To the YAP,

I totally agree with Shoelu and TS. Take that job that is offered and make a decision later based on what is right for you and your family. I left a major to come to SWA. Granted it was a major running on fumes (PAA) but it had the big equipment that many of my classmates desired to fly. I also passed on an interview with NWA when it was offered in l989 ($25 down the drain).

There must be something wrong with me since I convinced myself that flying heavies was no big deal. No regrets and I don't lose any sleep over my decision 24+ years ago. It has worked out for me.

I now feel the industry is totally different and if someone chooses to leave SWA it will probably work out for them. I would almost bet that it will. Will it work out perfectly for them? Will flying the heavy equipment be as satisfying as some say it will? Who knows? That is why I asked for well thought info so that people can make a decision in today's airline environment.

One person mentioned that they left to go to Cathay. I have flown with a guy here at SWA who left Cathay. Wasn't what he thought it would be. Different stokes as they say.

We had numerous people leave here in the late 90's and got burned by 9-11. One Air Force vet left in the "summer of love" (2000) and when I ran into her in early 2001 (before 9-11) she admitted to me she made a mistake. Get the good information you can and make an informed decision.

The Oscar

Oscar youre right to each his own. If swa opened a PHL base tomorrow and it went junior (it wont) id be their number 1 fan. Swa is a good deal for certain people and a bad deal for others. You'll see a lot of guys not even finish ground school in 2014 at swa because their situation would be better at a different airline. Its not business, its just personal.

You meant that the other way around, right?

Thanks, all, for the good advice. 2014 looks like it may become the year of the ancient Chinese curse, "May you live in interesting times". Here's to things getting interesting!

Cheers!

YAP

Isn't it all about personal QOL and how that fits into your life plan. One man's success story is another man's disaster. If you look at the people that are the bottom 5% at SWA, it probably isn't as amazing as it is for you. If I was a new hire at SWA I would be miserable. I am not mobile, and I live on the other side of the country then their junior bases.

So all the hype means nothing to me, did I apply yes, but my heart just isnt into it. I am not into commuting, and I am at a place right now with no commute. Jet Blue would actually be my best bet, because I live in a junior base, and that would require no commute, and the money isn't a big issue for me.

So like I said, Southwest might be amazing for you, but not amazing to others. To go to a place for pay, although it hasn't happened to Southwest yet, that big pay check can be cut in half one day and then what will you think? If you look at the new American, Delta and United, they are running their schedules more lean to compete with you guys and jet blue.

Like I tell everyone leaving where I work now, don't just leave to leave, make sure it fits your life, and make your decision on current pay, make it on QOL .

By the way I fly the Heavy Equipment, and if places had bases in Boston, flying anything and the pay was descent I would bail. The bigger the airplane the bigger the suitcase. When you have a wife you love and children that's a big factor. You made a great decision. No airplane is that cool!