SWA vs. DL CJO
 

Hey guys, not to beat a dead horse as I see many people comparing SWA to many different airlines. I currently have a CJO at SWA and Delta and am trying to decide which route I want to go. I currently live in DFW area and foresee myself living here in the future. I initially wanted to go to AA being that I could get a DFW base and do diverse flying, but AA does not hire much outside the flow from my regional. Anyways, I have been reading all the complaints at SWA and I know it’s not a great time at SWA due to prolonged contract negotiations.. is it really as bad as everyone makes it out to be? There’s not doubt Delta is probably the best managed and has the best contract (for now) which is why I definitely have interest to go there. I also think the ability to fly internationally on wide bodies may be cool, but have never done that sort of flying so I am not sure how much I would like it. I should add that I am 25 years old so very young in the industry. Is there anything that I am missing that I should be considering? I surely don’t like the idea of commuting for my whole life which is making me lean slightly towards SWA over Delta.. but it’s hard to give up that good of a contract and ability to do more diverse flying some day that would come with Delta.

I appreciate y’all’s input, thank you.

https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/s...er-10-yrs.html

This is a joke right? Seriously it must be BUT if it isn’t a joke you should be examined by a professional for even thinking about WN.

Listen commuting sucks butt and DFW commute for Delta is not the best but Delta is like the major leagues and Southwest Trailways is AA Texas league. You are 25 and are looking at the very least 20 years as a captain and FO living the WB life. The rest of the time you are NB life but back to the WB life. Let’s see here 70 block a month comprising of 48 legs or 50 block hours a month comprising of 6 legs. You have got to be kidding me even thinking about that. Overnight in Amsterdam or Lubbock. Singapore or Jackson MS. A Hyatt in Hong Kong or a Hampton in Austin. I’m not going to touch the money, even a moron can figure that one out in 2 minutes.

Seriously this is not even a choice. AA ball or the Show…..they use white baseballs in the Show for batting practice.

Go to delta

Aa will now hire you

If above fails, MOVE

Take the first class date, then move on as needed.

AA will hire you once you start at either… but where do you want to get stuck? If you absolutely have to live in Dallas and don’t mind the RJ lifestyle go to SWA. Want to fly airbus or anything not a 737? Go to DAL. Your wallet will thank you most at Delta

^^^ This.

All else being equal and living in dfw I’d normally recommend swa over Delta while you wait for AA to call (due to commuting reasons) but right now all else is not equal regarding career expectations and you would be commuting to a base other than Dallas for several months minimum anyways.

If for some reason AA doesn’t work out, at Delta you’d have the option of being a widebody fo, narrowbody captain, or a senior narrowbody fo with high qol very quickly. While at swa your options in the first year+ are commuting to reserve, driving to reserve, or having a crap jr weekend hard line for years.

A Bill Durham reference. Excellent.

Delta. American will be happy to snatch you up later.

If AA is your goal and you live in Dallas area, I’d say go to SWA. Training at SWA is in Dallas so you’ll be in your home city for 3 months while in training. You should be hired at AA before you even finish the type ride at SWA if you update your application . Also, you only burn the bridge with SWA and not Delta if things don’t work out with AA. Good luck. First world problems..

So kind of a canned answer but here we go.

1. Dont commute if you can help it. If you are dead set on Dallas area for the majority of your life and want AA at some point, I would go SWA and hope for a call from AA. You will get it, trust me. Worst case if everything comes to a stop, you are not commuting to ATL for half a century or more.
2. Sure you might make more at DL "now", but keep in mind we are working on a fairly major contract overhaul that will get done, it's just a matter of time now. We will be competitive no doubt.
3. I had offers from the big three that I applied too and I am at SWA. I refused to commute for my career and I am generally happy here. Is it perfect in every way, hell no, but I am happy here and I haven't worked more than 13 scheduled days yet and I am very junior.

Good luck to you and again, regardless of DL or SWA, once you are hired at either AA will call, so if that is your plan you should be OK, but again, if Dallas is your jam I would pick SWA in case plans dont work out.