WNdowseat

SWA Lifestyle? Fly hard...lots of hours, but scheduled efficiently. Most hard lines have 17 to 19 days off each month. Flexibility is generally good, unless you are very junior. Flexibility applies to both schedule and pay...you can work a lot or give away trips and go to the beach. PHX will likely get reduced for a few months as LAS comes alive as a base. Company will save a ton on Vegas hotels and paid deadheads from PHX. I gotta believe that trying to comute to LAS will be a pain. Full planes, hotel issues, transportation issues...etc. For the WN new hires, you should be able to get to MCO in pretty short order, and many would say that MCO has the best Chief Pilot in the system...very fair, straight shooter. Given the rate of hiring there is plenty of movement each bid period...and even if you are stuck in MDW or OAK you can try to give away your line out there and pick up trips in the base of your choice...pretty common thing around here. An example is a junior CAPT based in BWI, gives his line away and then picks up in PHX. Happens everyday. The trip trade/ extra fly / give away / pick-up / open time system is a bit of a free for all here...but it does give us some measure of flexibility. Not perfect, but it seems to work most of the time.

Brownhound

Its the only time you wont hear the old geezers complaining about "Age Discrimination"

SamFoxpilot

Hey, I resemble that remark

SamFoxpilot

Anyone have gouge on which is a better commute base--MCO, OAK, or MDW? Others? I'm thinking about crash pad availability/cost, as well as ease of commute...

9999

Is 45, geezer age? I assume he/she is talking about the 70 year old fractional drivers.

frozenboxhauler

Hi Sam, my neighbor is a SWA guy in OAK and he rides fedex a lot on his way home. He finishes up around 2200-2300 and rides homeon the 0230 freighter.
Just an idea for you. Out of OAK we go to; LAX, PHX,TUS, COS, DEN, SLC, BOI, PDX, SEA, YVR, and ANC between about 0150-0330 Pacific time.
fbh

quimby

right on........

Brownhound

I'm talking about getting assigned seniority in class at Southwest by your birthday. How is that not age discrimination? Now we've even got guys (Older Captains) here threatening probationary pilots if they don't sign Age 60 Waiver petitions. I'm sorry, but I'm a little oversensitive on this subject of the Age 60 rule, it just wont die here at good ole' Southwestern Airways. And as far as lifestyle goes, if you want to hear old Geezers talk nonstop about needing to fly past Age 60 and their Harleys, 5000 sq ft houses, 3 ex wives, and boats (complete with photo albums) come to Southwest you'll luv it! Not to be all negative, our schedule really is great, so your time spent with these bozos will be limited.

9999

I have no problem with the age 60 rule being removed in favor of 65. I have heard both sides of the argument and support the later. It is done safely all the time at the fractionals. Another 5 years won't be a problem, in my opinion. But I digress and don't want that debate again. If it happens, it happens. I will go on living with either decision without it adversely affecting my life.

I also support getting assigned seniority in class at Southwest by your birthday. That seems to be the proper thing to do. The 'old geezers' don't have as much time left on this earth.....lol. Why not give them a few years of pleasure before they all die of old age? If this is a large concern in your life, I know alot of people who would LUV to trade places with you. You have a great job with great people (if you are flying for SWA), send me to Iraq again and guarantee me a job with SWA when I return with any base you want. Where do I sign up?

My question was a half hearted attempt at comedy. I am obviously not a funny guy because it apparantly missed it's mark. Sorry.

I hope I am at Southwest listening to the 'old geezers' someday. Best of luck to you Brownhound. I hope you get what you want in your life and live happy.

Brownhound

9999,

You're correct, 8 years in the right seat at Southwest with the old geezers beats time in Iraq. Good luck and thanks for your service.