Turbosina

Great insight here, you're absolutely right. I spent many years of my professional life outside of 121 flying (I only have 10 years at a 121 carrier, and before that I ran a large flight school and also spent years in a non-aviation career...so the concept of *not* giving two weeks notice gives me heart palpitations. But I see what you mean, absolutely.

rickair7777

Ideally you want to give the minimum notice required by the employer to remain in good standing. Just in case you ever need a reference. Certainly don't give them any more than that because they'll often cut you loose immediately, or after your last scheduled trip (when I left the regional I picked up a turn on what I wanted to be my actual last day, which left me just enough time to drive to the new job).

Air gap is dangerous in this industry, minimize it. Leaving time for vacation, etc between jobs is a bad idea, certainly if you're giving up significant seniority. Unless you have contractual provisions to the contrary, assume that your air gap starts the day you give notice. They often won't let you take it back, especially if there's a big industry black swan in progress (9/11, covid).

If the employer has a ridiculous policy, like more than two weeks, I'd just quit the day before class at the next airline... late in the day. Especially if the next job is intended to be your final career stop. No way would I give one months notice, that's an eternity... in the last month AS, SW, and NK stopped hiring

wndriver

That never happened to me at 121. I always finished all of my trips, then turned in my stuff.

CatPilot1

All this talk reminds me of a couple guys calling in sick at the their former shop(cashing in their sick bank) while in Indoc at their new shop. Their former shop caught wind and informed their new shop. They were subsequently fired by both shops concurrently.

123AB

I really admire your ethics, but I agree with the others. You’ve worked very hard to get to where you’re at. Protect yourself the best you can.

In the course of one day, Southwest stripped away the opportunity for many to start, even though they had job offers. I am not trying to continue to rag on them for that but I am pointing out that United could do the same thing too. Don’t leave yourself hanging.

Come to class and start. Smile and be part of the team. Then follow your heart to United if it is time and say goodbye to your classmates.

If something happens at United, at least you are employed by Southwest.

Smooth at FL450

United's annual report yesterday didn't exactly paint a rosy picutre regarding aircraft deliveries...they are affected by the same Max issues SWA is, maybe to a lesser extent. But 80 fewer aircraft is 80 fewer aircraft.

This whole conversation is moot if United hits the brakes as well.

Timmay

As COVID was hitting its stride in early 2020 United waited until the Friday afternoon prior to a Monday new-hire class to inform that class as well as the following that were scheduled that they were cancelled. Even if you waited right up to the class date, there was NOBODY that hadn't already quit their previous jobs in order to start their class on the other side of the weekend.

That will always stick with me, and I think of it every time I hear somebody talk about moving in to United. That, to me, was a shadier move than what they did with their vaccination policy in the following years.

sailingfun

You do understand SW still has easily the best balance sheet in the industry?

Broncofan

yeah I remember that it’s really messed up. Whenever we have cool aid sessions I always remember this is just a business. They can/will treat me like that one day if they need to, so I shouldn’t worry about thinking about my interests over the company.

RJSAviator76

This is precisely how it'll happen. One minute they're steadily marching on towards having a 28,000 pilot group. The next minute they're stopping all hiring well short of the stated goal and the following minute they'll be offering buyouts and early outs if not furloughs because of various factors. Mind you, I don't mean United... I mean ANY airline including Southwest and we've just proven it.

Anyone with a quarter clue about this industry knows how cyclical it is and that the eyewatering hiring numbers we've seen in the past few years are the exception, not the norm, and at some point, they'll come to the end, and just like always it'll be an abrupt slam on the brakes.

He doesn't. He's been in the industry for the whole 5 minutes and he's got it stitched up. People like him is why I think these forums are losing their value... far too many trolls.