Does anything come close to Southwest?

A long time friend of mine has been working for Southwest as a ramp agent for quite a few years. A few months ago when I found myself without a job he began trying to get me in with Southwest as a ramp agent. Unfortunately it's been a difficult task and I cannot afford to stay unemployed for this long. Lately I've been browsing job listings for various other airline positions, but it apears that for one reason or another these entry level jobs with other airlines don't even come CLOSE to the pay and benefits that Southwest offers it's ramp agents. I have no problem doing this sort of work (despite my age), but I simply cannot afford to do it making only $9 an hour and little oportunity for raise. He let me have a copy of his union handbook and in it outlines all of the benefits and pay rates.

Pay starts at $10.28 an hour with a bump to $10.80 after 6 months, and finishes at $26 an hour! They also get 401k with dollar for dollar match up to 8.3%, as well as company profit sharing. They get up to 5 weeks of vacation a year as well as 1 vacation day to be used within each month (thats like 7 weeks vacation). My buddy makes a little over $70,000 a year, and I've seen the paychecks. Add on top of that he can fly for free. It sounds to me like having a job as a ramper at Southwest is like having it made in the shade.

Am I overlooking something or are Southwest ramp agents just paid a LOT more than every other airline? How can Southwest ramp agents be making 70k when then next guy is making 21k? If I missed another airline with comparable pay and benefits please let me know.

I can tell you here at SFO, Southwest is 3rd in pay/benefits for its CS/ramp teams. Alaska has the best, starting pay is $14/hour with similar benefits to WN. Hell at Skywest I make more than the agents at WN at SFO. 7 weeks paid vacation is awesome, but other airlines pay the same or better. And you have to look at the benefits closely. At WN you can fly for free all over the US and for cheap in coach on other airlines though ZED agreements and what not. United probably doesn't pay as well, and may not be nearly as fun to work for, but those guys can fly first class to SFO/LAX-Sydney(a $24,000 ticket) for $350 r/t, taxes included.

Point is, every airline has its ups and downs, if you can't get into WN, you may find something better.

At WN you will also work harder for that money. The 737 is probably my least favorite planes that I have ever worked stacking bags. I worked at UA in the international end at IAD and averaged only 2-3 flights per day. WN you may work that many in an hour.

I take it you haven't stacked too many aft bins on an MD-80? Pure torture. I get the impression ramp isn't what it used to be. My sup today was telling me how they used to make over $80,000 a year there and took a 50% paycut when they were moved from mainline to one of their regionals. They got triple pay if they worked on holidays too. Certainly sucks to hear about the good ole days, and probably sucks even more to have all that taken away.

Luckily I have never had to work that plane. I have seen the inside of the MD-80 and I would hate to stack that. I heard the same stories from all the senior co-workers at UA about taking pay cuts and ESOP losses. Management wonders why the rank and file are so angry.

Thanks for the info! Unfortunately though I'm not in an Alaska/Skywest city. Do you know the exact pay scale of both Skywest and Alaska? In my experience, some airlines indeed start off a couple bucks more an hour but typically that stops being that case after about year 3, and ultimately tops off at $26 which I know for a fact is unmatched.

The entire current scale for Southwest goes,..

10.28 - 11.12 (after 6 months)
11.47
11.94
13.36
15.09
16.36
17.61
18.49
19.34
20.22
21.09
25.97

Also, are Skywest and Alaska ramp unionized?




Thanks for all the input guys!

I don't have the payscales memorized but I know it goes something like this. I'll talk about SFO since we tend to be paid more there due to the cost of living.

1st year pay at WN is $10 something at WN, $12 something at OO, and $14 something at AS. I'm on 2nd year pay now at OO and making about $13/hr, my friend at WN is making about $11/hr on his second year pay. Eventually the WN payscale passes mine and keeps going up, dunno about at AS, but you have to work at WN a looong time before you get to that point.

I was paid 10.26 starting at nwa. we had some ppl work enough ot with holidays to pull in 100k/yr. Flying was free, all those bennies that the OP mentioned too.

FBO's at major airports by far get paid the most with good benefits, and are treated well. Plus you can make a small fortune off of tips alone. The downfall is zero flight bennies.

I know this is a old post, but no we dont. I make 11 an hour and I have been at my job for two years. Our medical is awsome but that is about it.

Signature, Swissport, ASIG, and a few other biggies dont pay their employees #&$*.

I should have gone to WN when they had offer me a job. I could have made more money there than where I am working at now.

FBO at a Class D. Got paid $14/hr and in the busy season we'd easily walk away with $50 a night in tips each.

FBO @ a Class C. Line Service Team Leader and I'm not even breaking 10/hr. Absolutely horrendous.

The connections made however, are invaluable.

FBO, Class D raking in a mighty $11 hour, standard line service technician title. Not as much as we should make, I believe.

We can get some real decent tips every now ant then, but like 9AT said, connections are very, very invaluable.

FBO at a Class D, I work the overnights, been here 3 years, and making just under $13/hr. Not easy to network and make connections at 3am around here, but it's quiet. I get a lot of studying and movie watching done around here.

I work ramp for Southwest. I have 4 years, make $15.09 an hour. We top off at $26 an hour based on our current contract. Lot's of overtime opportunity as well. So far this year I've made $12,000, so at that rate I'll make about 48k this year. The benefits are outstanding as well. Free flights, great medical, 401k with dollar for dollar company match, profit sharing, tons of vacation time (currently I get what amounts to 5 weeks vacation a year plus generous sick time. Topped out agents get what amounts to 7 weeks a year). Our scheduling is awesome. We bid on our shift times and days off every 1 or 2 months (6 times per year min per contract), and we can pick up, give away, or trade shifts at will..

I'm completely 100% head over heels in love with my job. My quality of life has never been better than it currently is working for WN. It's like a dream.

wow, I didnt know you rampers made so much Maybe I should quit my pilot job.

Anybody know what Regional Elite starts rampers/gate agents off at?

Bringing back an old thread, but...

I work for WN and I can say that it is far better than any job I've EVER had. The benefits and the people are absolutely outstanding.

This thread just goes to show.... if you treat your employees right, they tend to love their job! WN figured this out... still waiting on everyone else... :beer:

(And no, I'm not a WN Cheerleader)

I had interviews with US and WN in PHX. US one was first and I was offered a job, took it, then called WN to tell them I was no longer available...Some days I wonder...3.5 years on the ramp in PHX for US. We've seen 130 degrees on the ramp this summer.

Though the flight benefits at US are nice (Int'l) and what not, it's just hard to get a seat....