Please don't make out the SO gig to be something it's not. Lots of us come here with plenty of experience. I was an RJ capt in the states, and passed up on other opportunities to come here. I make double the pay and I don't work. I have 20 days off per month. I think if they would let me, I may be a career SO!!
:ok:

box

boxjockey... here fuc$%n here! Likewise although not quite an RJ captain but I too joined for those exact reasons, career SO.. I WISH!!

eheheh. how can i reply to statements like these:eek:??...u obviously dont enjoy flying anymore, so its probably the best deal 4 u.
glad to be a short haul FO.:)

ha ha i am pretty boozed right now but not worth taking the piss out of those of us that don't give a shi$! anyone up for the chai tonight? don't even know when i have to work again but I know it's not in the next 4 or 5 days... work it out when i'm crook tomorrow i guess.
Yep... long haul sucks :p enjoy none of your hang overs :O

mmm..ok...:bored:

Pay for your endorsement;

I think he means that you actually have to put up cash ($$$) in order to buy your rating.

SWA is no different-pay for training; unless you had some other airline rate you in the 73.

Pay for training=paying your own $s for the rating.

Not me! Got mine through UAL back in the days.

What about those CX SO's? What kind of rating do they get? A BE-76 rating from ADL? Hahahahahahharharhar Or some bullsh!t fake P2X 744 type rating? YGTBSM!

I definitely still enjoy flying. I have had many different flying experiences. I will definitely have plenty more. I think a three year paid vacation is quite good actually. Who cares about the P2X rating. I didn't come here for a type. Already have one of those. What else would you like to spray? I don't need to fluff my feathers, brother. I love my job, how about you? :ok:

box

"ha ha i am pretty boozed right now but not worth taking the piss out of those of us that don't give a shi$! anyone up for the chai tonight? don't even know when i have to work again but I know it's not in the next 4 or 5 days... work it out when i'm crook tomorrow i guess.
Yep... long haul sucks :p enjoy none of your hang overs"

I guess the difference is that when you get the opportunity to move up to FO - SFO - CAPT status you will find it very hard going having had your skills eroded over the intervening years through lack of operating. I doubt it will be a pleasurable time trying to get back into it. Good luck anyway.:ok:

And why did United to give you a free type? Are you telling us that you used to be a Captain with United?

Most US majors type both pilots.

Not on narrowbodies, both pilots get typed once they get on the 75, 76 or 777 because those guys do international. Jumpseated last week on UAL and the FO had only SIC type rating........

Well, with a name like BigPimpin, we should all hang on your every word, oh wise one. Got your type back in the day, huh? So how far back in the day was that, Mr. Le Pimp? And if you are indeed so happy at SWA, then why are you here in the fragrant harbour trolling? Everyone has to follow their own path, sounds to me like maybe you chose the wrong one....? Maybe not. I truly hope you are happy. Great company with great people. Enjoy your time in ELP, MCI, BWI, etc. G'day!!!!!!! :ok:

box

I think the pimp is full of you know what. But, UA just recently started type rating all FOs. Maybe he jumped ship as soon as he got it. Anyway, who gives a you know what.

Box, with 20 days off what kind of schedule do you have? Sounds too good to be true. Can you get a whole block of days off say 8-10? I might have to commute to NA for the first couple of months. I'm joining on Sept on the 747.

I normally have three trips per month. Usually start late at night or in the afternoon of the first day, and finish early in the morning on the last. In reality it is three 4 day trips, but they aren't that long. You have a sim every other month. Reserve replaces one trip every other month. That's about it. I regularly get a group of between 7-10 days off in a month. Sometimes as many as 12. Some of the others are correct however, you may find you get a bit bored with not flying, but when you look at all of the positives, I think they outweigh this fact and the others that have been discussed here ad nauseum. Hope this helps. :ok:

box

Just for info,

Those days off they are talking about above are if you are SO on the B744.

If you start on the airbus, you'll be on ULH for the first 9 months or so. You'll get the days off they state in the above posts. After 9 months, you'll get CCQ'd onto the A330. I now do (and have done since being CCQ'd) 5 trips a month. The most time off in between 2 trips would be 7 days. This is working off a normal roster, not a Super Compact Roster. Once the roster comes out, you can swap and sometimes I can achieve 10 days off in a row, but it takes some time to get the swaps processed.

This current month I have 4 AUS trips and 1 ULH to London (and still haven't passed the 83 hrs mark). I couldn't believe I was going to Europe! wait a second...it's my annual line check.

WP

WP and Boxjocke, thanks for the insight.

It looks like the SO's are overpaid for the work they are doing!!!! Management is taking note.

haha.... I don't think so... Try the SO's at QF.

the truth is, it is absolutely unfair to be demoted to SO for a jet FO or even worse a Capt. And I m not talking money or rosters, Im talking about the pride we should all take in our job.
If people are willing to do it for different reasons, then this is something not to be judged, but i still think its unfair for an airline to do this.