Average days off @ AA
05-02-2017, 05:39 PM
#101
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2013
Posts: 159
Yeah love that guy. So authentic. He only shows up on facebook pilot groups when there's a JCBA to vote on, or management gives us a pay raise.
05-02-2017, 06:15 PM
#102
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2011
Posts: 420
I just passed my 3 year point at AA. I can count on 1 hand how many times I've had to talk to management. Each time, they were professional and courteous. I've been paid correctly on time. When I was tired and called out fatigued, I was paid promptly and was asked no questions after I filled out the debrief. Never been hassled about using sick time either.
The relationship between our union and senior management is not indicative of my personal experiences with management. When I need help, they help or point me in the direction of help.
The relationship between our union and senior management is not indicative of my personal experiences with management. When I need help, they help or point me in the direction of help.
05-02-2017, 11:08 PM
#104
Strike averted!
Joined APC: Mar 2015
Position: B737
Posts: 3,781
SWA guy here, former Eagle from '00 to '07 so I understand the company hates you. I left and went corporate.
Hate to say it, but I am scheduled for a five leg day at the end of a three day this month. Good news is that it's all west coast, so even with five legs it's less than 7 hours block.
I'm at 117 TFP (trips for pay) for the month with 15 days off and hold a line (weekend trips) and average about 115 TFP a month. I have a june vacation coming up that I was able to trade into as a 1.4 year guy, and no checks have bounced yet.
I also have friends at AA that are happy after flowing. I also wished that certain flowthrough guys were given a blanket party by the APA before they hit the line...but I can only hope.
SWA is a good gig. I went for the western domiciles and history of stability...oh and they offered me a job. I didn't apply anywhere else as I didn't want anywhere else.
But seriously...even just a year ago things were very different. You can only make a decision based on what you need and what you know today. I couldn't say going to any of the big 4 in today's environment is a bad choice.
Hate to say it, but I am scheduled for a five leg day at the end of a three day this month. Good news is that it's all west coast, so even with five legs it's less than 7 hours block.
I'm at 117 TFP (trips for pay) for the month with 15 days off and hold a line (weekend trips) and average about 115 TFP a month. I have a june vacation coming up that I was able to trade into as a 1.4 year guy, and no checks have bounced yet.
I also have friends at AA that are happy after flowing. I also wished that certain flowthrough guys were given a blanket party by the APA before they hit the line...but I can only hope.
SWA is a good gig. I went for the western domiciles and history of stability...oh and they offered me a job. I didn't apply anywhere else as I didn't want anywhere else.
But seriously...even just a year ago things were very different. You can only make a decision based on what you need and what you know today. I couldn't say going to any of the big 4 in today's environment is a bad choice.
05-03-2017, 08:21 AM
#106
Banned
Joined APC: Dec 2009
Position: Narrow/Left Wide/Right
Posts: 3,655
Good post / info from RJS, here.
I left SWA for AAL last year, and the decision was most definitely not made based upon an assumed higher earning potential at AAL, long term. Some in this thread seem to have implied as though AAL would be the obvious choice if one were to make a decision between the two airlines based solely upon earning potential. Some pilots are making 500k$+ at SWA. The ability to manipulate your schedule and pick up extra time at SWA is there, if that's what you want to do...
My decision was based on 1.) upcoming movement. I figure contracts, work rules, etc etc will change numerous times over the next 30+ years. The one thing that is concrete is the age of pilots senior to me at AAL vs what they were at SWA.
It was also based on 2.) an eventual short call reserve option and easy drive to ORD, vs a bitc* of a drive through Chicago to get to MDW. This being said, I was already holding MDW domicile and have a decent wait to get to ORD. Looking long-term quality of life vs. short term...
And finally, it was based on 3.) variety of flying. I think I will eventually enjoy arriving at an airport, taking off once and landing once in one day on international widebody.. I'm not sure if I would have enjoyed/appreciated the OPS tempo at SWA when I was 50+ years old.
Disclaimer: I'm definitely not an airline expert. I'm a military pilot just beginning a Part 121 career. SWA could end up with 787s flying to southern South America someday soon for all I know. They were constructing a building to basically triple their sim capacity when I left. It was definitely a gut check sending in my resignation letter there. I do agree with what RJS said, though. SWA is a great company. Roll of the dice...
I left SWA for AAL last year, and the decision was most definitely not made based upon an assumed higher earning potential at AAL, long term. Some in this thread seem to have implied as though AAL would be the obvious choice if one were to make a decision between the two airlines based solely upon earning potential. Some pilots are making 500k$+ at SWA. The ability to manipulate your schedule and pick up extra time at SWA is there, if that's what you want to do...
My decision was based on 1.) upcoming movement. I figure contracts, work rules, etc etc will change numerous times over the next 30+ years. The one thing that is concrete is the age of pilots senior to me at AAL vs what they were at SWA.
It was also based on 2.) an eventual short call reserve option and easy drive to ORD, vs a bitc* of a drive through Chicago to get to MDW. This being said, I was already holding MDW domicile and have a decent wait to get to ORD. Looking long-term quality of life vs. short term...
And finally, it was based on 3.) variety of flying. I think I will eventually enjoy arriving at an airport, taking off once and landing once in one day on international widebody.. I'm not sure if I would have enjoyed/appreciated the OPS tempo at SWA when I was 50+ years old.
Disclaimer: I'm definitely not an airline expert. I'm a military pilot just beginning a Part 121 career. SWA could end up with 787s flying to southern South America someday soon for all I know. They were constructing a building to basically triple their sim capacity when I left. It was definitely a gut check sending in my resignation letter there. I do agree with what RJS said, though. SWA is a great company. Roll of the dice...
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