Any Former Southwest, now Happy Delta Pilots?
11-27-2018, 07:16 PM
#14
Line Holder
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Posts: 59
This.
The OP has either made or is considering making this particular decision. That must be based on at least some semi-educated guess as to what things will/would/could be at DL.
The thing about DL is that there is so much variety that basic questions like "how many days off will I get" or "what about commuting to reserve" etc. will vary tremendously with individual circumstances, seat, plane, base and other factors.
For example, how long will I spend on reserve? There are lots of recent DL pilots who could truthfully answer "about a month or two" yet that may not even come close to applying to you. You could spend much longer than that on reserve, while those a couple percent senior and a couple percent junior to you enjoy the best case depending on timing. For example the break in hiring we're seeing will see current "plugs" experience much different circumstances than just a few classes senior to them, as well as the future classes when hiring resumes. How long til upgrade? The answer to that was: six months!....until it wasn't anymore.
So even looking for an apples to apples source of info, like a former SW to DL pilot, may or may not truly answer your specific questions relative to your circumstances. OP will need to establish an educated picture of what to expect at DL, including variables of what to expect, and then run multiple scenarios from best to worst case realistic outcomes to see what to expect.
The OP has either made or is considering making this particular decision. That must be based on at least some semi-educated guess as to what things will/would/could be at DL.
The thing about DL is that there is so much variety that basic questions like "how many days off will I get" or "what about commuting to reserve" etc. will vary tremendously with individual circumstances, seat, plane, base and other factors.
For example, how long will I spend on reserve? There are lots of recent DL pilots who could truthfully answer "about a month or two" yet that may not even come close to applying to you. You could spend much longer than that on reserve, while those a couple percent senior and a couple percent junior to you enjoy the best case depending on timing. For example the break in hiring we're seeing will see current "plugs" experience much different circumstances than just a few classes senior to them, as well as the future classes when hiring resumes. How long til upgrade? The answer to that was: six months!....until it wasn't anymore.
So even looking for an apples to apples source of info, like a former SW to DL pilot, may or may not truly answer your specific questions relative to your circumstances. OP will need to establish an educated picture of what to expect at DL, including variables of what to expect, and then run multiple scenarios from best to worst case realistic outcomes to see what to expect.
- no desire for immediate WB, long haul
- Happy staying close, Domestic flights suit me
- live in ATL, can hold ATL for SWA, it’s just a smaller operation
My question is that I am 50/50 due to the timeliness of the situation. I was wondering if someone has experienced, a big eye-opening, “xxx is way better,” or “I never new it would be this good” etc.....at Delta vs SWA.
I’m trying to research this because I am happy where I am at, but only know SWA life. I just don’t know, what I don’t know.
11-28-2018, 04:16 AM
#15
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2014
Position: Cirrus CA
Posts: 224
I made the switch and am very happy. Feel free to PM me and I can give you some honest reflections and put you in touch with a few others for some different perspectives as well.
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11-28-2018, 04:58 AM
#16
ATL 717B
Joined APC: Mar 2015
Position: C-130J AC / B717 FO
Posts: 362
All other things aside, I think the big issue is seniority. You have pretty good seniority at SWA and it will get a lot better. DAL has hired a lot of guys since 2014 and you would be on the backside of that. Not saying you won’t have a great career here but an in depth look at your projected seniority may help make the decision. How old are you? How’s your health and your family history? You don’t need to answer these personal questions here but some things to think about. Also, before you make the move look at the healthcare benefits and your families status. Are you Military? Do you have Tricare or will you have Tricare? Just some other things to ponder. Good luck with your decision. I’m sure you will be happy at either place.
11-28-2018, 05:10 AM
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2018
Posts: 895
All other things aside, I think the big issue is seniority. You have pretty good seniority at SWA and it will get a lot better. DAL has hired a lot of guys since 2014 and you would be on the backside of that. Not saying you won’t have a great career here but an in depth look at your projected seniority may help make the decision. How old are you? How’s your health and your family history? You don’t need to answer these personal questions here but some things to think about. Also, before you make the move look at the healthcare benefits and your families status. Are you Military? Do you have Tricare or will you have Tricare? Just some other things to ponder. Good luck with your decision. I’m sure you will be happy at either place.
This person would be hired on the backside of our hiring wave? All hiring since the beginning of 2014 has been for the growth that occurred since about that same time. We are soon to start hiring for the retirements to come. 8000 pilots in next 10 years; that’s what we need which is on top of the hiring we’ve already done.
11-28-2018, 05:23 AM
#19
Line Holder
Joined APC: Nov 2018
Posts: 37
All other things aside, I think the big issue is seniority. You have pretty good seniority at SWA and it will get a lot better. DAL has hired a lot of guys since 2014 and you would be on the backside of that. Not saying you won’t have a great career here but an in depth look at your projected seniority may help make the decision. How old are you? How’s your health and your family history? You don’t need to answer these personal questions here but some things to think about. Also, before you make the move look at the healthcare benefits and your families status. Are you Military? Do you have Tricare or will you have Tricare? Just some other things to ponder. Good luck with your decision. I’m sure you will be happy at either place.
That said, it sounds like you enjoy what you do and SWA is a great airline. Personally, I'd only switch if I wanted the opportunity to fly something other than the guppy.
Do you have a class date from DAL? Hiring has slowed recently and I don't think many new hires even have class dates, which could be a factor in your decision matrix.
11-28-2018, 05:30 AM
#20
seeing the large hubs...
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: 73N A
Posts: 3,742
Yes, this summer and fall hiring stopped, as we were slightly overstaffed. But there should either be class in right now or starting soon, and I don't think they plan on stopping the hiring anytime soon.
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