I didn’t but we had three in my class just under a year ago

 

Is there anyone who made the jump from NJ to SW that's a commuter? If so would you give your comparison?

 

Being a "commuter" has many permutations..... are you commuting from Minot ND, or San Diego? Are there direct flights to your base? Can you drive to base in a pinch? A three leg commute across timezones is insane, a short commute from San Diego to LAX is done all the time.

This question is sort of like saying "anyone been on vacation.... how was it?"

 

About 50% of SWA pilots commute, how many of those do you think have their resume on file at Netjets? I was CitationShares for 8 years and went to Spirit in 2013 ($38/hr first year) and I commute. About half a year ago helped a friend leave Netjets after 10 years to come here. I really like corporate flying. If both offered me a job tomorrow with SWA having to commute to OAK, and with Netjets giving me a spot halfway up the seniority list, I still would go with SWA.

 

I left NJA and was a CA. It was one of those “now or never moves”. For an FO at NJA, it’s a no brainer to leave NJA with the vast financial gain at SWA, even at FO wages. It hurt a bit more coming from the left seat but will regain my composure in a few years. No pain no gain. But seriously I left for a better quality of life at work. I got tired of being fatigued, run down, and ****ed off with all the BS you have to put up with at NJA. ...I do commute, which is a not so fun side affect, but I’m dealing with it. I don’t regret the move, but I just wish my pay check was larger sooner and that SWA actually had competitive health benefits (NJAs free health benefits are many times superior than the most costly plan at SWA...another point of contention, but one that can be fixed in 2020).

Long story short, if you are a FO at NJA, leave, don’t think twice. If you are a captain, if you have 20 years to give, go for it. No worries.

I like it here. I’m well rested, I like what I do, The crews are cool, and The long term financial gain is huge. AND The airline actually likes their employees, unlike the hate-hate relationship between NJA execs and the pilots.

 

I commute and it’s the first time in my life. I’m not happy about it but I deal with it. It’s not a bad commute because I’m only an hour flight from my base with lots of flights. When you are on reserve, it sucks because of your long reserve hours, which may force you to commute in a day early or leave the following day. PM reserve is the easiest to commute in my situation but I often get stuck not making it home on my last day. Some guys have a crash pads, some stick to hotels, it’s your budget and preference, but not making it home or having to come in the evening before will happen, that’s fact. Once you get a line, life gets a lot better BUT SWA doesn’t have many commutable lines. This means you may still have to come in the night before or leave base the morning after a trip. SWA strives on maximum efficiency and there are flights at 5am and one’s that land at 1am. Pick your medicine for early shows or late. ....your saving grace is that you are gone for a few days only so you feel like you are home more, even with the commute.

 

Have you considered the regular plan? It’s excellent, cheap, and the company hates it which is why they push the other plans so hard.

For the difference in premiums over the course of a year (0/month regular plan), you can buy a lot of uncovered preventive care just by paying cash and negotiating.

 

I haven’t paid a dime for health insurance at SWA. Been on the RP since day 1. No regrets. Other than no preventative, I think it’s the best plan we offer.

 

I agree. I have also been on the $0 Regular Plan since day 1. My wife has a significant health issue that requires regular testing and treatment. We met our deductible in January and haven’t paid anything since. No complaints or regrets

 

Been on Regular plan as well. Last year had over $150K in family medical bills/surgeries, etc.

No issues, paid $2500 max out of pocket and a $300 deductible.

Had free chiropractic visits for two months to end the year off.