Good Morning
I have offers from both companies and am curious what your thoughts might by on each? I will be able to drive to work for both of them so commuting isnt an issue for me, at least not right away. I would have to consider it down the road if upgrades happen or I wanted international flying with AA. Would love some thoughts on the actual job and qol, I know both are in the middle of contract talks so beyond that, what do you all think about the future and daily qol. Would love to know average days off, JA occurrences etc. Thank you very much for any info you can offer.

 

It’s funny because it’s true.

 

Posted this on your other thread as well.

At SWA: going to work less days for the same amount of money on the NB side. . Going to fly more block hours at SWA for that money. Upgrade is years longer, but you'll make more as a senior FO at SWA then a junior captain at AA. Schedule flexibility is insanely good. You can pretty much make whatever schedule you want. AM/PM schedules mean you choose between working super early shows or working late nights. Almost always one or the other. Usually lots of ability to pickup extra flying outside of the slow months. Even then there's plenty to pickup from other crew members.
If widebody international flying is something you want to do, then obviously go to AA. That didn't appeal to me and I chose SWA over AA. Personal decision for each person to decide whats important.

 

Spot on. I had the same decision. I chose SWA as I wanted a base that SWA had and AA did not. Do not underestimate the AM\PM option. I am PM guy and love life. I do not go to work before 11:00 AM. I do work really late but I am a night owl any way. I never want to work anywhere without this option.

Don’t overlook AA’s balance sheet compared to ours. I am not saying AA is going anywhere, but they are positioned the absolute worst by a long shot, compared to all other majors from a financial perspective. If anyone stalls or goes under in the next black swan event, it will be AA. Conversely, SWA is currently positioned the best, even after throwing a billion or two to the most recent meltdown.

SWA is a hot mess right now. No one still has been fired for the meltdown, which tells me it could easily happens again. Our contract renegotiation is likely going to be the most confrontational of all the majors. Our immature leadership was just tested and they failed. I don’t think they even see the pilot storm coming.

All that said, you have a great decision to make. Either place is going to give you great opportunities.

 

Can we ask what domicile you’re looking at? That’s relevant to the discussion.

 

Thank you for all the answers, much appreciated. I will be looking at PHX.

 

I would say there are probably better growth opportunities and stability with WN over AA if you live in Phoenix.

 

Is this a trick question?
AA

 

I disagree with schedule flexibility is insanely good.
I'm at 20% in base and I still cannot hold pure turn lines. I cant drop any trips. I have to rely on trading or trading with the company to make whatever schedule I want and that doesnt always happen.
I think what people mean to say is if you want to work more you can. Its very difficult to work fewer days. That's not schedule flexibility for me.
Also saying senior FOs make more than Cpts at other airlines is because they can either do it at premium or work more. Guarentee to guarantee this is not true.
otherwise I agree with the rest you said

 

This can not be emphasized enough. Getting rid of flying (without calling in sick or fatigued) is challenging if not impossible - especially when junior.