More work/less pay at UA vs SWA?

Reply Subscribe

Page 7 of 7

« First

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

10-16-2023 | 04:51 AM

#61

ReadOnly7

Slam-Clicka

Joined: Dec 2019

Posts: 1,570

Likes: 85

Quote:

Originally Posted by xGearSlingerx

New NB captain here at 90% in base.

I am able to waive rights, get a line, and am awarded high 80's credit with 15 days off.

I am not really able to drop anything, but able to trade out of the crappy trips awarded in to decent trips.

what base? I’m senior to that and NEVER get a line, no matter what I waive.

10-16-2023 | 05:20 AM

#62

KnightNight

Line Holder

Joined: Aug 2021

Posts: 934

Likes: 22

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReadOnly7

what base? I’m senior to that and NEVER get a line, no matter what I waive.

Probably one that’s well staffed, maybe your seniority is artificial (waiting on people to get trained).

10-16-2023 | 05:28 AM

#63

Duckdude

Line Holder

Joined: Aug 2010

Posts: 671

Likes: 11

From: B767 Captain

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnightNight

Probably one that’s well staffed, maybe your seniority is artificial (waiting on people to get trained).

I think you may have this backwards. A poorly staffed base will have more junior pilots getting lines because they don’t have many reserves. A well staffed base would have lots of reserves, so the most junior pilots are unlikely to get a line.

Although a well staffed base might have senior pilots bidding reserve in the hopes of not working - that was my technique on the 756 in the winter. Who knows?

10-16-2023 | 05:56 AM

#64

xGearSlingerx

Line Holder

Joined: Mar 2019

Posts: 43

Likes: 0

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReadOnly7

what base? I’m senior to that and NEVER get a line, no matter what I waive.

IAD

I try to always have a little carry in credit, spread vacation over two bid periods, etc.

11-07-2023 | 06:18 AM

#65

FlyGuy999

On Reserve

Joined: Sep 2022

Posts: 20

Likes: 0

Hey SW guys that made the jump to UA, has it been better/ worth it? I’m less than a year in at SW and have an offer from UA. Our family is moving and id be an hour from UA base and 2 and half from SW base. I’m enjoying the flexibility to moves things around, our health insurance is solid (paying nothing monthly), the way we do vacation is nice. Looking long term and seeing which will be best for QOL? I still have 30+ years.

11-07-2023 | 06:50 AM

#66

Chuck D

Line Holder

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 740

Likes: 19

If that base is EWR, run don’t walk. Endless flying opportunities and relatively jr. 30 years is a long time on a 737.

11-07-2023 | 06:55 AM

#67

Brickfire

Gets Weekends Off

Joined: Sep 2022

Posts: 855

Likes: 0

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyGuy999

Looking long term and seeing which will be best for QOL? I still have 30+ years.

I suspect any prediction now would probably be similar to predictions made for this year in 1993.

My take:
1) easy drive to a major hub base is +++++
2) widebodies make everything better. Either you personally like them better or the people who do give you more seniority on the narrowbody

11-07-2023 | 12:34 PM

#68

jumppilot

Line Holder

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 410

Likes: 3

I haven’t read all the replies to this thread, but I can honestly say I haven’t done the comparison of work vs days off at UAL vs SW.

All I know is, at UAL, I have one leg a day to the gym and happy hour. A few hours of that is spent in the bunk. Dozing for dollars is the ultimate money maker.

When I get tired of that, I can grind it out for 25 legs a month flying domestic, either on the 1960s party bus or Fifi.

Options are good. Options make me happy.

11-08-2023 | 03:37 AM

#69

Milksheikh

Line Holder

Joined: Jul 2016

Posts: 352

Likes: 2

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyGuy999

Run don’t walk to UA. Southwest is simply the top lcc stepping stone to wait for a legacy to call. Long upgrades, only flying a 737, working like a rented mule flying 3-4 legs a day seems awful to me. This is a no brainer.