This was clipped from another site explaining the improvements/changes to the number of days working per month & hours flown while on trips...most of us at SWA don't mind working, in fact we urge the company to make our lines more productive so when we're away from home we are flying the most we legally can in order to be the most productive & to have more time off...productivity is the name of the game.
The article references the fact that without purchasing a single airplane (even though we are purchasing a net of 29 this year), a new scheduling optimizing program has been implemented for the Oct schedule that has resulted in a net gain of an equivalent of 6 new aircraft. It simply means we are able to fly more air miles (6 equivalent jets worth) with the same number of aircraft. Fewer airplanes will be parking at some of the bases resulting in no requirement for a new base this year or maybe next (saving at least $1m...not bad).
These are not whooping gains but to have an average of a little over only 13 days a month in which you have to work to earn the average pay isn't bad. Now folks like me don't ever see that since I fly much more, that is my choice...up to the FAA limits. Once CA comes around though I hope for a change...that point will come around the 5.7 yr point at SWA for me!
________________
Comparing September ’04 to the October test schedule, there are 24 fewer flights in the October 29th test. The aircraft fleet grows by five to 402. This indicates that the routes are more predominantly long haul and hence will be more productive for the company (RASM) and for us in a higher density / greater flight time per day. (fewer flights, more airplanes...short hauls are dropped, long hauls are added)
Early discussions with SWA schedulers say that the test runs are returning greater than 7.22 TFP average density in a weekly schedule. This is extremely encouraging for the pilot group since this is more productive flying and it will help, along with the company meeting the workday targets, in achieving bid line averages in the range everyone remembers. The company is reluctant to release any of the preliminary test runs since the data may change before implementation.
FYI, CPOS (new scheduling optimization implemented by SWA)was in full utilization in Summer 1999 with a reduction in deadheads and increased AC swaps and sit time. Check this out. (The following is the bottom line improvements)
June ’97 we were working 14.07 workdays at 6.97 TFP. Bid line average 97.8 (this is Trips for Pay TFP per month...this figure is multiplied time your "trip rate", obviously it varies depending on your seniority, approximately 55 minutes of flying time to get one's monthly pay ). Average turn time 27 minutes, average swap time 1:28, Duty day 8:41
June ’99 we were working 13.68 workdays at 6.99 TFP. Bid line average 95.6. Average turn time 27 minutes, average swap time 1:22, Duty day 8:39
June ’04 we were working 13.04 workdays at 7.17 TFP. Bid line average 93.5. Average turn time 31 minutes, average swap time 1:11, Duty day 8:37
Shorter days, less swap time, 1.03 less workdays per month for 4.3 less TFP from 97 to now. Pick up an average day at your discretion, 100.67 TFP.
__________
As the writer says, the average for Oct maybe as high as 7.22 so the reduction in TFP maybe even less for a full day's less of work...we'll see. That should provide everyone a slightly better picture of what the averages are here. Reserves still sit about 15 days for a 30 day month, 16 days for a 31 day month. No JA callout though when sitting reserve...you're hands off to the schedulers unless you want to...any flying from the company added or awarded in a bid process above your normal line during first year results in 2nd yr rates (around a 35% increase)
The article references the fact that without purchasing a single airplane (even though we are purchasing a net of 29 this year), a new scheduling optimizing program has been implemented for the Oct schedule that has resulted in a net gain of an equivalent of 6 new aircraft. It simply means we are able to fly more air miles (6 equivalent jets worth) with the same number of aircraft. Fewer airplanes will be parking at some of the bases resulting in no requirement for a new base this year or maybe next (saving at least $1m...not bad).
These are not whooping gains but to have an average of a little over only 13 days a month in which you have to work to earn the average pay isn't bad. Now folks like me don't ever see that since I fly much more, that is my choice...up to the FAA limits. Once CA comes around though I hope for a change...that point will come around the 5.7 yr point at SWA for me!
________________
Comparing September ’04 to the October test schedule, there are 24 fewer flights in the October 29th test. The aircraft fleet grows by five to 402. This indicates that the routes are more predominantly long haul and hence will be more productive for the company (RASM) and for us in a higher density / greater flight time per day. (fewer flights, more airplanes...short hauls are dropped, long hauls are added)
Early discussions with SWA schedulers say that the test runs are returning greater than 7.22 TFP average density in a weekly schedule. This is extremely encouraging for the pilot group since this is more productive flying and it will help, along with the company meeting the workday targets, in achieving bid line averages in the range everyone remembers. The company is reluctant to release any of the preliminary test runs since the data may change before implementation.
FYI, CPOS (new scheduling optimization implemented by SWA)was in full utilization in Summer 1999 with a reduction in deadheads and increased AC swaps and sit time. Check this out. (The following is the bottom line improvements)
June ’97 we were working 14.07 workdays at 6.97 TFP. Bid line average 97.8 (this is Trips for Pay TFP per month...this figure is multiplied time your "trip rate", obviously it varies depending on your seniority, approximately 55 minutes of flying time to get one's monthly pay ). Average turn time 27 minutes, average swap time 1:28, Duty day 8:41
June ’99 we were working 13.68 workdays at 6.99 TFP. Bid line average 95.6. Average turn time 27 minutes, average swap time 1:22, Duty day 8:39
June ’04 we were working 13.04 workdays at 7.17 TFP. Bid line average 93.5. Average turn time 31 minutes, average swap time 1:11, Duty day 8:37
Shorter days, less swap time, 1.03 less workdays per month for 4.3 less TFP from 97 to now. Pick up an average day at your discretion, 100.67 TFP.
__________
As the writer says, the average for Oct maybe as high as 7.22 so the reduction in TFP maybe even less for a full day's less of work...we'll see. That should provide everyone a slightly better picture of what the averages are here. Reserves still sit about 15 days for a 30 day month, 16 days for a 31 day month. No JA callout though when sitting reserve...you're hands off to the schedulers unless you want to...any flying from the company added or awarded in a bid process above your normal line during first year results in 2nd yr rates (around a 35% increase)
