Classes/interviews for SWA..

[MLBWINGBORN]

Hey guys and gals..

Just got back from a trip and i thought i would try to share with you a number of things heard on the road..

According to a number of sources, the company is some what worried about the 4thQ..They are pushing everyone to watch their expences at the dept heads level.

A total of 3 more 737-700s will be picked up in the remainder of 2002..

As for aircraft numbers in 2003...

A total of 14 new 737s with 6 being offset by 737-200 retirements for a total gain of 8..The talk right now is NOT to increase pilot staffing but rather "absorb" the aircraft into the system..Im not sure how they are going to take 8 new 737s and not man them..

The last number ive heard thats supposed to be in the pool was 275..

While there seems to be a number of Capt upgrade classes going on, there havnt been any new hire classes scheduled in the training dept for the remainder of the year..If they dont hire anyone in Oct,Nov,or Dec it would be the first time in a long time that has happened..

BWI,HOU,and MDW construction is moving along and looks like BWI will be completed no later than the second week in Oct..

I have talked to a number of Ops folks in BWI and they are talking about a 300 flight per day schedule in the near future..WOW!!

As always i hope everybody can hang in there and myself and others will try our best to keep you updated..

For those of you in the pool now i can only say that the general thoughts are that the company is gearing up for a major expansion at some point in the future..When that happens those of us here as well as those of you that are currently treading water are going to be in for a great ride..

So keep doing what you gotta do to keep the bread on the table..But keep smiling because you know you are in line for the best job out there..

Mike
MLBWINGBORN

 

[OakRBust]

I have a buddy that always checks up with the Midway CP for myself and a few other floaters on the latest hiring news. He got the latest update about a week or so ago.

The news also suggested that there would be no hiring for the rest of the year. He told my pal that the next class looks like around April 2003.


We all know that it is comimg..... just a matter of time..... hang in there everybody!



Oak

 

[shootr]

Not good news. I just don't know if I can keep doing what I've been doing for another year. JetBlue is looking better and better.

Good Luck All,
shootr

P.S. How can SWA not expand while JetBlue, Alaska, and Airtran all are? We can hope it's just contract games but it seems less and less likely every day.

 

[LearAv8r]

I have a feeling that they will call us sooner than we think!!


LearAv8r-

 

[Maynard]

Expansion?

P.S. How can SWA not expand while JetBlue, Alaska, and Airtran all are? We can hope it's just contract games but it seems less and less likely every day.

If I worked at JetBlue, Alaska, or Airtran, I would be very nervous as to why my company is expanding while SWA is not...

 

[qxeplt]

What I heard...

I just had a SWA pilot jumpseat the other day. We were talking about upcoming classes and he mentioned an internal memo advising no classes for the rest of the year. Kind of sounds like Mike just confirmed that.

 

[Jolly Roger]

Don't know much about these rumors, but does anyone have any idea how long SWA might hold on to us poor poolies?... hopefully until we are in class, in spite of what looks like a potentially very long wait for those of us far from the drain...

 

[qxeplt]

This SWA we're talkin' about...

No worries mate...SWA is not gonna yank the rug out from under ya. Especially since you went out and got a type on their behalf. With their unique employee/management reputation it's just flat out not their style.

That's my thoughts anyways.

 

[RightBettor]

As expected

Figured this was going to happen. BTW, is anyone going to RETIRE from this company in 2003?? Assuming no growth then wouldn't SWA have to replace retiring pilots? *sigh* Whatever!!!!

 

[Maynard]

Don't fret...

Things are actually back to normal. Back in the 80's and early 90's it was quite the norm for pilots to wait 9 months to a year in the pool at SWA. It's just that with the huge growth that happened in the late 90's/early2000, the company never had a chance to develop a pool. So, I think, things are back to normal. SWA is being VERY cautious right now which is probably a good thing for all of you pool folks. BTW, congratulations to all of you, you are WAY ahead of a lot of people...(approx. 8000 furloughed airline pilots). Hope that helps...
MJK

 

[mach none]

Re: Expansion?

If I worked at JetBlue, Alaska, or Airtran, I would be very nervous as to why my company is expanding while SWA is not...

