I have the opportunity to leave CAL after a year to come to SWA in a few months.
I was hoping to get some information from line operators to help me make a sound decision. I don’t want this to be a CAL or SWA bash contest. Just pearls of wisdom to aid me in choosing what is best for me. Amazing how a year can change things as far as perspectives go.
I actually like CAL and think it is a good Legacy and will be after all this mess. I believe it could be a great company in the next 3-6 years. Why? The old bottom feeding mentality will have been retired out of the company when 65 hits a good 1200-1500 senior pilots. There is about 2000-3000 young guys here that are ready to take the helm and could make a great pilot group. The next contract should net a 10-30% pay raise. Couple this with parking all the lower paying 300 and 500s this should help by another 10.00 per hour. However, there is a lot that can go wrong with my assumptions too.
I want to hear form SW guys about their thoughts and insight into the company. I hear that the company is going to hit a “wall” with domestic growth dwindling and once the hedges run out SW will be like everyone else. I know SWA has fought other walls before and conquered them well. Where is SWA headed for the future? International?
Most say that you work 15 days a month for the rest of your life and have the 3 on 4 off schedule until you retire. How many guys actually have 18+ days off a month or how many work less than 15 day a month? I know you guys have good schedule flexibility though.
This last 500-900 you hiring over the next 2 years could be the last for a while. What’s the odds of sitting on the bottom for years and taking a long time to upgrade? How many 65 guys are hurting the company in the sense of upgrade time?
Finally, what are likes and dislikes of flying for SWA? How is the AUS commute to HOU?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Flyby