Delta or Southwest?

Bigey

Bigey

Well-Known Member
Okay, interesting predicament to be in, but here goes. I've basically been offered a job by both carriers. Southwest as a ramp agent, and Delta as a customer service agent. Southwest is a permanent, full time job. Delta is a permanent, ready reserve job. Southwest 40+ hours, Delta 3-4 8 hour days.

I've been informed that Delta would work with my schedule within reason since it's not a regular full time employee and that I wouldnt have a problem with school the following semester and will be able to hold off weekends if need be. Southwest, I'd be on the bottom of the totem pole, and with BOS being fairly new, potentially be able to move up.

Heres the gripe:

I have school next semester and I'm launching my business in LA (yes, while I'm in Boston). I really want Southwest just because it seems as the place to be, and they have some of the best work rules/pay. Delta sounds good because they'll work with my schedule and it wont be as demanding as Southwest because of scheduling and the job itself (oustide vs inside).

Anyone have suggestions?

How are the flight benefits on Delta? Able to find space?
Also, what are the flight benefits (if any) for say a companion? When I was at Skywest, we could yearly award someone unlimited travel just as a spouse, if we didnt have a spouse.

Thanks for the words in advance!
 
Bigey said:
Okay, interesting predicament to be in, but here goes. I've basically been offered a job by both carriers. Southwest as a ramp agent, and Delta as a customer service agent. Southwest is a permanent, full time job. Delta is a permanent, ready reserve job. Southwest 40+ hours, Delta 3-4 8 hour days.

I've been informed that Delta would work with my schedule within reason since it's not a regular full time employee and that I wouldnt have a problem with school the following semester and will be able to hold off weekends if need be. Southwest, I'd be on the bottom of the totem pole, and with BOS being fairly new, potentially be able to move up.

Heres the gripe:

I have school next semester and I'm launching my business in LA (yes, while I'm in Boston). I really want Southwest just because it seems as the place to be, and they have some of the best work rules/pay. Delta sounds good because they'll work with my schedule and it wont be as demanding as Southwest because of scheduling and the job itself (oustide vs inside).

Anyone have suggestions?

How are the flight benefits on Delta? Able to find space?
Also, what are the flight benefits (if any) for say a companion? When I was at Skywest, we could yearly award someone unlimited travel just as a spouse, if we didnt have a spouse.
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Don't quote me, but I think Southwest is four round trips/year for a travel companion. Not sure if a ticket purchase is required - I know there are a few folks on here who are either Southwest or SWA travel companions who can answer specifically.

Stuff I actually know for a fact - Delta travel companions are unlimited with the purchase of a yield fare ticket for travel on Delta and Delta Connection carriers. In order to have a domestic partner (who is treated equivalent to a spouse, who gets free and unlimited travel on the DL/Connection system, and is eligible for ZED and other OAL stuff), you must have a shared residence, financial interdependence and a spouse or spouse like relationship with that person for a minimum of six months.

Just so's you're warned: Most carriers' pass policies contain a statement somewhat to the following effect: Nonrevenue pass travel is intended for personal travel only, and may not be used in furtherance of business. (The Man made me say it...)
 
Reading between the lines on your post, I can't help but notice that all your concerns deal with time off from the job (days off, flight benefits, outside interests, etc.) When starting a new job, it tends to work best if you don't have your eye on the door or the timeclock. My point being is that you seem more interested in when you DON'T have to work so you can work on other things. If so, then perhaps neither one is to your benefit now.

That said, I'd go for Southwest.
 
O&M said:
Reading between the lines on your post, I can't help but notice that all your concerns deal with time off from the job (days off, flight benefits, outside interests, etc.) When starting a new job, it tends to work best if you don't have your eye on the door or the timeclock. My point being is that you seem more interested in when you DON'T have to work so you can work on other things. If so, then perhaps neither one is to your benefit now.

That said, I'd go for Southwest.
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Bigey hustles. The only reason he cares about the off-time stuff is so that he can do another job. You needn't worry about Bigey's work ethic. Generally I'd agree with your post, but I'm just informing your opinion with a knowledge of Bigey.
 
Autothrust Blue said:
Don't quote me, but I think Southwest is four round trips/year for a travel companion. Not sure if a ticket purchase is required - I know there are a few folks on here who are either Southwest or SWA travel companions who can answer specifically.

Stuff I actually know for a fact - Delta travel companions are unlimited with the purchase of a yield fare ticket for travel on Delta and Delta Connection carriers. In order to have a domestic partner (who is treated equivalent to a spouse, who gets free and unlimited travel on the DL/Connection system, and is eligible for ZED and other OAL stuff), you must have a shared residence, financial interdependence and a spouse or spouse like relationship with that person for a minimum of six months.

