Until we do...

But here is one thing that gives me some confidence...



What happens the next time the economy takes a nosedive which we all know is coming?

 

At this level don’t pass up one job waiting for another.

 

1997. Not rejected by UAL nor furloughed. One would have me way senior than I am now (2300 numbers). The other, a military retirement. My buddy got hired at SWA in 1998, has been a Captain for well over a decade.

 

As I said, " Who can predict this industry."

I think SWA model is good for growth and a downturn.

When the economy is good, people who would normally not fly Will choose a low-cost carrier. When the economy tanks, Business travelers we'll be forced to fly low cost carriers like Southwest.

 

Very true. Even if United decides they want me it could very well be into next year before I can get into a class. Most folks at SWA seem pretty happy..,

 

Southwest is not a low cost carrier.

 

Can we just retire this phrase? We get it, nobody knows the future. But, yeah, if Lebron James is going up against a rookie third round draft pick in the finals, I'm picking Lebron James. SWA has been consistent for HALF A CENTURY. They have a battle-tested business model and have proven they are the better managed airline for at least the past two decades. UAL has been fair to middling for about the last half decade, and that was during the good times. No, SWA doesn't have the cachet and glitz of true worldwide operations like the Big 3, but DAL and SWA are without question leading the pack. Oscar seems like a nice guy, and United isn't going anywhere to be sure, but unless there is some major cultural change (like Kirby was brought in to do - but I have my doubts about him as well), SWA will continue to be the better managed airline (vice UAL). Look, I've got no horse in this race, but hearing that phrase is getting old. It's a false equivalency that has no basis in history or data.

 

But that is what the public perceives. And their pilots make a lot more than most 737 pilots do at other carriers.

 

That chart doesn’t take into account DAL’s pension obligations. When you factor that in DAL and UAL are pretty much even

 

The only reason SWA hasn’t furloughed is through the efforts of SWAPA. It’s not because it hasn’t happened, it’s because it was averted. SWA mgmt cares as much about stick monkeys as every other airline mgmt.