April SWA Class Dates?

[MSquared]

I've heard rumblings of one, maybe two training classes in April. Anyone know dates?

 

[commode Air]

I heard basically the same thing. Also heard if they do have one in April I heard it will start on the 6th, but basically all speculation right now. Nothing has been confirmed or announced yet. Least of what I know. Are you waiting for the april class. If yes, when did you interview?

 

[MSquared]

Well, thats what the birdie told me. Early April was the indication but no confirmation. I interviewed on the 22nd of Sept. If its true, it must be the 6th or the 13th.

Words?

 

[canyonblue737]

I have heard 1 class in March (on the 9th) of 16 and 1 in April (on the 13th) of 24. Then it should pick back up I would assume because they need 380-430 or so new hires for the year.

 

[MSquared]

Thanks commode and Cblue737. Maybe there will be more thread on this next week.

MSquared...Out

 

[combatking]

Chase mentioned there is a second class penciled in for March in his 26 Feb post. Hope he is right.

SWA Happenings (Pass the time before Mar DB)

 

[chase]

Combat,

Not to dispel rumors (that wouldn't be fun on a rumor board) but I know of folks who have been called for the early March class....I haven't heard of any for the 2nd class that I spoke of...until folks are called with a firm class date, particularly with the current situation at SWA is rather fluid....sooooooo don't sell the house, ship the kids off to the parents or book flights based on anything found on here I suspect the classes will dwindle to 1 a month only because the flow of aircraft have slowed down.

The union and the company work very closely together to attempt to make sure that too many pilots aren't just lying around....this makes hiccups in the amount of open time, extra flying and the bottom line, money to the pilots is impacted......SWA only keeps 8% of its pilots on reserve, much lower than most airlines....the reserves usually fly many hours & not unusual to be over the cap when it comes to monthly flying totals. If we bring in too many pilots then the reserves & others will find themselves not getting the calls for the flying they & they're checkbooks have come accustomed too...that brings many phone calls to the scheduling folks at the union very quickly...the balance is not a precise science so my guess right now is there is a glut of new hires & Southwest will slow that down to a trickle to allow the system to even out somewhat....otherwise they will get calls from "greedy pilots" like me who say, "where's my open time flying?"....now that may sound foolish or unreasonable to the folks wishing to come on the property but that's the system we have....also remember the company has asked pilots to average 70 hrs per month flying, about 5 more than we currently average....we can't gain that efficiency (greediness does have an impact on our bottom line which is very good....fewer employees saves Southwest $$$$s) if we have folks sitting around not flying, including reserve folks.

With the longer perspective that one would have I hope this makes sense froma business standpoint and from a precedence standpoint...it is the way we've always done business (eye on the bottom line) & the way I hope we continue to do business. Good luck and hopefully Southwest will find some extra airplanes out there somewhere!!!! If you know of any call GK at Southwest, he'd be happy to get the info!!!

 

[commode Air]

MSaquared,

I interviewed on the 23 of September and we had 5 people get hired. How many people got hired out of your group? Also do you know how many people that interviewed on the 21 went to class. Just wondering if all of them did or some of them will be in the April class. THANKS

 

[Yahtzee]

Welcome aboard all you new folks and congrats to those now in the pool.

To piggyback Chase's comments about Reserves...here my recent experience. Reserve Assignments are 15 Days of Reserve each month.

I've being sitting Reserve in BWI since October, and have been used like this:

Aug: IOE and Hard Line
Sept: Hard Line in Oak
Oct: Used 10 out of 11 days
Nov: Used 10 out of 11 days
Dec: Used 10 out of 11 days
Jan: Used 10 out of 11 days
Feb: Used 7 out of 8 days (mil leave for two weeks)
Mar: First month not on Reserve
Apr: Expecting to go back on reserve due to the push in MDW

I also do USAFR stuff on the side, which takes seven to nine days per month, hence only 11 days of reserve for most months. When using mil leave, this will normally drop one four day block (either reserve or a scheduled trip) In Feb I dropped two blocks of reserve...not normal.

For those of you recently receiving unwanted news via the USPS, please know there are a lot of people thinking about you and your families. Best Wishes and hopefully we'll get more jets this year, continue to grow and get you interviewed again.

