We have some with zero turbine time.

🤣🤣🤣🤣

Let’s talk Destination 225…..

least 500, if not 1000, PIC turbine to even get a look at a major. I remember Continental days when first-year pay was $29/hr. I’m not turning my nose up at anyone, just being honest — some of the recent hires who’ve jumped with 1500 TT and 500 SIC in an RJ (United seems to be the biggest example) made me raise an eyebrow. United has also had some notable issues over the last 24 months. Not saying it’s related, but I do have my opinions.

From what I’ve heard, Southwest has generally hired well-qualified candidates and kept their standards higher. American, on the other hand, still leans heavily toward PIC or military backgrounds. I get that hiring is dynamic and always shifting, but the newer generation of pilots getting on with thinner résumés and then jumping straight into the social media spotlight doesn’t always sit right with me.

For full transparency, I know it comes down to my own decisions. After COVID, instead of taking the hit and jumping to a major at first-year pay, I took the wholly owned bonus, 17-year CA pay, and four weeks of vacation. That shortsightedness is what’s brought me to this crossroad.

At this point, I can either wait 12 more months to flow to AA (junior 737 CA in LGA is around 2.4 years) or roll the dice and make the move to SWA.

Everyone I’ve spoken to at Southwest seems happy, well compensated, and not caught up chasing a heavy. I already have that T-shirt — it’s old, torn, and ragged.

😆😊😉

That flow carrot dangling brings back a lot of memories back in 2007. “It’s going to pick up again, just wait a little longer.” Well I went corporate for a decade instead while several peers left earlier and got their PIC. I lost a few years of big four seniority because of it. Glad to be here now of course.

Absolutely! Trust me we've been hearing its "picking up" for years 😂🤣😂.

All I know is I do have a buddy (25 years old) who got to SWA at low time but with ALOT of Citation PIC time. Imagine how his career is going to be going forward!

Its probably some deep jealousy that I don't want to admit concerning all the young bucks who got on at the major sub 30 years old. At the end of the day, they applied, they interviewed, they were hired, and they PASSED training so good for them!

Also just a side note; if any pilots had a hand at SWA making the application process so easy and streamlined im telling you in sincerity THANK YOU!

Dave

take the 1st legacy job and then figure it out from there. Get out of the regionals.
I've flown with brand new FOs and sure their experience isn't the same but for the most part everyone is trained to the same standards. Don't shoot me on that.
The attitude makes a huge difference and I haven't ran across a bad one yet from a new guy.
With your experience by the time you upgrade youll have all the tools to make the trip successful and enjoyable.
Dont let others experience/attitude get in the way of what you want.

Wise Words Spoken!

Again fingers crossed ill get the call from SWA!

Dave

I sort of understand your points, but my point is that SWA has hired the same low time people, and have had some, if not more, of the same "issues" that the other airlines have. Never put your eggs in one basket, apply to UAL, DAL and AAL. Take the first CJO.

Take every CJO. Take every class date. Cancel the rest once you’re sitting in a chair.

Understood 🫡🖖🫡