e6bpilot

That depends a lot on you. Plan on 1200x TFP rate (listed on APC page) with the ability to flex and add about 20-30 percent on top of that if you are willing to put in the work.

Once you get a line and learn to work the system and live in a base that doesn't rhyme with Orlando or Atlanta, the world is your oyster. You can either have an amazing QOL or make a fortune. It's tough to do both.

e6bpilot

Strange question. This info is widely available with a little searching, but not sure why you would care as size does not really matter (so I've been told).

4V14T0R

I don't think this is correct. I'm in a junior-ish base and after 3 years I still need about 40 more below me to be in blank territory. They have doubled the amount of reserves and you will need to be about 80% in base to hold blanks. I'm not saying it will take 3 years but I do think it will be a lot longer than 6 months to hold a line.


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e6bpilot

Good point. That's why I kind of put a disclaimer in there. Thanks for the perspective.

What he is talking about is the company deciding on their own to increase reserve and blank line coverage to add stability to the schedule. They basically got burned by trying to be cheap and running a lean 2015 type of schedule with 2021 manning and the associated Covid apathy. After a few meltdowns, they have decided to run a more legacy "fat" type of long range scheduling operation and using reserves for reserve stuff instead of using them as first bidders for open time. They have gone to 20 percent reserve coverage and also greatly increased the number of blank lines. This was supposed to be through spring, but now it is extended through September. This has had the added effect of absolutely packing the hard lines with flying. There are very few "easy money" 12 day, weekday hard lines. Many block in the 80s and work 14-15 days. This results in sick calls and reroutes that have to be covered by reserves. Kind of a self licking ice cream cone.

When (if) they ever return to the old SWA way of doing things, expect a more normal time to hold a hard line and a better assortment of hard lines to choose from.

bobble

thanks for the heads up. I guess it’ll motivate me to find a house in Dallas!

Crockrocket95

You can get 100K year 1 if you hustle a bit. Learn to pick up OT/EF at year 2 pay. It helps.

Year 2 should be able to break 200K if you hustle. If not 180K is more doable.

Year 3 should have no problem hitting 200K, 250K if you like to work and or don't have a home life.

Zard

Like e6b said, that commute will make you old early. The good news is we’ve got service out of VPS now, but it’s always a knife fight outta PNS. You can’t swing a dead cat without hitting someone trying to bum a jumpseat.

Skyward

First year I did right at 100k. 3rd year was about 180k-ish, but I did’t really pick up. I went more for the 18 (or more) day off months and less for picking up. I was a commuter then. Pre-covid too

ipdanno

Pilots with whom I have flown have told me they used the Chicago trains at night ONCE.

After that, it was ride-share or move to base. I have an hour+ drive from northern IN.

ipdanno

And ZapB, congratulations on losing your wager. It’s all for the best!