SWAcapt

SNAFU, you apparently have not read many of Ryane's past posts... he's consistently ill informed. PS Love your avatar, who is she?

SWAcapt

Well Bob, actually I can. That was one of the big draws for me. I've flown all over the world in the Navy and traveled extensively. Now I never change more than 2 time zones and never spend more than 3 nights in a row in a hotel. What I can't imagine is someone spending their life as a professional pilot and having to wear brown.

CargoBob

First of all, flying for SWA is an excellent job...we all know it!

You flew international in the military...been there, done that, now you stay domestic and love it--I don't blame you a bit. However, spending your entire life (FLAP children) flying CONUS would be a little lame.

Widow's Son

Here's a consideration for young people. Airbus and Boeing are both working on technology that replaces flight crews with joystick jockeys in cubicles on the ground and perhaps a single cheap mechanic/programmer in the air.

I have a friend who works in simulation programming who is assigned to this type of project and have watched the process done in simulators in their lab.
If the underlying premis (watching the death of my career) weren't so offensive, the technology is actually fascinating, and the arguments they make for the safety advantages are compelling.

Between the military and the commercial industry there are billions being spent right now on replacing airborne pilots and those involved in the various stages of the projects all agree that while eventually it will overtake the entire industry, it will be the cargo industry that will revamp first for the simple fact that the boxes don't care and at least for now, the public does.

We are all just cost items, and the more we cost, the more incentive to find ways to reduce the cost.

BoxFlyer

This might sound cool, but I don't every see this happening with commercial sized jets. Would you pay $500 a ticket to fly Chicago to Miami, knowing there's no pilots upfront, and that your jet was being flown by some Bill Gates high school nerd "joystick jockey"? I know I wouldn't. Plus, I'd like to see this jockey taxi his 757 around O'Hare in the middle of a big AA and UAL push, trying to interact with Chicago ground countrol as he's sitting somewhere playing his PS3.

The beancounters are dreaming if this would ever happen. Whats next, robots driving 18 wheelers down I-95? I'm sure the FAA wouldn't be too big on this jockey either.

quimby

here we go again....

FreightDawgyDog

"Between the military and the commercial industry there are billions being spent right now on replacing airborne pilots and those involved in the various stages of the projects all agree that while eventually it will overtake the entire industry, it will be the cargo industry that will revamp first for the simple fact that the boxes don't care and at least for now, the public does."

I think any large aircraft, pax or cargo, flying over our cities and our homes unmanned will be a pretty hard thing for the public to ever buy. This topic of cargo vs pax flying has been discussed over and over on other threads. Maybe the mods could post a link to one of the previous ones? Bottom line is take the job you are offered, then take the job you like if and when you get another offer. Since SWA charges you a type rating to work there it would be better to go to UPS first and if you don't like it you can go to SWA and pay for your job then. That way you wouldn't be out any money. All in all it would be a nice problem to have....

OscartheGrouch

CB,

You are correct that quick turns/customs would be difficult to manage but adaptation and change do happen (I have watched SWA do it since 1979). One thing I have learned here is never say never! We can't do any worse than some airlines are doing with their international flights.

Would you please give us your intelligent and informed answer as to what an airline does with 750 737's?

I actually have figured that if it is my fate to work only in the USA I will survive. I am happy and from now on I will have every holiday/weekend off and vacation choice I would like. If I was to complain about my situation at this point I would be seen as a whiner. There are enough of those out there.

Freightpuppy

To each his own but I agree. AND you have to fly the same airplane the entire time (unless it's the 75) . AND you have to fly people (probably the worst thing about it).

ryane946

double posted