I really feel unaffected by the state of things. In fact I'm pretty optimistic about my current situation. Not only is there virtually no threat of hour reductions or layoffs, but there's pay increases and better job security on the horizon. It's a union gig with a strong union, I know that I'll be making $27 (at least) an hour as a ramp agent in 8 years based on the pay scale, have top notch medical, 401k with dollar for dollar match up to 7.3%, profit sharing, and it's all but guaranteed. There would have to be a catastrophic collapse of the entire airline industry that would cause EVERY major American airline to fold in order to threaten my position at my job.

We're really not feeling the heat at Southwest at all. We're operating in the black and even expanding, opening MSP this spring and beginning code shares to Canada and Mexico within a year or so..

Have any of you guys ever applied at Southwest? Don't give up on the airline industry, there's still a future in it. No matter how bad things become, there's no way air travel in the US is going to go away. It's vital for the economy for there to be air transportation. The federal government would never allow all of the airlines to just go out of business.. Eventually things are going to turn around and be better than ever before. And for those of us who stuck around, we will be rewarded greatly.

Usually what happens in these periods of recession is there is a rebound. Things might be bad for a while, and maybe get even worse before they get better again, but then there will be a rebound. Take the great depression for example. It was by far the worst period in American history, but the decades to follow were by far the highest. There was no higher point in time to be an American than in the 1950's. We might have to slum it out for the next few years, but when things come around and we're all full tenured airline employees in a booming economy, we'll be on top..

In the mean time, come over to Southwest to alleviate some of the grief