SWA Classes

[outerlimits]

The first one is supposed to be next month.

By chance do you know if the classes will have pilots off the street, or will it be just AT pilots ?

 

[PCL_128]

By chance do you know if the classes will have pilots off the street, or will it be just AT pilots ?

The guys on the SWA side of the partition would know that better than me. I think new hire classes are running, but they're probably separate from the AirTran guys transitioning. Don't know for sure, though.

 

[redflyer65]

I think PCL is right. I believe the Airtran guys will have an abreviated transistion course, and the new hire class will have the full deal. I wouldn't think they would be combined.

 

[ASADFW7]

I hope the AirTran Pilots can bring their significant others to be a part of the first day like the Southwest new hires. It was a great experience to be shared.

 

[Lear70]

AT keeping 32 737s until end of 2014 for intl flights...???

The transition "must" be completed by JAN 2015...that means crews and airplanes...if AAI is keepiing the 32 737's (I assume for INT'L ops) until late 2014, the transition will not be completed as agreed...that IS news if true...do you have a source/explanation?

True story, for the most part, although not "the end" of 2014, but certainly not going to be done in March 2014 as previously-planned. Rather, in all likelihood, right up to the last minute in 2014.

The aircraft transition schedule has changed dramatically from what it was when we signed the SLI. There will be 19 or so 737's converted this year, then very few (if any) 737's for 2013. Instead, they will be converting most of the remaining 737's at AirTran to Raft and HF overwater aircraft and increasing the international flying on the AirTran side of the house.

In the meantime, in 2013, most of the 717's will come over with crews.

In early 2014, hopefully the reservation system will be up and running, all the SWA crews will be overwater certified (and hopefully ETOPS certified), the Hawaii flying will begin, and our international 737's will start transitioning over with crews to be completed end of 3rd Qrtr or into the 4th Qrtr 2014.

All subject to change... again... like everything else.

 

[flybynav1965]

I hope the AirTran Pilots can bring their significant others to be a part of the first day like the Southwest new hires. It was a great experience to be shared.

Agreed. If you get a chance to bring your spouse, do. It was well worth it, and they learned a lot about the company, benefits, schedules, etc.

cheers,
NAV

 

[PCL_128]

I hope the AirTran Pilots can bring their significant others to be a part of the first day like the Southwest new hires. It was a great experience to be shared.

I've heard that they do plan to allow that.

 

[PropPiedmont]

I hope the AT pilots participate in the appreciation of becoming SWA pilots and continue the practice of donating to charitable causes in Southwest's name.

 

[717capt]

http://www.blogsouthwest.com/blog/airtran-pilots-rally-support-ronald-mcdonald-house-charities

 

[Captain Fulough]

Awesome job with the RMH charity. :beer:

 

[outerlimits]

I hope the AT pilots participate in the appreciation of becoming SWA pilots and continue the practice of donating to charitable causes in Southwest's name.

Would please elaborate on this to some that may not know what you are talking about?
Maybe an example of two.

 

[Ky.BrownBourbn]

Each new hire class takes up a collection and makes a donation to a charity in Southwest's name usually in Herb's honor. The RMH (Ronald McDonald House) in Dallas is often used (That's Herb's favorite charity as evidence of the 3 vans that SWAPA pilots just bought for them in Herb's honor) but have also seen lots of the checks with "Wounded Warrior" and "Fisher House" on them. The class presents the "Big Check" to Herb or Gary or Collen depending when you were hired and to whom was there. The "BIG CHECKS" are all hanging in the Training center were the "Slide door trainer" is located. Generally the donation is for $737.xx ($737 is obvious and the change is usually something significant to the class like class #1 for the year would be .01. There are checks for higher amounts there...I think the first class in 2000 had one up there for $2000.01 but It may have been for a different year.

This place is different, you'll see...Deck parties start up in the spring, Make sure you attend those when you're there in training. Hangar Party I believe is in June. CEO will actually speak to you and doesn't have bodyguards with him when he travels. Someone generally comes to recurrent ground school to speak to classes, either VP's or Flight Ops. higher ups.

Would be nice to see one up there with $717.01...We'll see!

The "Big checks" are made by a local sign shop in Dallas. Glo will help anyone with the needed info. You will become very familiar with Glo while in training!

