Grumpyaviator

Furloughs were more about getting Force Majeure and a money grab than stuffing needs. Also a signal to DC.

But from the POV of pilots who will leave it’s not about ego and being stuck in a guppy, but the economic advantage over a career with a faster upgrade and wide body pay. I know the argument of we have more earnings potential, but the fact is my friends at other airlines with similar seniority out earn me flying far fewer hours per year.

I have a friend who went to FedEx when I came here and upgraded in eighteen months. Their upgrades are longer now but still light years ahead of us.

The stability and culture are no longer selling points for SWA.

DownAndDirty

"Um yeahhhh. I'm gonna have to go ahead and disagree with you on that" -Bill Lumbergh

I separated from the AF 2 years ago and came here, and have several friends at all the majors that were hired around the same time. Throughout the last year many were adamant about how great SWA was doing compared to their company. Some even telling me they're going to put an app in at SWA just based on how things have gone over the last year. Long term earning isn't everything, especially when you're furloughed or UNA. Like I said earlier, sitting WB reserve sounds pretty f'n fantastic, but for us currently at the bottom of our respective airline's seniority list, I think it's the last thing on our minds. Sitting right seat in the Guppy for 8 years, making $200k+ with my pick of OT trips isn't the worst thing in the world.

LUVisLost

I am a 1221 guy. I came here knowing a longer upgrade but weighed that with a culture I thought was different from a legacy along with some stability. After Gary crushed that thought I’m all about the money and that is it. Gary destroyed the feeling of a family and now I am being treated as a legacy I want to get paid like one. What do I care what the paint on the side of the plane says. FedEx, UPS, Delta, United or Southwest. I don’t care, I’ll go wherever I can make the most for my family. No ego, no cares just want the most money as everyone is now being treated the same.

Zard

It only takes one more Indonesian Max going for a swim at .89 Mach when we have 300 of them on property to really put us in a bad spot. There are guys very aware that the single fleet type is no longer a strength.

Grumpyaviator

The last year is an outlier, and during that time SWA showed it is just like every other airline. Over the course of a career we just don’t have the opportunities other carriers offer, and now we know we don’t have the job security either. GK has proven that he thinks we are nothing more than kool-aid drinking pawns.

Tankerhead

This.

As Bloat said: “Now what?”

DownAndDirty

As someone who's probably below you on the seniority list, I think you're absolutely right and you should give it a shot.

Lewbronski

I could care less what airplane I fly. From a human factors engineering perspective, my body is super-tired of being wedged into a guppy though. Not to mention that, compared to other aircraft I’ve flown, the 73 is less intuitive in terms of user interface. Makes my brain more tired than other jets. Oh, and it’s louder. Tinnitus sucks.

Also, I’m not counting on any major improvements in our next contract whenever it arrives. Like nearly 2/3 of the Amazon warehouse employees who stunningly (not really, it’s Alabama after all) voted against their own self interest to repeal a unionization initiative, SWA pilots have also demonstrated a remarkable willingness over the decades to act against our own self interest in matters involving the contract. We have repeatedly and happily fallen for the company’s anti-union propaganda on issues large and small. Paid parking anyone? Lifetime career earnings? Health insurance?

Will we be any different going forward even after the whole 1221 episode? I hope so but doubt it. We seem to be the Alabama Amazon warehouse employees of pilot groups.

We’ve also kind of proven to be like the battered spouse who keeps on luvin’ their abusive partner and going back for more for the umpteenth time just cuz they promised (again) to not do it again (furr realz this time).

Blah, blah, blah.

Caveman

Bid Straight, Bid Early, and Bid Often

RJSAviator76

Don’t forget sub rig...