What are the benefits of being a pilot for Southwest?

Career benefits for all Southwest pilots include health insurance, disability and life insurance, 401(k) retirement plans with company matching, employee profit-sharing, and unlimited space-available travel privileges for employees and eligible family members.



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Employees have free, unlimited travel privileges for themselves and eligible dependents on Southwest Airlines. Eligible dependents include spouse or committed/registered partner, eligible dependent children under 19 years old (or up to 24 if a full-time student), and parents.

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For example, Southwest Airlines pilots earn an average annual salary of $222,000. However, some Southwest pilots earn as much as $549,000. Similarly, United Airlines pilots earn an average of $205,000. The average Delta Airlines pilot earns $192,000 with top-earners making $526,000.

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Yes, commercial pilots tend to receive health, dental, vision, and life insurance. Additionally, pilots receive paid time off and already have one of the most flexible work schedule of any industry. These benefits, in addition to pilot salaries, help to make flying a rewarding career.

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This benefit varies from airline to airline. Family members may fly free when space is available or at discounted rates. Flying stand-by is a common benefit, but it can be challenging when there is a group. Some airlines provide “buddy passes” to pilots to share with friends and families.

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If a seat is available, they will receive a seat assignment and fly for free. The fuller the flight, the closer to boarding time this will occur - standby passengers often are the last to board.

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When it comes to working as a Southwest Airlines pilot, you will see that the trips are mainly made up of 3-day trips. That means day one is when you show up at your base to fly, stay the night on a layover, fly all day the second day, have another layover, and then go home the third day.

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Do pilots pay for their own hotels? The airline handles and pays for accommodations for crewmembers when they are on a trip. Many pilots do not live where they are based and choose to commute.

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The airline handles and pays for accommodations for crewmembers when they are on a trip. Many pilots do not live where they are based and choose to commute. Generally, if pilots need to travel and stay away from home when they are not on a trip, they are responsible for their own accommodations.

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Southwest pilots are based at one of 11 domiciles: ATL (Atlanta, GA), BWI (Baltimore, MD), MDW (Chicago, IL), DAL (Dallas, TX), DEN (Denver, CO), HOU (Houston, TX), LAS (Las Vegas, NV), LAX (Las Angeles, CA), OAK (Oakland, CA), MCO (Orlando, FL), and PHX (Phoenix, AZ).

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Southwest halves flying time for aspiring new pilots Effective February 7th, aspiring Southwest pilots will need at least 500 flying hours on jets or turboprop aircraft, down from the 1,000 the airline currently requires.

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Airline pilots fly an average of 75 hours per month and work an additional 150 hours per month performing other duties, such as checking weather conditions and preparing flight plans. Pilots have variable work schedules that may include some days of work followed by some days off.

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High Paying Pilot Jobs
  • Chief Pilot. Salary range: $84,500-$119,000 per year. ...
  • Private Pilot. Salary range: $83,500-$105,500 per year. ...
  • Helicopter Pilot. Salary range: $89,000-$104,000 per year. ...
  • Corporate Pilot. Salary range: $71,000-$100,000 per year. ...
  • Air Charter Pilot. ...
  • Airline Pilot. ...
  • Assistant Chief Pilot. ...
  • Commercial Pilot.


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(Here is a map.) But many pilots choose to live elsewhere and commute to work. They do so by hopping a free ride on their airline, or even in a jumpseat on the flight deck.

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