Southwest Offers CASH for Pilots to leave!

[SWA/FO]

Its called the Freedom 09 Voluntary Separation Program!

Hired 1997 or earlier = $130,000
1998 = $115,000
1999 = $105,000
2000 = $95,000
2001 = $80,000
2002 = $70,000
2003 = $60,000
2004 = $50,000
2005 = $35,000
2006 = $25,000
2007 = $15,000
2008 = $4,500

I wonder if any old goats are leaving?

 

[shootr]

Higher than expected. Don't expect many to take it.

shootr

 

[SWA/FO]

A couple of senior guys will take it...tired of the 2 leg commute to TUL or OKC.

I bet Capt. Dave Rose - that just "retired" last Friday in OAK is kicking himself right now. All he had to do was work another month and he would have gotten $130,000 to do what he was planning on doing anyway!

 

[Colonel Savage]

Not much of an offer, though. Especially the "1997 or earlier" part. Kind of an insult really, for the 20+ year guys.

 

[SWA/FO]

Not much of an offer, though. Especially the "1997 or earlier" part. Kind of an insult really, for the 20+ year guys.

Don't worry about the 20+ year guys, they are doing just fine. Remember this is voluntary

 

[banger]

Funny you mentioned Dave's name. If it is the same Dave I went to AOCS with him and flight school back in 1981. Haven't heard or seen him since just now. Thanks for renewing the memories!

 

[Old School 737]

Funny how it was SWA leading the push to raise the age 60 rule now this!!!!!!

 

[Yuppyguppy]

Yep...nice one swapa...and alpa too (which voted against the majority of the membership that said "NO")

 

[satpak77]

Its called the Freedom 09 Voluntary Separation Program!

Hired 1997 or earlier = $130,000
1998 = $115,000
1999 = $105,000
2000 = $95,000
2001 = $80,000
2002 = $70,000
2003 = $60,000
2004 = $50,000
2005 = $35,000
2006 = $25,000
2007 = $15,000
2008 = $4,500

I wonder if any old goats are leaving?

what happens when nobody takes this offer?

 

[The Prussian]

what happens when nobody takes this offer?

I can think of at least one 25+ year guy in PHX who will jump at this.

 

[CheapFlyer]

I would jump all over this if I was 60+ with 20 years of captain pay under my belt.

-CF

 

[Colonel Savage]

I guess the real question is why are they doing this.

 

[Secret Squirrel]

I would jump all over this if I was 60+ with 20 years of captain pay under my belt.

-CF

Problem is when three ex-wives come after their share it will be around $5000 after taxes.

 

[shootr]

We are overmanned as a company. This offer is open to almost all employees but only pilots have been offered this high of an amount (it's based upon salary). SWA does this every few years to weed out the most senior employees. Rarely are pilots included.

Due to the shoulder cuts, we're about 200 pilots overmanned. This may be a way to mitigate it...if anyone takes it.

shootr

 

[satpak77]

still unanswered....

We are overmanned as a company. This offer is open to almost all employees but only pilots have been offered this high of an amount (it's based upon salary). SWA does this every few years to weed out the most senior employees. Rarely are pilots included.

Due to the shoulder cuts, we're about 200 pilots overmanned. This may be a way to mitigate it...if anyone takes it.

shootr

Questions still remain

1. As discussed above, "pilots are rarely included". OK - Why now?

2. Ok, a few guys will take it. However what if not enough (whatever # worked out by the corporate office), then what? This is supposedly aimed at "senior captains." How many low level FO's make up one senior captain, in terms of cost to the company? Three? So does that mean three (or whatever, this is used only for discussion) FO's will be furloughed for every non-responding "senior captain" to this offer?

3. Lets say 10 million guys (again, used for discussion) take it, now what happens to manning and fleet plans? Will hiring resume? Based on #2 above, it is arguably more cost effective to have three bodies on the property at the cost of one senior body in one cockpit.

4. Age 65 - I wonder what this is actually costing SWA in terms of salary, etc. 200K a year for 5 more years past age 60, well that is 1M dollars, for one body. Would I pay $250,000 to get rid of that 1 million dollar guy? Yes, of course.

etc etc