Just so's you're warned: Most carriers' pass policies contain a statement somewhat to the following effect: Nonrevenue pass travel is intended for personal travel only, and may not be used in furtherance of business. (The Man made me say it...)
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Got it! I would never use my nonrev travel for business! Only to visit my family and friends in LA ;).

O&M said:
Reading between the lines on your post, I can't help but notice that all your concerns deal with time off from the job (days off, flight benefits, outside interests, etc.) When starting a new job, it tends to work best if you don't have your eye on the door or the timeclock. My point being is that you seem more interested in when you DON'T have to work so you can work on other things. If so, then perhaps neither one is to your benefit now.

That said, I'd go for Southwest.
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Well, the job isn't going to consume my whole life. I am worried about what's going to benefit me the most. I'm stuck, because I've maintained a 4.0 GPA for the first time in my life and am in the upstart of a business. That's where the time off/benefits come into play. I plan to give 110% of myself when on the job for either airline. That being said, I plan to use the airline job as a means to further grow myself in personal and professional manners.

WacoFan said:
Bigey hustles. The only reason he cares about the off-time stuff is so that he can do another job. You needn't worry about Bigey's work ethic. Generally I'd agree with your post, but I'm just informing your opinion with a knowledge of Bigey.
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Waco, I'm just trying to follow in your footsteps. If I can be half the guy you are....well, i'd be 1/4 the normal guy. ;)

All kidding aside, thanks for the kind words. I can't believe some of the business aspects (for a startup at least) I was completely oblivious about! Who would have ever thought I'd write a business model, logistics plan, create a logo, create contracts and wrap it up together with projections in a finalized business plan ready to get financing?
 
Bigey said:
Waco, I'm just trying to follow in your footsteps. If I can be half the guy you are....well, i'd be 1/4 the normal guy. ;)

All kidding aside, thanks for the kind words. I can't believe some of the business aspects (for a startup at least) I was completely oblivious about! Who would have ever thought I'd write a business model, logistics plan, create a logo, create contracts and wrap it up together with projections in a finalized business plan ready to get financing?
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It's fun isn't it! Just keep in mind...even though you had the concept...are doing the front end work...are taking all the risk...will work harder than any employees you ever hire...just remember this - if you make it big some jack ass on JC will be telling you it is because you did it on the backs of your workers and that you're greedy! Have fun. Also remember - whatever happens - success or failure - most people walking around don't have the balls to start something on their own. Hope this works, but even if it doesn't get up and try it again. The hard part is having the balls to make the decision - you've already done that once, and it gets easier from there.
 
WacoFan said:
It's fun isn't it! Just keep in mind...even though you had the concept...are doing the front end work...are taking all the risk...will work harder than any employees you ever hire...just remember this - if you make it big some jack ass on JC will be telling you it is because you did it on the backs of your workers and that you're greedy! Have fun. Also remember - whatever happens - success or failure - most people walking around don't have the balls to start something on their own. Hope this works, but even if it doesn't get up and try it again. The hard part is having the balls to make the decision - you've already done that once, and it gets easier from there.
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Thanks!

I did this once before for another startup actually. Even got financing to an extent. However, I had to pull the plug on it really late into the game. It sucked, but luckily I had this one on the backburner and kept saying, as soon as I'm done with this one, i'll move to that one. Well, this one is now that one and here I am! I'll keep you posted on the progress. I'm going live in oh about 3 weeks from now. :)
 
+1 for the happier Southwest folks. They seem to "luv" taking care of people. I'm an OAL non-rev and every time they've busted their butt to get me onboard.
 
You need to go with the job that can offer close to what you're looking for. It seems Delta has a schedule more to what your looking for. Nonrev on Delta isn't bad. I got hired in March and I've already noreved a couple of times with no problems. Even though I lost 5 years of senority from Comair, I'm a higher priority over what I would be if I'd stayed.
 
As far as I know, where I live anyway, Delta and Southwest pay starts at about the same rate, I think at SDF Southwest starts about 30 cents an hour higher. A word of warning though, most of the people I know at Southwest seem like they get a LOT of mandatory overtime. Your plans be damned, they expect you to be at work when they tell you to. I know someone who recently got mandatory overtime and ended up working 0500-2300 and had to be back at 0500 the next day. It doesn't really fall in with the "awesome work rules" that everyone seems to tell me they have. Honestly, if you know for sure that Delta is going to work around your school schedule, I'd go there. I know it gets said over and over again, but if you're close to finishing, that should be priority number 1 right now. Being able to hold weekends off is pretty huge too. It takes years even at a small station like the one I work at, and I still can't manage to get Sundays off after almost 2 years.