Yahtz

 

[chase]

Thread creep...sorry

Another way to use technology to get folks in the seats. Hopefully the "ding" will ring on a few computers & get some folks some good low prices....ditto to what Yahtzee said...letters are indeed bummers but certainly don't knock you out for good...we have many folks who have come back to ask the girl out the 2nd time (up to 4 times) & she has said yes the next time....when one looks back after 5-10 years of this the initial disappointment will pale in comparison to the enjoyment you've had in those subsequent years....hang in there!!!

Southwest software to issue sales alerts


[size=-1]07:44 AM CST on Monday, February 28, 2005 [/size]

[size=-1]By ERIC TORBENSON / The Dallas Morning News [/size]

Southwest Airlines Co. plans to launch a new computer tool today to give fliers the chance to buy the carrier's "Blue Light Special."

Starting today at www.southwest.com, customers can download software that lets Southwest send signals to individual computers telling users that a low fare – the lowest the carrier offers through any sales channel – is available right now.

Computer users will know because their machines will make the "Ding" noise from the colorful carrier's television advertisements.

"We wanted to do something to get the fresh smell of a hot sale out to consumers – sort of like what grocery stores do with fresh loaves of French bread," said Linda Rutherford, spokeswoman for the Dallas-based low-fare carrier.

The program installs a small icon in the shape and color of a Southwest airplane tail in the lower right hand corner of most computers. The carrier is quick to point out that the new program isn't "spyware" or any sort of security invasion.

With the "ding" icon installed and an active Internet connection, users will be able to get access to fares that are in some cases even lower than Southwest's "Click 'n' Save" fares that are e-mailed to many customers, Ms. Rutherford said. Sales could last just a few hours in some cases.

"It allows us to target our sales very narrowly, or if a lot of people download this we'll be able to do sales very broadly," she said.

The software program is free, and Southwest believes it's the first carrier to try this sales tactic, she said. "It's very revolutionary."

 

[Skyrunner]

Mucho Grande thread creep

Howdy,

LUV folks, got a few questions if you got the time.

1. Shoes: What type and style is acceptable?

2. Luggage: I'm clueless here, need help.

3. Trans to training: Drive from Denver or just get a ticket? I have a vehicle that gets 47 mpg so it's not that bad on gas.

4. Commuting: Any rules (official or unofficial) that you follow? There could be a disertation on this one.

5. Any other advice for a airline newbie would help.

Gracias. Ya'll take care and fly safe,

CB

 

[Yahtzee]

CB,

Congrats on finally getting the call. Well deserved!

Do yourself a favor and drive to Dallas. You will want wheels while your there...especially on weekends, and during the sim phase.

Here are some links and things you might want to consider either before you get to Dallas or soon after starting class.

1) www.fmcguide.com/books.html#fug

Look for the 737SW COCKPIT COMPANION (300-500-700 Southwest version) Great book to summarize systems. Easier to read than the Flight Reference Manauls (FRMs) Caveat: the company issued FRMs take precedence over this book.

2) www.scottleather.com/ For leather Pubs Bags The offer airline discounts, or military if you're not at an airline.

I have the 8" version Jumbo Flight Kit and like it. It fits fine in the 300/500. The extra room is nice.

3) www.luggageworksonline.com/ For Overnight Bags

Lots of options here as pilots use a lot of different bags from various companies...the ones from Luggageworksonline.com are popular but very heavy compared to some of the other ones. DON'T FEEL COMPELLED TO BUY THIS STUFF BEFORE YOU GET TO DALLAS as a marketing rep from various companies will come to the Training Center every week. You'll get a chance to look at bags from Scott's Leather, Luggageworksonline, etc in the break room. You'll have plenty of time to order overnight bags if you don't already have a good one when you get to Dallas. IMHO having the pubs bag is nice starting on day one. They give you a lot of stuff early and you will be moving from one classroom to another every few days or so.

For the overnight bags, the 103NG Model Bag is 14" wide but the company can make a version without the side pockets which tend to snag on 300/500s. I have the 14" version w/ the side pockets but I leave the sides empty and the bag fits ok in a 300/500. I have to grab the bottom of it after reaching over the small jumpseat behind the Capt's Side to pull it into the storage area. (Easily done, but I plan to get the pockets remove and use a loaner bag from my brother in the meantime.)

