The 3 Scenerios
Since we're all talk'n rumors here, I'll throw this one into the pile. I was talking with my SWA buddy tonight and here's what he was told by a check airman last week regarding the hiring. My buddy tries to get as much info from them when he can, but he usually laughs when I tell him I've already heard most of his good stuff from you guys here on FLIGHTINFO.
Here's what the check airman said to him (paraphrased as well as possible - my eyes were glued to the 49'ers game at the time):
Meetings have been going on within the check airman/training ranks for (3) possible 2003 hiring scenerios. Here they are in no particular order:
1. Hire for 2003 deliveries and 2003 retirements (we've all seen this so far and have been hearing numbers quoted from 180-250 or so).
2. Hire for 2003 retirements only. The C/A told him 95 pilots. The age 60 retirements for 2003 run about 65 pilots from a quick count off the Jan 10, 2002 Seniority list. So it sounds as if the C/A is assuming or has been told about 30 early outs, or I can't count worth a hoot and need to go back to the second grade.
3. Hire based on a reduction of capacity from SWA's competitors. This issue is VERY speculative, and is obviously a very unknown at this point (but you have to be ready to move when the opportunities present themselves). This would be a "massive" training event and would bring on all of us this year according to my understanding of my friend's interpretation of the C/A's explanation of the possible event. We are talking VERY FORWARD movement here.
Conclusion?
Who the heck knows, but it makes me feel good that they are at least discussing more than one option that will affect most, if not all of us in 2003. I must admit that I'm not too hip on #2 though.
(Tredding would have to come out of retirement and make us some 2004 Pool Rat towels and T's)
Any other substantiated rumors along these lines?
Coop
