Yep, 123 rule for a pilot group making more than all of us combined. It's great they have it but man are we all jealous...

 

SWA has done many things well for years, but we are at the tipping point of finally losing that "infectious" high energy, can do spirit...our new CEO is a numbers guy that does not value people and cannot be trusted. He is smarter than most airline CEO's but has alienated labor already almost irreparably in his short tenure. We all knew the good times would come to an end some day at good ole SWA and that we would eventually become like the rest in the long run, but no one expected it this soon. I hate to say it, but when Herb left, so did the heart and soul of SWA and now we are just left with the heartless, soulless management that every other airline has.

"Mongo just pawn in game of life"

 

Besides SWA pay scale...can you be specific on how the company rewards you?

 

Are you serious? The pay is brought back to where it should be? Holy cow! I can't actually believe you are an airline pilot. Inflation adjusted from 1979 we should all be making $300,000. Anything less is a concession. Attitudes like yours lower the bar for all of us.

 

You beat me to it. I thought I was the only one who caught that. By the way, what is the 123 rule at SWA?

 

$1 beer, $2 wine, $3 well drinks at overnights...the best thing we have going...at least for now

 

Flyboy,

I have several old Air Force bros that are at SWA, and everyone I've talked to loves it. Granted, that's compared to doing trips to Iraq, but still. I'm close to retirement, so I've been surfing this site and it's seems to me that the majority of people posting here are like me...looking for their next job. I don't think too many SWA guys are looking for new jobs. That answers it for me.

 

I took his statement differently. I think he is talking about pay going back UP to where it was not back as in backwards. It could be taken either way so maybe a clarification is in order before you tar and feather the guy.

 

I think that many of the people that work at SWA are as happy as everyone thinks they are. It is not perfect, but I don't think you will find a company in this country that is. I worked there for 5 years, and I had some great times- I should write a book about it all someday. There can definitely be a "party" environment- the 123 thing doesn't help! Many of the pilots who choose to work at SWA are more of that type of personality than ones who choose to work at a more traditional, conservative airline.
Someone asked earlier what other rewards are given- obviously pay and 123 top the list. After that I would say kick-ass insurance, awesome company and new hire parties, cheap buddy passes...
I had knee surgery when I was a new hire. One day, a large box arrived on my doorstep with a huge wool blanket with the Southwest logo on it and a get-well card from Colleen. After I had my son, a box arrived with real flight attendant wings with his name on them. Maybe all of the airlines do these things- I don't know, honestly. But I think the combination of everything is why everyone seems so happy.

 

You're right, pilotwife, it was a great ride at SWA while it lasted...I'm afraid those days are gone though. This place has changed more in the last 2 years than the 35 before it. Gary is killing the SWA culture one metric at a time. Your husband probably hasn't noticed yet because he is like many pilots here...just happy to be here and have a job in these trying times. One day he will notice though and he'll realize that the dream is over here as it has turned into just another airline job only his retirement is much worse than his peers at other carriers. This is not the company I signed up for and I wish it wasn't so...too bad Herb couldn't stay with us forever.