Good points. but in this business sometimes you got to Dance with the one who brought you.

The choice is individual and is different for everyone.

Would I be happy flying the 737 to Lubbock , Oakland or Oklahoma City for the rest of my life or Would I someday want to fly International.

If I had to sit on the bottom of a list for many years, I would not want to commute. I would look at which are the most junior domiciles. Could or would I live in that city. How tough of a commute would it be if I or spouse won't live there.

How much does a FO make on Reserve in year 2,3 4 and beyond.

At DAL what does the MD88 or 717 or 737 pay in the first 5 years and year 12 as compared to SWA. What is reserve guarantee? What is the reserve system like. Short call only or is there a long call.

What is the retirement benefits. what are the travel benefits.

What if neither company grows, what are the mandatory retirement numbers for each, in other words which carrier will I move up quickest due to Mandatory retirements.

Again if you are lucky enough to get offers from both, you have a choice, otherwise go with the one who offers.

No offense to Delta folks, but I would want to be at the bottom of SWA due to the culture, job stability, business plan, pay scale, profit sharing, common sense approach, NEVER FURLOUGHED (yet), outstanding people, flexibility, & the luv. The only negative is being a terminal FO...but I could live with that.

No offense taken. You should go where you want to go.

But keep in mind Delta also has profit sharing, a solid business plan, a very comparable pay scale, common sense approach, flexibility, outstanding people, and a much larger variety of flying. In addition, Delta has way more attrition scheduled and your type ratings are free. Delta also has growth aircraft coming in the next 3 years.

That's like saying buy Microsoft stock now because it has returned 15% a year on average since 1985. Delta didn't furlough for 40 years as well, until they did. The growth that luv has known is over. The culture is also changing. Gary is a bean counter. Their costs are way higher than they used to be.

Hmm and no matter what happens tonight AU will still be terrible next year. OUCH!

Freedom of choice is a great thing. We all look for and want different things. Everyones "measuring stick for success" is different. All your points are really solid making the decision that much more difficult, but respectfully, given a choice, I would still select SWA. Luckily, I'm extremely fortunate and landed my "dream job" (for the second time) so I am not faced with this decision...unless it all falls apart...again.

?

Actually, the news on their coaching staff, juco transfers and what looks to be another top 10 recruiting class is very good.

Interesting analogy, I don't get it, but then again I'm not a big brain dude. Delta is an outstanding airline, I simply chose SWA for my own personal reasons.

Well, specifically on the first part of what Columbia said is spot on. Delta had never furloughed until it furloughed. Kind of like Pan Am had never gone out of business until it did.

See if this sounds familiar.. 35 freaking years of consecutive profits and we've never furloughed!!! That's what Delta pilots could say in the early 80s.

I mean, Delta's employees loved the place so much they payroll deducted a 767.

Then they didn't make a profit. Then a decade later they furloughed... after a merger I believe? eh?

It works until it breaks, it's a valid point looking at any company.

I know which one you are!