I believe the reason for WN caution about the fourth quarter and beyond stems from the fact that your company has some major labor contracts up for negotiations and that will substantally increase your costs.

Aren't the FA's trying for industry leading pay along with the Mechs and rampers?

 

[AirlineWannabe]

I am curious..

I thought the justification for the pilots accepting the new contract (and locking in costs for the next four years) was to provide the company with $$ to grow, faster upgrades, better schedules, etc.
At least the pilots have a new pay raise until growth starts again......

 

[MLBWINGBORN]

Well...
The reasons for signing vary from person to person but i think one of the biggest reasons was to prepare for a full blown section six opener in 2006.

Some folks that arnt going to be around in 2006 signed because it was money that they would otherwise not have made as most of them have topped out in pay..

Another thought was that what we get now will make it easier to get what we want later and allow time to do some union building while taking some steps in the right direction..

But..like i said..
Lots of different reasons..

Mike...
MLBWINGBORN

 

[AirlineWannabe]

I wasn't trying to give the pilots "a poke in the eye".....

I was questioning some of management's selling points.....

 

[MLBWINGBORN]

Im sorry..
I missed the point of your question then..

You are correct when you say that it is good for them to have everyone under contract as it allows them to forecast costs more accurately..

And yes the FAs are pushing for alot of issues as well as the rampers/mechs..The Mechs are much closer i think than they have been and i understand that their board has voted to recomend the latest offer..Its now up to the rank and file to see where it goes..Time will tell..

A SWA with a clear picture of their labor costs in the present market could be deadly to those airlines that are overlapping our routes..

Man..Am i ever glad to be here and not out there..

Mike
MLBWINGBORN

 

[Krunch]

MLBWINGBORN,

I heard from a friend that the net gain for aircraft next year was to be 14 that was after the retirement of the -200's. Plus you add in the 200 plus retirements 11 x 14 + 200 = empty the pool...

My friend also had some Intel on 1 class per month starting 15 Sept and going through the end of this year and in 03 cranking up during the spring again... Like they say in Vegas double up to catch up...

"Krunch"

 

[MLBWINGBORN]

That would be really good news for alot of people..
But..Not whats being said right now in managment meetings...

I just dont see how they are going to take planes unless they are going to park them in the desert unless they start cranking out classes..

Mike
MLBWINGBORN

 

[NEO]

Krunch

Hey, don't get me wrong, I luved the good mojo in your last post, but please explain a few things.

1. Where did you get the info on the net gain of 14 new planes?

2. 200 pilot retirements next year? This number is about 120 higher than most estimates.

Like Mike says... "That would be really good news for alot of people.. "

 

[Bake]

Krunch, as optimistic as I would like to be, I don't believe your information is correct. Let's take the first part: Class 15 Sep 02 -- If this is true why haven't any of us poolies received a call yet? Since this information seems not to be happening, I have to believe that the rest of it is incorrect also. Seems MLB and the others have the true info. Man I wish you were right, I'm ready to be in DAL for quite a few weeks, not to mention a steady paycheck. KEEP THE RUMORS COMING THOUGH, IT GIVES US SOMETHING TO DO EACH DAY.

Bake

 

[SWA2000]

From the system CP. 14 aircraft next year. Retiring 9 200's = 5 net. And the usual "all things subject to change".

 

[MLBWINGBORN]

Hey guys and gals..

I just got off the phone with both the union as well as the GO in DAL..

The bottom line is this..

At this point the numbers for the 3rdQ are showing making a little money..
The outlook for the 4thQ looks pretty bleak..

Having said all that the company line is no new classes for the remainder of this year as well as the possibilty of no classes until after the 1stQ 2003..

The aircraft numbers are 6 200s to be retired with 14 737-700s being picked up for a fleet increase of 8..

The return of some of the military folks are going to increase available staffing and right now the staffing for what we have is about right to a little on the fat side..

The retirements at this point are not going to have a major impact on hiring for several months..With both the stock price and the economy being what it is dont look for alot of folks calling in "rich"..

But...All of this is subject to change at a moments notice..I asked what would it take to return to running classes again and was told by both sources that the economy has to have a pretty good recovery for them to let go of their cash reserves...

