I left SWA and have had a successful career
 

Here it is guys and gals! Having been at SWA for many years I have seen many folks leave to go to greener pastures. I would like to hear how that has worked out. I personally can't recall any success stories up until now. The future may change things. For now I am all ears!

The Oscar

Why do you care? Why would it have any relevance to you whatsoever?

Because Oscar has always been a bit insecure and needs reassurance and ego boosting from his sycophants on APC.

Actually PD we have some who are considering leaving SWA because things will be so great at .............brand X. Just knowing how it worked out for some in the past may be relevant to those making the decision currently.

BTW, why do you care? It is a question designed to stimulate discussion. It may be helpful to some trying to make an important decision.:cool:

The Oscar

Oh yeah AH! I have been fortunate surely. I need no ego boosting however! After all I am a sky god (aka a pilot).

We had many leave in the late 90's to go to UAL only to be furloughed. We now have some thinking they would be better off leaving and getting on with DAL or someone else. In the current environment they might even be making a great move. Just trying to stimulate a discussion. My ego is fine. Thanks for your concern.:cool:

The Oscar

I turned down a SWA interview in 2007. Not exactly on the same level, but I have no regrets. Nothing against the people at SWA, just wasn't feeling the LUV.

I know guys who left North West for TWA and Pan Am in the early 1980's. This industry is too unstable to try to guess which carrier is going to be around in 10-20 years.

What looks like a sure thing today could be seen as a huge blunder in 5 years, given a new CEO, a Merger, a Bankruptcy, etc. Nobody has a crystal ball that works 100% of the time.

It's a crap shoot.

Roll the dice and hope for the best and then don't drive yourself crazy thinking "I could'a, should'a, would'a."

Well said.

Folks that bailed other gigs for (insert insolvent airline here) were thought of as visionaries or idiots on the day they left.

None of us know until the very end.

Choose for your future with foresight and hindsight if that is actually possible.

Very true! I chose Delta over FedEx and SWA because, a) I'd flown cargo all night as a C141 guy in the USAF for 20 years, and b) I didn't want to be relegated to flying the 737 for my entire commercial career. Now, at DAL, I fly all night long in the 737. :D

I love Delta and where we're going and I'm thrilled with my choice. But, you never know do you?

Oscar,
Everyone knows nobody left swa and had a successful career, it's not possible...and all it's done is create a whole new subset of people who hate southwest.:eek: