Are you still coming here after signing the new contract at Spirit? I can totally understand leaving Spirit before the contract, but why would one leave now? I'm just curious, and it also might be helpful to others wondering about making the same or similar jump. You wouldn't be the only one... a good buddy of mine made a jump from Alaska too, and a couple of others from JetBlue.

In any case, if you are indeed still coming to Southwest, welcome aboard!

 

This is a great question for those considering the jump. I have a buddy who is a 3 year FO at Spirit and will, most likely upgrade this summer. He ran a comparison between SWA and Spirit's new contract. It would take him almost 10 years to make up the difference in pay (including retirement and profit sharing) if he came to SWA. After that with a 30+ year career he would come out over $2 million more coming to SWA, if all else stays the same. SWA has a proven business model in both good and bad times, Spirit does not yet have a long term record to really see if their business model will last the next 3 decades. I'd say if you are under 40 take a good hard look at the LONG term potential at each place before making a jump.

 

Thanks! Appreciate the feedback!

 

Yea man I am still coming. There are a lot of factors, but a few of them and not in any order of preference:

1. I grew up in a SWA family ( so I have always wanted to work for SWA). I know SWA is not the SWA of the 80s, but it is still the best airline by far to work for as far as management and culture.

2. I live in the Dallas area, I will never have to commute for ever again ( I know for a few months at the begging) unless I want to commute. That is not a guarantee at Spirt.

3. I am about a year from upgrade at Spirit, which upgrade is never a guarantee. With the new CBA and the current contract at SWA I will still make more than I would at Spirit ( I ran the numbers and used 11 years for upgrade at SWA and 100 trip credit a month. Spirit I used 85 hrs and upgrading in a year).

4. SWA is a more stable company. In my opinion SWA has way better work rules and QOL. Now Spirit does have great Crews to work with but so does SWA.

Now this is why I chose SWA over Spirit, it might not work for everyone, but I am excited to join the SWA family.

 

When’s your class date? I start in the 27th, leaving JetBlue after 2 years.

 

I start March 13th.

 

Congrats, I’ll see you a few weeks later. I look forward to trying to uncover your true identity!

 

If you live in base, you'll be able to make a killing here. I also don't think it'll take you anywhere close to 11 years to upgrade barring a major economic downturn, but it's good that you planned it that way. Also, 100 TFP per month, only if you choose to not pick up any extra work, or don't get rerouted or JA'd. You'll be pleasantly surprised.

One really nice thing that you'll get here that Spirit pilots didn't get in this contract is profit sharing. For last year, we get 11.3% of our eligible 2017 wages in profit share. Considering that at Southwest, PS is also a qualified retirement plan, it's subject to the IRS 415c limits along with your 401k, so if you hustle, PS can be that extra push to make you reach those limits. I reached it as a second-year FO for 2017, and I'm getting a little over 6k in excess payment this month. As I said, it REALLY pays to live in base and picking up some extra work.

You're right, it's not Herb's airline anymore, but the culture among the front line employees is still there for the most part. All in all, pros definitely outnumber the cons, and living in Dallas and driving to work, you'll absolutely love it here.

Welcome aboard!

 

Any thoughts if references get called but no drug test (DB is next week)? I've heard that some received a CJO without a drug test, but have not confirmed if this is correct.

Thanks!

 

What’s the recent wait time from interview to class?