ZapBrannigan

I agree with that. What I hear is that in the old days the overnights were longer so you had more time to recover. Now, since the turns - although still quick - are longer, the overnights have gotten shorter. We start earlier and fly later than they did back then too - which has a cumulative effect over a 3 or 4 day trip. I'm also not a fan of running right up to 8 hours of flying in a day -- flying a long haul leg (after which all you want to do is get out of the airplane for a while! Use a real bathroom, maybe have a meal) and then after a 35 minute turn flying 3 more short/medium legs.

I get that it allows us to have more time off, but I just don't remember being so tired after a trip at US Airways back in the day. With an 85 hour cap it just wasn't as high workload a job I guess, or maybe I was just younger and more resilient.

flyguy81

I've done RJ flying for over a decade. I'm fine with the mix of short and long legs and I don't mind lots of legs...most I've done in a day is 9. I like the thought of not having to spend months of my life in training for different airplanes as I change planes t see different destinations/chase pay.

I just want to drive to work (live in a SWA base) and be treated like an asset by my employer instead of a liability like my current job. I'll sacrifice some pay in order to have a great QOL. So SWA is #1 on my list...if hired I'm not going anywhere.

OB Pilot

You seem to be the ideal candidate as you're very aware of the pluses and minuses of the job. Most legs I've flown in a day here is 5, and that's very rare. Mostly it's 2 or 3 legs per day. I also live in base here and, perhaps more than any other airline, that is the way to truly either maximize your time off or your pay, whichever you prefer.

newhire1234

Sorry if this was answered earlier in the thread. But what are the retirement numbers for southwest in the next few years and for anyone hired recently, what are the times people are getting hired with?

Thanks!

ANGFlight81

I'm told the 600+ next year is for growth. Roughly 350-500 retirements a year. When you do the ratio of the size of the pilot group to other legacies it's about the same.

We will see on the next economic downturn how "iron clad" everything is at a few of the legacies.

newhire1234

Thanks you!

flyguy81

Thanks...really hope I get the call in a few weeks.

Sr. Barco

I too like the shorter haul flying and the QOL living in domicile is awesome but you will not be treated as an asset by SWA. That was the previous CEO who did that. We've had an accountant in charge for 10 years now and it shows.

Woodbourne23

I hope you are correct and I am wrong, but my Intel is 180 degrees

Craig Drew was approached by the union re another increase of insane ja numbers and a large part of the 600 is to cover next summer. Sure there are 180 retirements and 2% fleet growth; however, 600+ are not needed for that alone ( 14x11.8 per hull equals 165).
Gary and Tammy have publicly stated ad nausem that no growth beyond GDP and up gauging 300 s with 800 s is their forte. It's all about earnings growth, stock buyback and shareholder value.

It's still a good paycheck but BUYER BEWARE, if you are a new hire pilot looking to get into the left seat in the next 10-15 years; this is probably not the place for you.

WHACKMASTER

Incorrect on the retirement numbers. They average about 150 annually through at least 2020. I'd have to check but they don't really jump up much greater than that up to 2025 either.

Retirement numbers are not great at SWA and is in large part the reason for the lengthy upgrade time.

Yes indeed. Supposedly low 600s for next year on the NHs.