Happens at CAL every day. Guys are bailing in droves and I don't blame them one bit. Our first year pay and no medical bennies for first six months is outrageous. Who cares about the departing company, do you think they care when you get furloughed?

ALK will not care that you have a 737 type now. You are hired. The next time that you will take the license out of your pocket is after you pass your sim and get your fancy 737SIC on it. Just before you take the sim, tell the instructor you already have a type. He will not care, he is a line pilot, he has nothing to do with the hiring process. The company has already sunk $30,000 into you.

PS, it is good training and great people. Nowhere to go but up from here.

I'd have to agree with this. I think in this day in age you need to do what is best for you and your family. We had a guy in my NH class that said he was just here at WN to wait for UPS. UPS finally called him and after 3 months he left. There are plenty of guys around to replace him, just as there will be people to replace you at Alaska or Southwest or wherever you land. (pardon the pun)

Type rating no big deal
 

I wouldn't worry about the 737 type-rating issue. I had the type rating on my resume along with the FE written and still got hired. I don't think it will be a big deal in training, and I doubt anyone would even notice/make a deal out of it. Come to AS and go to WN later if you feel that it's necessary. Like the others said, do what's best for your situation. It's just business.

Well, CEO's get tens of millions in annual bonuses from the board of directors or sharholders from their respective companies to "retain their management talent" and keep them from jumping ship in short order or some BS like that - maybe its time that sentiment gets passed onto pilots! Business is business. Some Food for thought....

It looks like you made your mind up when you went and got the type rating. I would stick with your current job and wait for SW. It sounds like you would be starting in April or May if things do not change. If they continue to have classes it could be in Jan. I would also agree that you will be hired by SW they are still growing every year.

First, what I think doesnt mean squat. But if it was ME, I would probably do the lesser of two evils but the higher risk move which would be to stay put and wait on SW. I know thats not conventional wisdom as preached here but thats just me. NOW, if it wasnt SW or another premium carrier then I'd say bite the bullet now and go to AS. If you choose SW now and let the AS class go someone else who wants AS will get it. If you take AS NOW and later decide you dont want to go to SW, someone will get that slot as well.
Good Luck, and congratulations.

Do whats best for you and your family. You can always leave one company for another. Think big picture: pay, benefits, job security, growth, etc. I think SW's track record over the last 30 years speaks for itself. Don't loose sleep on what the company will think, they'll furlough or cut your pay in an instant.

Faceman,

As a 7yr. FO for Alaska, I share the same sentiments as Mike734. You are in the driver's seat. Take the job. After 6 months you'll be so tired of being jerked around on reserve that you will be running for the door. Just out of curiosity, are you from the Northwest?

UW,
I currently live in the SEA area, but did not grow up here. One of the reasons that WN is more attractive to me is the varied domiciles. While I love the NW, i dont know if we want to live here forever. Both our families are near a WN base. Plus, we have found that we like to move around every few years, WN gives me the ability to be near bases and live around the country.

Just for the record, I am less concerned with what the company will think about me leaving as I am about how my desicion will affect the people who wrote me letters. I know the company would not think twice about furloughing or cutting pay (as has been illustrated), but friends of mine put their name behind me, I dont want to screw them.