ZapBrannigan

Just keep in mind one thing with regard to furlough history. In the last 35 years of the airline pilot profession there are two lies that are told at pretty much every airline indoc and inevitably end up being science fiction.

#1. This is the last uniform you are ever going to wear
#2. The upgrade time is right around 5 years

jbizon

I did yesterday

e6bpilot

#3. I am looking at a room full of millionaires.


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ZapBrannigan

ugh... I promise you that I've never heard that at any of the other places i've worked. That really rubbed me the wrong way.

727C47

So now you are trolling over here too?

at6d

Haven't heard the first one...but #2 is dead on.

Thunder1

Super EZ E,

You are SO spot on! However, you forgot to mention that Southwest is such a damaged carrier and that they want the new hires to feel LUVed that they are issuing a pink unicorn to every new hire pilot. In addition, every new hire gets an unlimited supply of rainbow colored skittles.

Now for the real scoop for those interested in working at Southwest....
1) Moderate hiring for the foreseeable future (300-500 per year probably)
2) Excellent work rules
3) Excellent scheduling flexibility
4) Great pay with the ability to augment when YOU want to
a) 4th year F/O this year and I'll do 210K total pay in 2015
6) Slower upgrades than Legacies -- assuming the Gulf carriers don't destroy the Legacies international operations.
7) Proven track record of profitability and no furloughs
8) 2+ years into contract negotiations -- company playing hardball; however, expecting a TA to vote on this fall. Don't think we'll hit a home run on this contract but I do think we'll see some decent gains; the devil in this contract will be Section 1 - Scope. We'll see.......

Bottom line: apply where you want to work. The only individuals with a real choice to make are those very few individuals that get hired by a Legacy AND Southwest at the same time.

P.S. -- I wish 7 year SWA F/Os were leaving for Legacies but it just isn't the case.
Suggest you go troll elsewhere Super.

skypine27

There is at least 1 former SWA guy in our (FDX) July 20 th new hire class. Though I can't say if they are 7 year guys or not.

Sliceback

Retirements are more reliable than growth when making predictions.

Eighty percent of AA's list will be gone by the end of 2029. DL is very similar and UA is a couple of percentage points less. Even a change to Age 67 or 68 will only delay the inevitable.

Each has their pluses and minuses.

shoelu

Agreed that retirements are a more dependable data point when predicting possible upgrades, but to even attempt to prognosticate 14 years into the future in this industry is absolutely ludicrous.

-In 1977, 14 years before Pan Am's demise, what was a new hires expectation?

-In 1977, 14 years before Eastern's demise, what was a new hires expectation?

-In 1968, 14 years before Braniff's demise, what was a new hires expectation?

To be clear, any of the big four could EASILY be dead and buried long before your 2029 estimate of the seniority list potential numbers on that date.

Head to the first airline that you could conceivably see yourself retiring from if you were offered a job. If you still feel you might be happier somewhere else, continue to submit applications until you find yourself at your own personal "best" airline. If your too old to keep moving hope and pray that your ideal job is the first one offered.