengthy and the pilot group is young. No doubt. The good news for you as a west coaster, is that those are the most junior captain bases too. So while many from the middle and eastern parts of the country are bypassing upgrade due to the challenging commute, it may work in your favor.

Scheduling flexibility isn't bad once you are a line holder. There are a variety of mechanisms to move and trade trips to make your schedule work for you. The things that WN is lacking compared with their legacy counterparts are the ability to drop trips - you can't do it. (You can try to give away a trip in the hopes that another pilot will want it) and long call reserve. It doesn't exist here.

The CBA is also a little lacking with regard to reroutes and junior manning, but SWAPA acknowledges it and is trying to work on it. The good news is that chaos pays, with most schedule disruptions resulting in premium pay or double time.

Not sure it would be my first choice if I were in your shoes, but it's a good safety school!

 

I think at least a couple of majors farm the verification part out to Harvey Watt. Each condition/disability is probably handled differently. My friend has a progressive condition and as such there is no known cure or follow up required once you have the diagnosis. He gets paid, all the time off, and free travel till 65, but I know he'd rather give all that up for his seat back in the cockpit.

Understood though that when one starts this career, almost no one plans on going on LTD, but as I've had a couple of friends that didn't make it to 65 (one as young as 52) the details of our LTD became a reality before they ever expected it and thank goodness they have been happy with their $$$$ circumstances cause in those times you have other things to worry about.

 

Disregard…

 

The right answer is FedEx

Also, if your are a quality of life guy then you should’ve moved long ago.

 

Just because one is a commuter, doesn’t mean they are not a QOL person. Although his comment about upgrade time concern at SWA makes me think, maybe he really isn’t? Anyway, he already has interviews at the legacies so unless he gets turned down by all three, it’s kind of pointless to discuss FDX and others with a socal base.