The 102 NG version is only 13" and fits nicer in the 300/500s, but several of my friends mention the zippers have broken on their bags. Unlike the 14" version, the zippers are on the edge of the bag, which tend to take some damage. These bags fit in 300/500 without any extra effort.

My advice: Call Luggageworksonline 1-800-722-1793 Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm CST and get the 14" version without the side pockets. This bag is not advertised, but is for sale.

Costco sells a bag with a lifetime warranty for $89. Samsonite also has a bag with a hard case on one side. www.ebags.com

4) http://landerwoodshirts.com/ The style #700 are tapered) These shirts run slightly large in my opinion...i.e., order your true size or even consider ordering a 1/2 size smaller

5) www.pilotshirts.com/ (Tapered Oxford Flap Short sleeve Style Code: TOFS) These shirts seem to run smaller therefore order a 1/2 size bigger (They even mention this on their website....see FAQs)

http://www.pilotshirts.com/store/prodinfo.asp?number=TOFS&variation=&aitem=1&mitem=6

6) www.marvgolden.com Various Pilot Supplies
7) www.crewoutfitters.com Various Pilot Supplies
8) www.crewgear.com Various Pilot Supplies

Not that you need to think about this just yet, but SWA requires you to purchase three pairs of pants and the Navy blue jacket from Cintas. You can get your shirts from any vendor. You'll need shirts prior to starting your IOE. The shirts can't have button down collars, or holes (for wings I assume). You can buy ties from the Training Center and at the crew bases (even the Dallas pilot base).

Shoes
From the Flight Operations Manual:
• Shoes will be plain toed, black, shined, well heeled, and soled.

• Athletic shoes, moccasins, deck shoes, sandals, wing tips, cowboy boots,and shoes with tassels or other ornamentation are not authorized. ​

• Low heeled, plain and round toed boots are authorized. (Hence many Ropers)
• The stitching normally found on loafers or slip-ons is considered plain toe.
• Female Pilots are also authorized to wear a medium pump in black or navy blue.

Recommend something comfortable which are "airport friendly"...ones that you don't have to take off for the TSA. Buy your shoes/boots in Dallas...lots of options. I have ECCOs. or try www.zappos.com

Headsets
Headsets vs the molded earpiece: I have both, the earpiece feels like something that doesn't belong in my ear. Tried it for about a month. Just didn't like it so I ordered a noise canceling Sennheiser HMEC 45-KAS (Stereo). This works much better for me.

Check out a headset from the crew base coordinators, and try it for free. Telex 850, or Sennheiser (two different models)

Wait until after you IOE and then try different headseats. I have the Sennheiser HMEC 45-KAS-Stereo ANR and use the earpads from the HMEC-25 (about $11 per pair)

Commuting
Either online (SWA) or off-line (another carrier), you must have two flights that allow you to report (check-in) one hour prior to scheduled push. This applies even if you are picking up open time for trips that aren't original parings . i.e, you are picking up a trip out of HOU, that deadheads you to New Orleans, you must still allow for two flights to HOU that arrive one hour prior to scheduled push...even if you are DHing to MSY.


Hope this rambling helps,

Yahtz

​

 

[canyonblue737]

Yahtz has everything right on the mark. I STRONGLY recommend driving to training because you will be there 6 weeks and the hotel while EXCELLENT is in the middle of nowhere, so if you need a run for dinner OUTSIDE of the hotel once and a while, or to go to the grocery store, or to go to Starbucks etc. Driving is very, very worth it IMHO.

 

[Skyrunner]

Merci Beaucoue!!!!!

Holy Snikees,

Thanks Yatz et al. Yeah, it's been a long wait but a somewhat fun one. Bummin' (real bummin', not activation) is an adventure. Kim at the PD said our interview group should be in class somewhere around Jun or Jul. Just a guesstimate.

Ya'll take care and hope to see you in Dallas sometime.

CB

 

[psysicx]

Skyrunner how long have you been bumming?And what kind of hours did you have after UPT?

 

[Skyrunner]

psychicx,

I guess I've been bummin about 2.5 years. After UPT the average Herk bubba/bubbette will probably get around 300 to 500 hours a year. 300 in a slow year and 500 min during a heavy year. With all the C-130 deployments going on right now, 500 is a very realistic minimum right now. Just a guesstimate.

Adios,

CB