Good day,

Few basic questions I am trying to find the concise/definite answer for here.
Please do not call me lazy, I browsed through thousands of informative posts here, but there seem to be some ambiguity on those points.

1. What are the chances of getting OAK, ATL or MDW as a new hire these days (in that order)
2. Is the base bidding based on SSN or the actual age?
3. If unsuccessful, how long after Indoc can one expect to get a chance to bid and be awarded the base of choice (as above)
4. How long can one expect to sit home/airport on reserve? Are new joiners ever called out for the flight in first few months after IOE?
5. During reserve how many ‘undisturbed’ days off a month can one expect?
6. What is the report time at the airport on ’short call’ reserve? Or to put it another way how far from the airport can one live to make it on time?
7. How long does the whole training process take and do you get to fly home on your days off during that training?
8. Is the training paid per Year 1 rules (Minimum Guarantee) or is it less?
9. What is the realistic take home pay during the first and second year - ballpark figure
10. What is the scope of the Family medical/dental/eye insurance? Is one expected to pay his own part and if so how much?

Lastly, is it a good 'final destination' place for an experienced pilot with 12 years to go till retirement you reckon?

Appreciate your time taken to get my head clear on those points.

 

1. Decent. OAK is historically a JR base, ATL longer. But new hires are going everywhere right now.
2. Age
3. Within a few months.
4.We don't do airport reserve. But usually you'll end up on reserve for 3-5 months as a new hire. Depends on the base. Some are slightly longer due to smaller amounts of growth.
5. Not many.
6. 2 hours to report. 3 hours to push.
7.A little over 60 days. And rarely. Unless you live a close driving distance or short flight from DAL.
8. Min guarantee at year 1 pay.
9. 90K is usually an easy number year 1. Some people make more.
10. You can get in on a free regular plan. But there are a few options. It depends on family, single, etc. What kind of stuff you want.

 

Thanks!
Exactly what I needed...

 

Agree with the previous answer. I'm 10 years to retirement and 8 months into my SWA career. I've had a 5 months of reserve, but the last 2-3 were my choice to more coincide with my wife's schedule. I asked to fly(commuter), and I've only had 2 days on reserve where I sat in Houston. There are still a lot of new pilots coming in, so your mileage may vary depending on where they are put. You'll have at least one and likely 2 months of scheduled line flying to "consolidate" and get your hours for your type rating before you'll be bidding for your line based solely on seniority.

 

Great insight.
Thanks!

 

Also, management has said pilot QOL doesn’t benefit SWA, and their policies show it.

 

I see the OP shotgunned this question to all the majors. Best of luck.

 

Yeah, Saw that after I responded.

kinda wish I said "search it"

 

I did Crockrocket, but there are tens of thousands of often polar views on certain aspects, so I wanted to ascertain all the facts in one place.
Appreciate your input, though.
Yes, I am coming from overseas and looking for the best option for myself for the next 12 years.
I want to settle in one place for good (economy permitting) and improve my QOL dramatically compared to what I endure now (Middle East).
What attracts me to Southwest is the flexibility of bidding in the long term, with the caveat of red-eye trips on both ends of a day.

Thanks