I also asked about Airtran,Alaska,and Jetblue..Both Alaska and Airtran are expanding into markets based on speculation and are spending money doing it..If Jetblue cant find the cash to make the defered payments about to come due then their world may come to a very sudden end..

On the positive side of things both sources were very positive about the future and our position in the marketplace...When the flying public returns then we are in a great position to do just about anything we want in the way of expansion..

For whats its worth.. this is about as close to the horses mouth as i care to get..Any higher in the food chain and some Wild Turkey would be needed..

Mike
MLBWINGBORN

 

[tredding@swa]

BIG thanks!

MLB -

Thanks a million for putting up your posts... NO I would rather NOT hear some of the data - (IF I were to take the head-in-the-sand approach that is...) BUT reality IS that the world is quite different than it was 364 days ago....

I'll keep my bets on SWA & SWA Management, thankyouverymuch. They have proven to me for 32 years that they understand what it takes to run an airline the "correct" way.

Call me when you can - I'll just be Tredding until you do....

Thanks again - much appreciated data MLB!!

Regards - Tred

 

[Aplus9]

Oppsahh,

Two of the military folks in the October class are dudes who already went thru the Dallas class, but did not get thru their 5 rides or so (indoc?), before 9-11. The others I have no idea.


Aplus9

 

[Krunch]

Rumors

MLB et al...

The info I posted was from a close friend whom I trust. I don't know how high the source of the info was but then again I don't have a crystal ball either. I just posted what I was told. For a guy who is trying to get into the pool I am looking for information to make a few life changing decisions. I just passed on what I heard. Sorry if the info may not be 100 percent gospel truth.

"Krunch"

 

[OakRBust]

Mike... Thanks Man


As for all other fellow pool rats.....


Southwest has an incredible reputation for taking care of its employees that are already on the property. I think that is still the number one reason why I can't wait to go work for them. They really don't owe us poolies anything. I hope they continue to be cautious to ensure the stability, prosperity, and happiness of all the people that are currently making SWA successful. Then... when we all get to big D, I hope that they will continue to take care of all of us! I wish it was tomarrow but I can wait.

For all the people not currently flying, I really hope it happens quickly for you. For me, I am lucky to be currently flying and I'd much rather keep it that way than get on the bottom and become the first F Bomb in SWA history because they weren't being cautious. Stick with the proven plan. It has worked for a long time!! Slow and Steady is the SWA way. So hang in there!!
When we all get there I guarantee it will be well worth the wait!!!


OAK

 

[MLBWINGBORN]

Krunch..

Thats what this board is all about..The more ears on the railroad tracks the better the info..

I am always ready and willing to be wrong about any posts ive made..I would love to be wrong about my last one..Thats for sure..
If there is anything i can do to help just send me a PM and i will see how i can help..

Mike
MLBWINGBORN

 

[pegasus]

Today y confirmed Mike's latest, no sign of classes this year, and the spring looks like the earliest next year. I have been offered a 1 year contract back in the military and have to seriously consider whether to take it or not. I'm sure all you guys behind me in the list are keen that I recommit!

If there is a glimmer, they (SWA) do seem to have their ducks in a row. If anybody can help me stay out of the military by offering me a well paid job cutting their grass, painting their house or polishing their Corvette (B747dog!) then I am available at a very cheap rate.

 

[ars225dh]

Mike,

I know we all hate to see the slow time, but the stock market shows that ALK may have bit off too much in a poor economy.

I wish my phone would ring for an interview, but it's a good thing SWA is holding back and playing it safe.

 

[LiveFreeorDie]

Some times the truth hurts.

This info is right on with what I heard from a friend who works at the training center. He said POSSIBLY one more class this year then no more until mid-next year. What ever that means. This came from a Department Head budget meeting last Thursday.

I am also glad to have a spot in the pool. I try to count my blessings. Got a job currently, got a spot in the pool. But looking back on Sept 11th today is dragging me down a bit. Almost makes me want to get back in the AF just so I can be around to bomb Iraq again. Nahh, I guess I'll just have to watch it on Fox News.

 

[Bake]

For all you interested there is a good audio from CFO of SWA at CBS MarketWatch. I got there through Yahoo Finance, LUV News. Said they are expecting 5% growth rate this year and next year also.

Bake