On the flight benefit side, yeah Southwests are nice, but Delta has a TON of international routes and some pretty nice first class. And I imagine their ZED agreements are a little better than Southwests should you get stuck and have to take another airline to get home.
 
Sounds like you have a lot going on. Do you really want to take a full time job with everything else? Delta Ready Reserve is perfect for you, and you should be able to work your schedule pretty well. I worked for Delta as a Ready Reserve and really enjoyed it. Also, Delta is offering a retirement package right now, so if you decide you do want full time I don't think it will take very much to make full time.


Just remember, though, advice on the internet is worth exactly what you paid for it.
 
Delta Ready Reserve is the place to be... You really can't beat Delta NRSA in all my experiences. ZED fares and the like I don't have any experience with as I've only worked for a wholly owned contractor, but the Delta program itself is quite nice, especially the First Class upgrades which happen to me more than I thought they would.
 
H46Bubba said:
You need to go with the job that can offer close to what you're looking for. It seems Delta has a schedule more to what your looking for. Nonrev on Delta isn't bad. I got hired in March and I've already noreved a couple of times with no problems. Even though I lost 5 years of senority from Comair, I'm a higher priority over what I would be if I'd stayed.
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That sounds good!

JordanD said:
As far as I know, where I live anyway, Delta and Southwest pay starts at about the same rate, I think at SDF Southwest starts about 30 cents an hour higher. A word of warning though, most of the people I know at Southwest seem like they get a LOT of mandatory overtime. Your plans be damned, they expect you to be at work when they tell you to. I know someone who recently got mandatory overtime and ended up working 0500-2300 and had to be back at 0500 the next day. It doesn't really fall in with the "awesome work rules" that everyone seems to tell me they have. Honestly, if you know for sure that Delta is going to work around your school schedule, I'd go there. I know it gets said over and over again, but if you're close to finishing, that should be priority number 1 right now. Being able to hold weekends off is pretty huge too. It takes years even at a small station like the one I work at, and I still can't manage to get Sundays off after almost 2 years.

On the flight benefit side, yeah Southwests are nice, but Delta has a TON of international routes and some pretty nice first class. And I imagine their ZED agreements are a little better than Southwests should you get stuck and have to take another airline to get home.
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That's what I've been hearing too about the mando OT. That doesn't too reasonable with a school schedule. I think I'm looking for something with a little more structure right now.

pilotmg1501 said:
Sounds like you have a lot going on. Do you really want to take a full time job with everything else? Delta Ready Reserve is perfect for you, and you should be able to work your schedule pretty well. I worked for Delta as a Ready Reserve and really enjoyed it. Also, Delta is offering a retirement package right now, so if you decide you do want full time I don't think it will take very much to make full time.

Just remember, though, advice on the internet is worth exactly what you paid for it.
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Awesome! I think it's becoming clear that for where I'm at RIGHT NOW, Delta makes more sense. I do love Southwest, but I'd hate to take on a job and potentially lose my 4.0 GPA I've for the first time got. Not to mention, my business. Now, I heard you can fly the jumpseat (F/A) on Southwest if the cabin is full. Is the same true at Delta? Can a non-F/A fly jumpseat or no?

scramjet said:
Delta Ready Reserve is the place to be... You really can't beat Delta NRSA in all my experiences. ZED fares and the like I don't have any experience with as I've only worked for a wholly owned contractor, but the Delta program itself is quite nice, especially the First Class upgrades which happen to me more than I thought they would.
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Which airline did you work for? How does the First Class stuff work? Do you have to pay a fee?
 
Under ordinary circumstances, it would be no question in favor of Southwest, because frankly it's superior in nearly every aspect as an employer. However, with your scheduling limitations I might go with the place that has promised to work with your schedule. Because Southwest wont. As a new hire, you will work a great deal of involuntary overtime. It is double time pay, but it sounds like it's not a money issue. You'll also be given the least favorable hours and off days. We recently hired a guy who works in real estate as his main job and he's CONSTANTLY being extended out for double shifts and he's having a hard time making it work. The upside is that it's only a temporary stretch and once you're past it (more people get hired under you) you have it made in the shade. If you think you could buckle down for a good 6 months and work some overtime, Southwest would be the choice. If not, go with Delta.
 
num1bearsfan said:
(more people get hired under you)
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That was one of the reasons I really started to rethink going to WN if they started hiring at my airport. I've been working there for 2 years and have only heard of them hiring twice, and the second one I heard through the grapevine and it never actually went public. That's a LOT of time to spend at the bottom of the totem pole.
 
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