August SWA Classes ???

[Slug]

Okay, I know we haven't even got the July class finalized and started yet, but I was wondering what the rumors are for classes in August. I had heard from a friend that a Chief Pilot was saying 2 classes in August. Other sources say similar things, but until they are official I will be looking for good rumors at every opportunity. Any of you current employee number holders have any insight? Since I have little else to do with my time right now, posting to this website is my "employment". Anyway, Happy 5th, Peace and Love.

Slug

 

[tredding@swa]

Senority #?

Gee Slug.... haven't even started class yet and your wondering how soon you are going to have bodies under you on the senority list!?!?!?

Must be nice to be in such a GREAT place.... #15, wow! wish I were up that high, whenever they get around to updating the SWAPoolie list, looks as if I'll be around 80.

Have a great day! Have FUN in DAL, hope to see you fluin' the line soon - KB

 

[Slug]

Boredom has set in

Fear, Sarcasm, Ridicule...the best teaching tools of an IP.

Its not that I'm looking for seniority....its just the boredom thing setting in. Unfortunately I'm not as motivated as some of these other furloughed folks who have been energetic and gone out and found other jobs. Oh, I have found other "domestic" jobs to keep me busy, but I can only strip so much wallpaper, fold so much laundry, paint so many walls before I go crazy. I guess I'm just jealous of all the 15 July folks going to Dallas. Additionally, with the high-speed internet I end up checking this board about once every four hours, so I do feel the need to participate. Next week its back to the grind in DelRio so I've got to get all my flightinfo.comming in this week. Gotta go coach Little League baseball; later,

Slug

 

[tredding@swa]

yea, bandwidth RULES!!

boredom... don't have time for such silly things... nice to be flying - AND getting paid for it -

TOTAL agreement on the waiting game..... trying no to think about it does NOT work.... it raises it's ungly head and keeps reminding you - "hey, I'm still here... you still have not been called for a class date... you can run - but you can't HIDE!!"

Have a great weekend... off to PDX, CRQ, HOU, PHX, MDW, PHX & CRQ for me, then 7 days off!!!

Catch you all in a few days - KB

 

[bluesideup1]

KB- do you work out of Carlsbad? If you do where? I still have friends from that place working there and I wanted to see if you knew any of them.

 

[tredding@swa]

Bluesideup,

Nope not based in CRQ. Just pass thru there quite often... live in the PHX area. I have met quite a few folks there however, we may know some of the same people??

 

[Slug]

SWA 727

Hey Jimbo, thanks for the encouragement.

Picture of SWA 727 came from www.airliners.net
Its a very good website for finding pictures of almost any airline/plane in the world. Some have descriptions or discussions. Very good search algorithms (sp?)

In the early days SWA had some other models.

Slug

p.s. Franklin Heat is 1-0 in tournament play!

 

[chase]

Approximate numbers for this year

The numbers I've heard from reliable sources at THIS POINT is SWA will add about a total of 250+ pilots for the entire '02 year. This includes whatever we have added so far this year. I know others have done the numbers to determine "precisely" (relative term on any website talking about rumors) what this equates to. Here are some reasons the company probably won't announce anymore "hard" classes for awhile.

1. Lots of contracts coming up & projected costs to the company on these are hard to project. Pilots, Mechanics (yes they are slowing things down at times IMHO to put pressure on the company), FAs. Until these items get resolved the company is going to be conservative in adding pilots. FAs/SWA talks are moving slowly & talk is FAs will hopefully use the holidays as leverage to get what they want. You don't want extra pilots floating around if there are going to be slowdowns.

2. June numbers shows folks are coming back but still not at last year's pace. On top of that the yields are still weak due to low pricing & programs to encourage folks to come back (Friends fly Free program).

3. New classes will only be announced with 2-3 weeks notice simply because this allows the company to be extremely flexible in handling new costs.

4. Uncertainity in the economy & flyers. Things are coming back slower than before, the other carriers are still struggling & will continue to struggle for sometime....market opportunities will continue to be there.

5. Readers/folks looking for jobs with SWA view 2-4 months as a long time. The company has the capability to either respond very quickly (because of great capital assets & vision) or slowly if necessary. SWA has had the patience & vision to lay a longterm roadmap out there to follow but isn't afraid to jink quickly if the opportunity presents itself. Whether the opportunity is there is the question. Each method can be advantageous depending on the situation. Only the former is good for a pilot looking for a job. The latter makes us all in to domestic gods!

I wish I could be more optimsitic & say there were new classes for Aug already scheduled (there may well be some in a strategic visions somewhere but it won't come out until just prior to the classes) but I can't. But what I can honestly say is SWA will continue to aggressively grow at a rate that the companies feels is in the long term interest of the company & its employees.

