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View Poll Results: AA or SWA
AA
109
48.88%
SWA
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Voters: 223. You may not vote on this poll

SWA or AA?

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Old 02-07-2024 | 04:03 PM
  #1  
WaveoffGuy
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Default SWA or AA?
Team,

I have CJOs at both airlines. I will live 2hrs from a SWA base, but I will need to commute to AA with 5 flights a day for each CLT or MIA about an 80 min flight for each. Also, I’ll be military in a local reserve flying unit.

My biggest priority is flexibility. I would like to work the least amount possible as my wife makes decent money and works from home. I’m hoping to spend as much time at home helping raise my children.

I am worried about the Max issues and seniority at SWA.

AA worries me with the financials and commuting.

I’ve read every thread I could. I’m hoping for more updated opinions.

Thanks!
Last edited by WaveoffGuy; 02-07-2024 at 04:29 PM.
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Old 02-07-2024 | 04:24 PM
  #2  
RippinClapBombs's Avatar
RippinClapBombs
Down goes Frazier
 
Joined: Mar 2023
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From: AB FO
Default
Originally Posted by WaveoffGuy
Team,

I have CJOs at both airlines. I will live 2hrs from a SWA base, but I will need to commute to AA with 5 flights a day for each CLT or MIA. Also, I’ll be military in a local reserve flying unit.

My biggest priority is flexibility. I would like to work the least amount possible as my wife makes decent money and works from home. I’m hoping to spend as much time at home helping raise my children.

I am worried about the Max issues and seniority at SWA.

AA worries me with the financials and commuting.

I’ve read every thread I could. I’m hoping for more updated opinions.

Thanks!
AAL MIA Long Call Reserve until you can hold a decent max days off line. Seniority progression is swift in MIA. I’d remain a senior NB FO, then bid MIA WB FO when you can hold a WB line.

I think the first year favors SWA slightly, but after it’s AAL all the way. Best of luck with your decision.
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Old 02-07-2024 | 04:46 PM
  #3  
Otterbox
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Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Gear slinger
Default
Originally Posted by WaveoffGuy
Team,

I have CJOs at both airlines. I will live 2hrs from a SWA base, but I will need to commute to AA with 5 flights a day for each CLT or MIA about an 80 min flight for each. Also, I’ll be military in a local reserve flying unit.

My biggest priority is flexibility. I would like to work the least amount possible as my wife makes decent money and works from home. I’m hoping to spend as much time at home helping raise my children.

I am worried about the Max issues and seniority at SWA.

AA worries me with the financials and commuting.

I’ve read every thread I could. I’m hoping for more updated opinions.

Thanks!
When can you move to base for AA? Its better to live in base for the airline and commute to the reserve job...
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Old 02-07-2024 | 05:22 PM
  #4  
Fcm135flyer
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I think that's a pretty easy choice. Go with swa and drive to work.
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Old 02-07-2024 | 05:31 PM
  #5  
Yungpilot
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Default
Originally Posted by WaveoffGuy
Team,

I have CJOs at both airlines. I will live 2hrs from a SWA base, but I will need to commute to AA with 5 flights a day for each CLT or MIA about an 80 min flight for each. Also, I’ll be military in a local reserve flying unit.

My biggest priority is flexibility. I would like to work the least amount possible as my wife makes decent money and works from home. I’m hoping to spend as much time at home helping raise my children.

I am worried about the Max issues and seniority at SWA.

AA worries me with the financials and commuting.

I’ve read every thread I could. I’m hoping for more updated opinions.

Thanks!
Our soft pay is incredible here along with the schedule flexibility. Our retirement wave is slightly behind Americans, it’s not as large but its size able. If we paid off all of our debt today we’d still have 5 billion of cash in the bank from my understanding. That should tell you the security of Southwest. American, you’ll get a widebody though and quicker Captain upgrade… for now, tbd if 67 goes through.
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Old 02-07-2024 | 05:44 PM
  #6  
WaveoffGuy
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Default
Originally Posted by Otterbox
When can you move to base for AA? Its better to live in base for the airline and commute to the reserve job...
Not for at least 5-10 years. Wife's family is the reason we won't move to base. Thankfully, the reserve unit is in the same town.
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Old 02-07-2024 | 05:53 PM
  #7  
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Turbosina
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From: Guppy Gear Slinger
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SWA, hands down. Not even a question. Vastly better schedule flexibility and you can drive to work.
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Old 02-07-2024 | 07:36 PM
  #8  
LAXtoDEN
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Originally Posted by Turbosina
SWA, hands down. Not even a question. Vastly better schedule flexibility and you can drive to work.
Lmao yea I guess technically he/she is “driving”. I’d say driving 2 hours back and forth after finishing up at midnight and busting his/her ass flying the typical
Southwest 5 legs a day schedule will get really old really fast. Oh, and they get the privilege of doing that on a 73. Ooooffffff!!
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Old 02-07-2024 | 07:54 PM
  #9  
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mulcher
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Originally Posted by LAXtoDEN
Lmao yea I guess technically he/she is “driving”. I’d say driving 2 hours back and forth after finishing up at midnight and busting his/her ass flying the typical
Southwest 5 legs a day schedule will get really old really fast. Oh, and they get the privilege of doing that on a 73. Ooooffffff!!
I haven’t flown more than 4 legs a day in years. And that’s just a few. The vast majority are 2 or 3 leg days. Last trip 2/2/3 and paid 23tfp. Next trip 2/2/1. But only pays 19,5 out late home early though.
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Old 02-07-2024 | 08:11 PM
  #10  
LAXtoDEN
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Originally Posted by mulcher
I haven’t flown more than 4 legs a day in years. And that’s just a few. The vast majority are 2 or 3 leg days. Last trip 2/2/3 and paid 23tfp. Next trip 2/2/1. But only pays 19,5 out late home early though.
That’s called being senior. Being senior at a legacy gets you 20 days off and averaging less than 1 leg a day on Widebody.

I’m more curious to where the OP lives and where Delta, United, maybe even JetBlue could stack up in all this.
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