I'd expect the 717 gone sooner than later. That said, they can't man all those 737s that are coming without the AAI pilots. SWA can't hire and train that fast. No one can.
Again. Vizzini, truly, you have a dizzying intellect.
I doubt that any of SWA's plans call for taking AAI's 737s without the pilots. The legal ramifications are too great.
But for the sake of yucks, put pen to paper.
Total number of current SWA aircraft.
Total number of SWA pilots.
Total number of additional anticipated aircraft and how many additional pilots would be needed to man those airframes.
Amount of time required to reconfigure new aircraft to SWA style seating.
The amount of time to train a SWA CA from FO.
The amount of time to train a SWA FO from off the street.
The abilitiy for the pilot population to pick up trips due to block hour surges.
Winter block hour reductions and maximum training events that could be accomplished without negative impact on SWA's schedule.
Here's a start: Southwest has 550 737s. AirTran has 52 737s.
If anyone ever wonders why management doesn't respect most pilots' opinions, there's no need to read any further.