Southwest vs. NetJets
 

It seems the other thread has evolved into a different discussion, so I'm just looking for a little feedback, a WWYD scenario. I am:

-38yo, sole earner, wife + 2 small kids at home
-13yr XL Capt at NJA (one of the most junior)
-CJO from SWA
-Live 2:10 from the nearest SWA base, which I could probably hold w/i a few months I think.

Trying to decide: Stay at NJA or jump on at SWA?
(I'm new on here so be gentle)

i would stay at NJA, but I like that kind of flying more. 121 is a whole different animal. What are you looking for?

I've done both... it's the same kind of flying but in a bigger jet with a flight crew and more support on the road. The schedule doesn't change on the drop of a hat. All you know at net jets is that you will be home sometime on your last day. 2-4 legs a day at SWA just like an average day at EJA. At 38 you have a long career at SWA. I'm sure the upgrades will continue to drop. Maybe by 50 you could hold captain. I've done both and I prefer the 121 side. You sound like you have the golde handcuffs on. Tough choice.

I would have to ask why you applied to Southwest in the first place? That might be a good starting point. Was it because you were just curious about being competitive or was there or a feeling for a change because of other issues.

I was senior to you and left to be a commuter. It was a really hard decision, but it has been the right choice, so far.

Also, I have yet to meet anybody that has left NJA for a major that regrets it.

I would imagine the decision is about the same as the decision to leave a spouse/GF. It's a comfort zone. They said they would change. Is it really that bad? What if I don't find anyone else (Furlough)? Then, you get the courage to do it. And, you realize that they weren't changing, and there is better out there.

27 years is still a long time in this career.

Go with your gut. If your gut told you to apply, then there is probably a reason for it. As a 13 year captain you will be junior in everything for a long time at NJA, unless you bid back to FO on something. If you're going to do that then you might as well be an FO at SWA and make more money doing it.

Just my thoughts.
BT

I’ve done both. I worked at NJ and left in 2012 for G4. I had a little over 5 years seniority and I’m older than you. Leaving for G4 was a big leap, especially back then. Today I’m a Captain on the airbus and home every night, a quality of life that could never be had there for one. Had I stayed, I would still be sic for probably another 5 or 6 years to go before an upgrade on a contract at NJ that was recently signed; 10 years amendable which will probably never be in the ball park of SWA.

I never did like part 135 taxi, which essentially what NJ is. 4 to 5 legs of taxi at NJ, I would equate to 7 or 8 legs at the regional(s) I was at. You will never feel as exhausted at SWA doing 4 to 5 legs as you do at NJ. The standard 7-day trip, week on week off is a complete imbalance to good living in my opinion. I didn’t mind 3 to 4 day trips at one of the regionals that I flew for. Being under 40 gives you ample time to recover a career that will be less fatiguing, even with some light commuting you will still be home more. You will easily make up the money.

As the dad of 2 small children, definitely!

Being gone for 7 days may be a necessity for some dads, but if there's a chance of flying shorter trips, go to SWA.

On a a three day trip, you'll be home part of day one and three, so effectively gone one full day. At NetJets not only are you gone for a full five days, you may be somewhere that you can't get home in a hurry if your family needs you.

Go!

++++++!!!!!!

Exactly what he said. I have small kids and I couldn't imagine leaving my wife and kids for 7 days at a stretch. You would become a guest in your own home...

It is really hard. It is hard to be gone 7 days, and it is also hard to get back into family life once I get back. It takes a day for me to get back into being home.