Also interested in the Florida panhandle commute. And I know it’s very subjective, but how long does it take to get ATL based?

I think either HOU or DAL are your best bet. I don't think we fly between ATL and NW Florida, so you'd be commuting offline on Delta. Not impossible, but.... it's generally better to commute on your own metal.

We go to ECP or whatever Destin is?

ECP is Panama City and Destin is VPS. I know SW is in both cities but not sure of where they go ATL or DAL. Pretty sure there’s a few SW flights out of Pensacola PNS also. Is it even possible to have a QOL both at work and home if you commute out of one these cities at SWA? And would a pilot hired on this year even be eligible for upgrade by 2027 in a relatively young pilot group of over 9100?

I don't know about your first question, but as to your second inquiry... Are you asking if someone hired mid/late 2023 will have the opportunity to upgrade in four years?!? I guess crazier things have happened, but I would say with near certainly there's no way that's possible. Also, there are more than 10,500 pilots on property now.

ECP, VPS, PNS... I don't think we fly from any of those to ATL, but all of them go to HOU or DAL.

Thanks for the update and insight. That’s what I thought.

Gotcha. So a FL panhandler would need to choose DAL or HOU as a base which, in a pinch are undrivable.

YMMV... but ATL is very senior and since we don't fly between ATL and any panhandle airports, you'll be duking it out with DL guys for the jumpseat on their own metal. Price of living in paradise, I reckon...

If you wanna live in the panhandle, go to DAL.

I fixed it before I posted.