planedriver1911

I didn't see any retirement numbers posted in the profile section like some of the other carriers. Curious what the most current numbers look like for southwest crews. I have seen some funny, or not so funny, comments about new hires not seeing the left seat until 60 something!?. I am a 46 year old former part 121 guy looking to go back to airline flying. Thank you in advance.

WHACKMASTER

Roughly 160-180 a year average for the next 10 years.

planedriver1911

Those numbers tell me I probably wouldn't see left seat if I made it in at 46 years old?

ZapBrannigan

Forecasting anything beyond 5 years in this business is foolhardy. This is the same company that is, for reasons yet unknown, building a new simulator building and almost doubling the number of sims but tells Wall Street they're growing 2%.

Retirements only, yeah you would be in the right seat 12+ years. There are better airlines out there for a more rapid progression through the seniority list. No question about it. Do your research before you leap, but don't rely too heavily on decade long forecasts. Those are called "guesses"

WHACKMASTER

Exactly. If you take a snapshot now and play the hands you're dealt, you're much better off going to Fedex, AMR, DLA, or UAL. For crying out loud, don't make SWA your #1 choice unless it's because of a base that they have and you're adamant about living there.

Like Zap alluded to......something's going on and that something could be another merger, major expansion south of the border, another larger fleet type, who knows. What comes out of management's mouth compared to what you see developing just don't add up sometimes.

Of course, we could have a major terrorist attack and all bets are off at that point which is yet another reason to try to get on at one of the legacies. Their retirement numbers are much greater and therefore in theory you can enjoy more rapid advancement (not to mention widebodies to fly), but it also means furlough protection should the poop hit the fan.

planedriver1911

Gentlemen, thank you for the valuable information. I am looking at all the legacies plus Southwest. After what I have been through the last two years, carrier income potential and relative job security are tops. I know total income isn't as high at Southwest compared to the legacies but historically they have had the security. This is why I have included them in the mix. As we all know "job security" as a pilot is all relative but feel I still have to try my best to throw the dart at the right company. This helps tremendously and its truly appreciated.

Riverside

So you brought a thread back to life. Then deleted your comment, just to start a whole new thread?

JDFlyer

The 160-180 per year is good info. Don't be discouraged. I am 48, on 6th year FO pay and make great money with a great quality of life. Don't think that your end all and be all as a pilot is just to get to the left seat. Yes, most of us want to get there someday, but SWA FO is a very good "journey" on the way to getting to that particular "destination".

Also, don't forget the significant number of left seat pilots that will medical out prior to "retirement". So that 160-180, is likely low. I fly with a lot of Captains who are 58+ years old, and then I later find out that they are gone due to some medical issue.

It took me about 4 years to get the seniority as an FO that is giving me a very good quality of life. Another few years, and my quality of life will be "great". Yes, those are all vague terms and mean different things to different pilots, only you can decide what makes sense for you and your family. Best of luck!

planedriver1911

It posted in the wrong thread due to my mistake. Hit the post button at the wrong time. It bother you that much?

hoover

They told us in class they plan on 350 a yr leaving. Be it through retirement or other. Don't know if that's accurate but it's what they said.