SWA culture!

[Mickey D]

I think that if the general public was given access to read the posts on this board, many would be just as surprised by the lack of maturity displayed here as they were by the guy who gave the homophobic rant over the airwaves. I think that immaturity and behavior similar to the kindergarten sandbox are bringing our profession down much more than hustling to keep a flight on time is. We have a poster in our training center with Coleen Barett on it saying "we are a customer service business that flies airplanes" (or something like that). Most of us keep that in mind and pitch in when we can.

 

[dragontamer]

Does the secretary help you do your walk arounds? Most of us don't give a hoot.

OYS

If I'm late to the airplane (connections, etc), no the secretary won't. The Captain will, though. He'll probably have all my preflight done also. As I slide into my seat with 137 pax already on board,he'll give me a "take your time but I think I got most of it done." A couple minutes later we push.

One thing I didn't mention in my previous post on the SWA culture was the amazing pay, QOL, benefits, etc. etc. etc. that come with rolling up your sleeves and doing whatever it takes to make things happen.

Obviously some on here feel entitled to a higher sense of nobility. That's fine, SWA aint the place. Keep your attitude and your "that's not my job views"--it's good for my career stability.

 

[waveflyer]

How about swa inflate your payroll with a few cleaners (I am sure they can afford) and give you a well deserved break between turns ? With the little ground time you have and with the amount of legs you fly, you would probably welcome a few minutes to relax and prep. for your next trip ? Just a thought, not like you guys need any suggestions.

And you are absolutely right, Sir. I am not a good fit for swa. Enjoy .

I get any breaks I truly need. In the meantime I value my work ethic and actually think it gives me more energy than it takes from me. Certainly more satisfaction and an opportunity to stretch my legs while being productive and an opportunity to interact with the passengers that I enjoy. Mostly, I get a simple thank you- which is more than enough- but sometimes people get truly inspired-

had an 80yo retired pan am pilot tell me he'd never have to pass out peanuts. I stopped, assured him it was voluntary and got a chance to talk to him for quite a while- at the end, I said if i didn't pass out peanuts I wouldn't have got meet and talk with a PanAm pilot and it was truly a pleasure doing so- you could tell he wanted to tell his story- no less than half a dozen customers shook my hand after the DH and witnessed me turning a grumpy man trying to take me down a notch and leave him feeling special.
I've been bowed to by a 60-something Japanese man. And I've had socal people shun me. (But swa seems to keep getting their money, so...)

I really value those interactions personally and feel like SWA has earned my
best by how they act. If we don't reward them for doing right by us, what does that say about us? What behavior would that be inviting?
Seems your attitude is more reserved for the united, American, usair's of the world.
But it's also not lost that swa does have the money for cleaners they need bc we don't waste it on cleaners we don't - it's also why they have money to keep paying us when all our other peers are still fighting to get theirs back.

Like I said, I'm wired this way anyway and have a hard time staying still- and it's ok if you think different. I do get what you're saying.

 

[boeingdriver213]

On the very first day of training, one of the first things we are told here is that Southwest is a "CUSTOMER SERVICE COMPANY". We just happen to do it with 737s. That is continually reinforced here.. Most of us get it. My first month on the line here, after 16 years with other airlines, thinking I knew this job, I remember thinking to myself, "I'm not sure I can keep this pace up". Once your day starts, you move, and you keep on moving til your day is done. I'm OK with that because I like what I do, especially considering the alternatives. The up side to this intense working day is, our overnights are generally longer than most other domestic airlines schedules. Over all, it's a good place to be. It's not perfect, but it's closer than just about any other airline job around these parts.

 

[flynvixen]

Southwest's BS is the same as any other airline...they just dress it up as "family Values" better than any other airline. In the end they are all just drinking the kool aid.

Super tools like you don't like SWA because you are drunk on the ALPA burn the house down kool aid

staple staple

 

[On Your Six]

If I'm late to the airplane (connections, etc), no the secretary won't. The Captain will, though. He'll probably have all my preflight done also. As I slide into my seat with 137 pax already on board,he'll give me a "take your time but I think I got most of it done." A couple minutes later we push.

One thing I didn't mention in my previous post on the SWA culture was the amazing pay, QOL, benefits, etc. etc. etc. that come with rolling up your sleeves and doing whatever it takes to make things happen.

Obviously some on here feel entitled to a higher sense of nobility. That's fine, SWA aint the place. Keep your attitude and your "that's not my job views"--it's good for my career stability.

