usernamehere

I guess I should have said “if it isn’t a good option for you.” I was on the regular plan but I prefer the HSA for where I am in life - kids. I like not having to check Facebook on how stuff needs to be coded to get it covered then going back and forth with hospital afterward if something gets missed. Regular plan, for me was super crazy awesome most of the time and sometimes, insanely frustrating.

Regular plan - you need to know the plan, some things aren’t covered. When not covered you don’t get the special rate, you get the full blown crazy insane rate which, I don’t believe counts towards your deductible or max out of pocket. There are tricks and tips found on Facebook but it was a pain in my butt to always be checking. Basically, pretty much everything but preventative is covered (and some other stuff mentioned above like newborn care). Not covered means you don’t get the health insurance contracted rate. Swapa does contract with Resolute health advisors to help deal with any messes or medical coverage issues. That would also be a resource I wish I had known about as a new hire.

HSA- everything is covered (almost). That means you get the contracted discount/rate on everything. Everything (basically) counts towards deductible and max out of pocket. You don’t need to check Facebook or make sure it’s coded correctly or tell them you want the cash rate for something not covered. The biggest thing you need to know is in or out of network. Personal preference and stage of life. Like I said, it makes more sense for me with kids and having kids. And I get the HSA - another retirement vehicle to throw tax free money forever at (nothing on front end and nothing on back end).

MudhammedCJ

In other words, if you're lazy, don't use the regular plan. I have some major health insurance issues, and the regular plan is absolutely the best (best overall cost). It takes some work sometimes to make the thieving mf-ers abide by the rules and stipulations, but it is SO worth it. Really. Get off your lazy ass and figure it out.

Stitches

The wording is confusing but I had 2 kids on the regular plan (delivered in a hospital) and everything pregnancy and delivery related was covered.

Stitches

covered. Newborn care is covered until mom and baby are medically released. What you can’t do is discharge mom and leave healthy baby in the nursery so mom can take it easy at home for a few days.

NICU is covered for as long as medically necessary even if mom is discharged. I had this happen as well.

usernamehere

That’s awesome! Not what resolute told me. They said NICU covered, nursery not.

Stitches

Everything about the regular plan is designed to make you think you don’t want it. “Choice Plus” sounds awesome right? “Regular plan” not so much…

New hires, if you are reading this, ask whomever gives your class the benefits presentation which plan they are on? Dollars to doughnuts it’s the regular plan, maybe, maybe the HSP.

The regular plan has been around for decades, don’t let them get away with the “aww shucks I’m not sure about any of the details” attitude. They know.

FreedomFlier

What do the relatively senior schedules at Southwest look like? Are the senior folks pretty much still just flying 3 day trips or do they have lines of all day trips or something? What do the days look like for those senior people?

e6bpilot

As you get more senior, the trips get shorter in average length. One man's trash is another's treasure, so senior folks fly all kinds of schedules.

I would say most senior folks bid mid week 3 days or two day and turn lines.

You have to be top probably 5-10 percent to hold pure 2 days or turns.

Smooth at FL450

It depends if you're a commuter or a local guy, and how hard you want to play the game. Some commuters prefer the high paying dense 3 & 4 day trips...some locals prefer the shorter trips so they can give them away and play the open time market. Some guys don't want to work that hard and just fly their lines. There's no clear answer to your question, given the flexibility we have.

Crockrocket95

Senior guys tend to fly high credit turns or 2 days. But depends if they commute or not. Commuters usually like high paying 3-4 days or 6 day stretches to block it all together. Or some people just work like 28 days a month and never go home... something for everyone.