Like many, when given a sneak peek of what we can do with our schedules and pay, I too gave up on any desire to go to a legacy. Not to mention, despite the anecdotal APC complaining, the average work experience is still very positive.

We are transforming to compete with a legacy, but we will not be a legacy in the true sense of the word.

I can appreciate you asking the question, but assuming you’re SWA, why haven’t you gone to a legacy?

Because we live in a seniority ecosystem. Once you've been somewhere for a few years you lose more than you gain by making a lateral move. Trust me, I've made that unfortunate choice more than once.

That said, If I were 15 or so years younger, I'd be applying to Delta. Let's not fool ourselves. This place is great, but it's seldom been the first choice among job seekers.

Heck, up until a decade ago people paid for an $8000 type rating to apply here (unless they flew the 737 at another airline) and that's not something people do if they're able to be hired by any other reputable airline that DOESN'T have such a requirement.

That’s fine for you. What I’m really getting at is pilots who constantly complain about where they are and insist others don’t come here. Plenty at Delta and UAL who are upset with their company too.

The guy who posted said he doesn’t want to go to a legacy, and I’m offering a viewpoint that says that’s ok.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

What a crock of…

Tell me about a time when you actually passed the puck…

Good question.

Delta has just as much schedule flexibility as Southwest. Southwest has the advantage of more trips to trade/domicile flexibility, Delta has the ability to drop trips using blue-slip or IVD, long call reserve, and more varied mix of flying. While you can fly the FAR limits at Southwest and beat any legacy pilot's W2, for you average line holder who picks up open time at either income will be similar. For those that claim they only want to fly the 737, you'll advance in your seat faster at Delta as those above you bid off to bigger equipment.

I seriously looked at it twice. Southwest hired me first so my seniority started growing here and as time advances it makes less and less sense to leave. Also, the first time around was during a time when hiring was competitive and advancement was slow. I was looking at a good year of commuting to a junior base to cover three airports. Unfortunately I drive to work at Southwest and while Delta would be a very easy commute, by a very small amount it didn't make sense for me. However, if I could go back I would have taken VSP ($500k would have tipped the scales) and would be close to holding 330B in DTW (more senior than the left seat at Delta). As mentioned above, I'm approaching ten years here now and in the left seat so leaving now would never make sense.

Whenever someone says "I would never want to work for United/Delta/America {insert some coping rationalization}" or "I would never work for a legacy" my spidey sense goes off. All are good places to work (well I think AA ranks below SWA/UA/DL), so everyone should pick the one that works best for their situation. I would also never believe a pilot that works for company A that tells you company A is the best. Most pilots want to rationalize they made the right choice.

Outstanding post.

I too don’t like when pilots say I would never work at xyz airline for usually some reason that isn’t grounded in reality.

My spidey sense went off at your original question, because I was hoping it wasn’t another “I’m at this airline but you shouldn’t come here” post.

All are good places to work, and I would want someone to make a choice that works for them, not because the Internet thinks xyz is better.

Agree, all are within a standard deviation of the other as far as career expectations with the obvious exception of SW only flying one type. I regularly talk to my friends flying for other places and although some of the topics change, there is general agreement that they all are pretty much the same. I think in our seniority system, there is a tendency to justify your decision to be locked into a company for life. Most of us had very little control over how it all went down. The industry will go through its cycles and carriers will have good stretches and bad. It's all about riding out the down times and enjoying the good times.

If you ever want a good chuckle, head over to some of the other forums and you will see what I mean. Everyone either thinks their company has it all figured out and are moments away from ruling the planet or it is all doom and gloom and a BK is just around the corner. Usually neither are true. Over the long term, airlines have struggled to stay afloat despite there being some real boom times. More money has been lost than made hauling people from place to place. I like to think we are finally living in a time where that has changed for good, but only time will tell.

Great post. I would say at this point in my career culture does factor into my decision right behind earning potential. I want to be happy when I come to work and I want to be around happy people. All I know is I don't see alot of super happy pilots walking around DFW...

Yup......My story exactly.