SWA to keep 717s around after all!!

[malibuVride]

According to one of our MC guys in the lounge the other day, SWA has no plans, nor have they really even discussed plans to dump off the 717s. This seems to be reaffirmed by the MEC update and Transition bid link as well.

This is great news for many of us! I will gladly take capt on the 717 and wait for Jan 1, 2015, for a nice big raise!!

Some good news after almost a year of nastiness.

 

[Fubijaakr]

Personally, I'd be bidding over to the Blue side ASAP. Plans (or non-plans) change in a nanosecond in this business. Don't get stuck on a jet that could go extinct with little or no notice. 2015 is a LONG time away in the airlines.

 

[ASADFW7]

I hope this thread makes you feel better about yourself. None of us knows what SWA management is going to do.

 

[GuppyWN]

When does the bid close?

Gup

 

[MILF Hunter]

My buddy ovrer there said the bid will be open for one month. So I guess that means it closes on Dec 15 or 16. He's an 11 yr 737 Captain and thinks he's going to bid 717 Captain. He's definitely looking at the dollar signs in the not to distant future.

As far as the 717s going away...that was probably just tossed around to create fear throughout the negotiations. (I kinda believed it, and I'm most likely guilty of adding fuel to the fire on that one.)

 

[Fubijaakr]

Just a WAG, but I'd say the economics of a two aircraft fleet will dictate how fast they go. Especially if there are engine issues...

 

[bluebound]

Let's take a moment to look at the facts concerning the 717. Are there plans to move the sims to DAL? No! Are there plans to send the 717 to the paint shop? No! Are the 717 on the same pay scale as the 737? No!
Now I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed, but I would take the time to rationally think this through before I submit my vacancy bid.

 

[SKC]

Let's take a moment to look at the facts concerning the 717. Are there plans to move the sims to DAL? No! Are there plans to send the 717 to the paint shop? No! Are the 717 on the same pay scale as the 737? No!
Now I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed, but I would take the time to rationally think this through before I submit my vacancy bid.

Actually, to be fair, the 717s ARE on the timeline to transition to SWA. Albeit, they are nearly the last things to do so, but are on it none-the-less.

 

[fam62c]

Just a WAG, but I'd say the economics of a two aircraft fleet will dictate how fast they go. Especially if there are engine issues...

There is no question that one type is much more efficient than two in this case. I would say that SW would like to have the 717's gone yesterday and replaced with NG's but they need the lift and in addition to the 717's they have to replace of a bunch of classic 737's.

The reality is that they will need all their deliveries for years to just replace airplanes. Unless something changes that would allow a bunch of NG's to become available quickly I think the 717's stay for years. Not only that, if something happened with another airline in Denver and SW suddenly needed some additional airframes to take advantage of some opportunities where would they get them? There are some 717's sitting around that Boeing would LUV to get leased out cheap........if there was no other options and SW needed planes fast......I'm just saying. SW's future at this point is somewhat limited by Boeing's 737 production capability, the 737's are still selling like hotcakes.

Does anybody know what the SW 737 delivery schedule looks like including the AT delivery positions for the next few years? Can they increase it?

 

[pilotgolfer]

Let's take a moment to look at the facts concerning the 717. Are there plans to move the sims to DAL? No! Are there plans to send the 717 to the paint shop? No! Are the 717 on the same pay scale as the 737? No!
Now I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed, but I would take the time to rationally think this through before I submit my vacancy bid.

So you do admit that you are a tool? :laugh:

Just kidding, of course!