You have got to be kidding me! SWA seems to be the place alright. Just read the posts about your upcoming SLI from some of the SWA guys on here. You must be talking about them. Btw, is Houston the ugliest base?


OYS

 

[Tripower455]

Stay classy El Paso! You guys are so rich and awesome. It's so good you're not full of yourselves. Cool.


OYS

Maybe, someday, if you don't completely alienate every real pilot out there with your complete and incessant BS, you might actually get an airline job.

But have an out, because I don't think you can hack flying a real airplane.

Now, go back to MS Flight sim. The adults are talking.

 

[Music]

I don't know what to make of the 'culture'.

Just recently I was on the hotel van with three Southwest crews. No one choose to speak, it was the quietest (most awkward) ride to the hotel I've been on. While this by itself is probably nothing, when we can't even speak to each other, I wonder how we got here. None of us had anything to do with this situation we're now in, yet for some, I can't help believe that they look at us (AirTran) and feel we screwed up the good thing they had going. Unfortunate.

To those here that care, I absolutely and wholeheartedly understand the great airline that you've contributed to and help build. The 'culture' is something to admired in this (or any other) industry. I can say without question, that 99.9 percent of us want to jump in and paddle in the same direction.

Communication is the key. When that breaks down, I truly do fear for the 'culture'.

 

[flynvixen]

I can assure you, I'm not the General . LOL . I've been on FI for quite a while and tend to pop a beer, kick back and get entertained. I do not post unless I feel strong about a topic or really want information. Actually I am amazed that no one has yet called me names nor got personal for my critique. Guess there are more guys on here which can have a rational debate without getting personal than I thought. Compliments. And I can assure you, I am not a swa hater either. Just disgusted with the overall state of our profession. So please don't credit the General with what's not his.

Well let me be the first to call you out.

Do you pay your more for the goods and services you get just because you think it would be nice to pay more than you should.......I bet you don't. When you are spending your own money I bet you try and get everything for the best (lowest ) price you can......so don't fault the company's for doing the same tool boy. The company's not there to provide benefits to as many people as possible,.......hello they are there to provide a service the people will pay for and still provide a profit to the stockholders and the BOD............but I bet you are a product of the American public school system.......you know the one that shuns capitalism and promotes communism and social and economic justice you know like Castro, Che and Mao

If you are so tired of your profession being nickle and dimed than maybe you should stop worshiping groups like ALPA that demand company's hire more pilots than is really needed or the other job killing unions that force airlines to hire more cleaning staff, Flight Attendants, mechs ect..... I think you get my point.

All airline pilots did for years leading up to 9-11 was demand for money for less. Pilots like you have elevated our profession to that of a baseball player.......you know well paid guys doing a job they love but demanding more money for doing nothing.......then going on strike when they don't get the max pay for sitting home running the yogurt shop. Then you don't understand when the traveling public has no sympathy for you or your cause........You just don't get it tool boy.......you are the hired help and are so easy to replace.......remember this cry baby.....never be more trouble than you are worth.

So you sit in the cockpit with your thumb up you -$$ watching others work and just keep thinking your better than the ones working hard and remember how great it was while you are standing in the unemployment line.

It's tools like you that give us all a bad name......please give your seat to a pilot that wants to fly and will help make the company a success.

I am really surprised you dont work for the government, they embrace your kind of laziness and elitist thinking.

Staple Staple

















Staple Staple

 

[flynvixen]

I don't know what to make of the 'culture'.

Just recently I was on the hotel van with three Southwest crews. No one choose to speak, it was the quietest (most awkward) ride to the hotel I've been on. While this by itself is probably nothing, when we can't even speak to each other, I wonder how we got here. None of us had anything to do with this situation we're now in, yet for some, I can't help believe that they look at us (AirTran) and feel we screwed up the good thing they had going. Unfortunate.

To those here that care, I absolutely and wholeheartedly understand the great airline that you've contributed to and help build. The 'culture' is something to admired in this (or any other) industry. I can say without question, that 99.9 percent of us want to jump in and paddle in the same direction.

Communication is the key. When that breaks down, I truly do fear for the 'culture'.

It's tough to act like everything is great and buy the key lime pie knowing that AT ALPA is doing all they can to take more than is coming to you guys. Take the money, take the contract, better career expectations and all the other stuff you got without lifting one finger, but take the staple so we can get something positive out of this deal. We look forward to a bigger stronger company but not if our seniority suffers.

Staple Staple