Later,
KBB

 

[outerlimits]

Each new hire class takes up a collection and makes a donation to a charity in Southwest's name usually in Herb's honor. The RMH (Ronald McDonald House) in Dallas is often used (That's Herb's favorite charity as evidence of the 3 vans that SWAPA pilots just bought for them in Herb's honor) but have also seen lots of the checks with "Wounded Warrior" and "Fisher House" on them. The class presents the "Big Check" to Herb or Gary or Collen depending when you were hired and to whom was there. The "BIG CHECKS" are all hanging in the Training center were the "Slide door trainer" is located. Generally the donation is for $737.xx ($737 is obvious and the change is usually something significant to the class like class #1 for the year would be .01. There are checks for higher amounts there...I think the first class in 2000 had one up there for $2000.01 but It may have been for a different year.

This place is different, you'll see...Deck parties start up in the spring, Make sure you attend those when you're there in training. Hangar Party I believe is in June. CEO will actually speak to you and doesn't have bodyguards with him when he travels. Someone generally comes to recurrent ground school to speak to classes, either VP's or Flight Ops. higher ups.

Would be nice to see one up there with $717.01...We'll see!

The "Big checks" are made by a local sign shop in Dallas. Glo will help anyone with the needed info. You will become very familiar with Glo while in training!

Later,
KBB

Wow , does every class doing something nice? I guess the SWA pilots start from day one doing good deeds for others . Now I see why they help with wheel chairs and other
Passenger issues. I guess it is not all
About me me me...poke poke poke

 

[Linedriver]

True story, for the most part, although not "the end" of 2014, but certainly not going to be done in March 2014 as previously-planned. Rather, in all likelihood, right up to the last minute in 2014.

The aircraft transition schedule has changed dramatically from what it was when we signed the SLI. There will be 19 or so 737's converted this year, then very few (if any) 737's for 2013. Instead, they will be converting most of the remaining 737's at AirTran to Raft and HF overwater aircraft and increasing the international flying on the AirTran side of the house.

In the meantime, in 2013, most of the 717's will come over with crews.

In early 2014, hopefully the reservation system will be up and running, all the SWA crews will be overwater certified (and hopefully ETOPS certified), the Hawaii flying will begin, and our international 737's will start transitioning over with crews to be completed end of 3rd Qrtr or into the 4th Qrtr 2014.

All subject to change... again... like everything else.

So what's the word on future growth? Flat possibly for a year or two and growth to pick up by 2014? What's the word?

 

[humveedriver]

Is SWA publishing the transition awards for you guys? I always get asked on my commutes what the seniority is for the guys coming in 2012. It's relatively senior, from our list but includes both FO's and CA's, so it's not ALL the top seniority guys and gals. I think SWA / SWAPA should publish that info for you guys.

 

[FCPhotography]

Anyone know what competitive is for just getting an interview? I have had my stuff in since Oct and not even a peep!

Most civilian guys had over 8,500 total this past summer with 4,000-5,000 turbine PIC or more. 99% have type rating. It seems that everyone in class had 8-15 years of experience. The regional CA's were regional CA's for 5-6 years minimum. Corporate pilots had 8-15 years experience as well.

Classes are usually 50/50 military, civilian. Ages 30 to early 50's.

 

[RogerMOSA]

Most civilian guys had over 8,500 total this past summer with 4,000-5,000 turbine PIC or more. 99% have type rating. It seems that everyone in class had 8-15 years of experience. The regional CA's were regional CA's for 5-6 years minimum. Corporate pilots had 8-15 years experience as well.

Classes are usually 50/50 military, civilian. Ages 30 to early 50's.

Our forums just had a post of a recent class breakdown of...

18 AirForce
1 Navy
1 Civilian

You take it from there.....

 

[Whaler]

Our forums just had a post of a recent class breakdown of...

18 AirForce
1 Navy
1 Civilian

You take it from there.....

Sounds about right - we called our Seaman "Token"

 

[Lear70]

So what's the word on future growth? Flat possibly for a year or two and growth to pick up by 2014? What's the word?

Have no idea, sorry...

I just get copied whenever the schedule changes for aircraft / pilots. Management publishes it to the pilot group on FliCA within a few days of the Association getting it, but I don't expect much to change for 2012.

2013 is still pretty up in the air after April 1st for how the 717's will be transitioned, when they will close MCO versus ATL drawdown, etc.

 

[piepieandbuddy]

Southwest will not be flying to Hawaii anytime in the near future. Not gonna happen.