Unless you have more kids...

Really? Commute for longer, spend more time at the bottom of the FO list in DEN, same upgrade (possibly longer at UAL since I refuse to commute and DEN is their most Sr base in the system), and all to fly the exact same plane I'm flying now (maybe a 320).

No thanks.

I'm not going to commute (don't care how many times a month) or be tethered to a phone on LCR just so I can say, "Oh jeez, I'm gonna go to Narita 3x this month. I'm so lucky". I don't like long haul flights. I don't like trips longer than 3 days. So I'd prob be bidding 757 domestic or the NB at UAL...which pays the exact same $. If that makes me an idiot, so be it. I don't have any regrets.

This has to be flame bait. I'm just an outsider looking in, but if Denver is home, SWA is going to offer more days at home for the next decade than UAL. That's a win on the QOL front. Not to mention the freedom to pick up extra flying with greater seniority. Probably a win in coin for the next ten years as well.

All this not mention that UAL management can't hold a candle to SWA. SWA's not perfect, but UAL is run by the JV team.

We all have different priorities with this career and oftentimes they are driven by what season of life we are in. Family, kids, etc all change the algebra.

Some people want max time at home while the kids are young. Others want that quick upgrade either for ego or cash. Some want big airplanes flying to far away places. Others can't stand more than 3 hours in the seat. Some people handle a commute with grace and dignity. I melt into a quivering pile of frustration jelly after the 3rd flight pushes full without me on it.

It's not short sighted. People just want different things. Maybe the UAL guys will make more money for less work over the course of a career. But will the SW guy be able to provide a good living for his family, maybe buy some toys, and be present for all of those important family events? If so... then who cares?

Do what makes you happy. A little extra money isn't going to make a difference in the grand scheme.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Well said!
Different strokes for different folks!
We all would be happy living in base at a career airline!
I'll be happy with whomever gives me a class date first, then worry about the rest later!

How long to hold DEN as an FO?
How long to hold DEN as a Captain?
Thanks!

At SWA or UAL?

For SWA the FO plug is a Jan '17 hire. For CA the plug is a Dec '06 hire.

So 6 mos or so for FO and 10.5 yrs for CA. Upgrade currently around 9.5-10 yrs so can almost hold it as soon as you can hold left seat.

For UAL I don't have exact info but on the 737 it's around 1.5-2 yrs to hold DEN as a FO and last I heard 16-17 yrs for a CA.

I meant SWA, thanks!

Can anyone tell me if the retirement numbers on this site are correct?

I used 8,600 pilots at SWA, minus 2,823 cumulative mandatory retirements from 2018-2028, that's 5,777 or 67% on the seniority list. That seems pretty junior for upgrade. I just talked to a friend yesterday who did indeed upgrade at the 10+ year mark. Admittedly I have no idea which percentage of a pilot group bypasses upgrade.

I wish I could engrave this on a plaque with a giant bust of Zap (the cartoon Zap, not the actual person) and put outside the training center.