Southwest vs the legacy majors, different culture, different pay structure
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#1 People often ask about Southwest because of its reputation for culture. From what I know: Southwest pays per trip rather than per block hour (a trip-for-pay system), has no first class and a single 737 fleet, mostly domestic with quick turnarounds, and a well-known fun culture with strong pay after the recent contract. Reserve exists but the rhythm is different, more sectors, fewer long layovers. Anyone at Southwest, please correct or add.
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#2 The trip-for-pay system is the key difference and it rewards efficient flying. Southwest FAs I know are happy people; the job is more sectors and less glamour.