Hope you had a great 4th, God Bless

 

[b747dogg]

Take any flying job you can get. Staying current is most important in aviation. It's easy to find a job when you have one. Don't worry about taking a job because you'll give it right back to some other needed soul when SWA calls. Just my two cents. Good luck. Have fun.

 

[Maynard]

YA Have to plan on the worst...

I was in the school house last week, and the Dir. of Training spoke to our class. He said the following...
1. A July 15th class of new-hires (20).
2. Maybe a class in late August, maybe not.
3. That could be it for the year.
4. 40+ reserves coming back from fighting the Taliban.
5. Net of 5 aircraft next year could result in only 4 or 5 new classes next year.
I know, it sounds bad, but I am sure that that it is the worst case scenario. If I were in the pool, and had a chance fly somewhere else temporarily, I would do it. Hopefully things will change and we'll have 15 classes this year...

 

[qxeplt]

WWWHHHAAATTT???

What happened to the rumors of the two solid classes in Aug? Oh no, I thought we were starting to get going down the list pretty good. I guess they call when they call, just hard to wait and wait and wait.

Glad to be in the pool though, no doubt about that...

 

[bigred]

Some things to consider

I have to raise the flag on what the Dir of Training said. You have to remember we have a contract extention under consideration. It is in the company's interest to make things look as bleak as possible. Their line of reasoning goes some thing like this; "Well guys, things are pretty bad right now, we may not have a lot of new hires next year, we're only going to add five planes, you should take anything you can get right now."
Here are some things to consider. The Department of Transportation expects airtravel to increase 14% in 2003. Jim Parker, our CEO, has said he expects Soutwest to return to near normal growth in 2003, which is historically around 8%. That equals 320 pilots, or 28 planes. Gary Kelley, our CFO, has stated we have orders for 14 planes next year, but with the opportunities existing on the market we may acquire more. Herb Kellerher, who needs no introduction, when given the standard question at the annual shareholder's meeting about growth into Hawaii, Canada, or Mexico, said there are too many luscious(sp) opportunities in the lower 48 right now. And let's not forget, we're making money right now. I see no difference in the loads now and the loads last summer. I know the yields are down, but the economy is turning around and we don't need to raise our yields much to make money hand over fist.
Hope this helps.

 

[Maynard]

Cool...

I sure hope you are right, and all that comes true...

 

[JPB]

I think that the request for updates from the top 100 in the pool is a solid sign.
Why update after 6 months if there is no classes for another 6 months? hum?
Let s have some PO Attitude.

 

[Texan]

Background Update

I got an update package about four weeks ago and sent it in. It has been processed. I dont think I am in the top 100 in the pool either. ( If our list has any truth to it .) Any one else in the deep end get this? Thats enough to make me think positive anyway. Congrats to all in July 15 CLASS!!!!!!!!!

 

[OPIE01]

Texan are you really #190 on the list

Texan are you really #190 on the list?

And you have already recieved an update package?

Has anyone else that Interviewed in JAN - FEB recieved an update package?

I sitting over here fat and dumb in the desert wondering what kind of mail is piling up back in the states for me that I was supposed to have filled out.

 

[firstthird]

jan type

I was a Sept interview but a Jan type and I got an update package about 2 weeks ago also. Currently 123 on the 5 July list, our list not the SWA list. Lord knows where I am on that one. I did not get any kind of Fedex request or any special handling about the Texas NDR form although there was one in there that I had notarized and all that.

Firstthird

p.s. I had thought I was 115 on the list, but it keeps getting bigger and I keep moving further down it seems, better last on the list than first in line for the next interview though.

 

[Texan]

The List?

OPIE01

I guess I am 190 on our list if it has all ligit people on it. I got the whole package and US Investigations called my previous employer. I did the NDR thing and already recieved copys of the stuff the FAA sends them. I interviewed Jan. and typed in May. So I know I have to be way back there. Call Jan at the PD to see if she sent you one. Hope you make it out of the Desert soon.

 

[Captemb]

I was sitting here reading all the posts and about to take out the regulator and go ahead and let myself drown. It's along way down to the bottom here.

I interviewed in Jan typed in April. I also got an update package and I believe that it has already been finished. I agree, why spend the money if they are going to have to do the same thing again if they don't put us in a class.

I am so confused. Just like the rest of the pilots that I know, I just don't have the big picture!

Captemb

 

[CoopDog]

LIFEGUARD......

Where's Hassellhoff when you need him anyway?

The water's full of MUD: Mass-confusion, Uncertainty, and Doubt.

What do you say we go ahead and clean up the place!