Factual SWA/AAI integration data

[jball2]

Sorry, misread that, I thought he was talking about the 737's wings.

 

[humveedriver]

Same wing, more powerful engines. Makes for a neat aerodynamic science experiment watching the amber footers nearly touch.

 

[c9skytrain]

Willing to bet the 717s will be kept longer than most think. Too hard and costly to replace the pop tops 300s, grow int'l and replace the 717s at the same time. Would not be surprised if more 717s were picked up. The lease rates would be pennies compared to a new 737.

 

[tankerhead]

Same wing, more powerful engines. Makes for a neat aerodynamic science experiment watching the amber footers nearly touch.

Headers, footers....what's the difference? Unless you're talking about your options at the pay-by-the-hour hot-sheet HO-tel.

 

[Fubijaakr]

Willing to bet the 717s will be kept longer than most think. Too hard and costly to replace the pop tops 300s, grow int'l and replace the 717s at the same time. Would not be surprised if more 717s were picked up. The lease rates would be pennies compared to a new 737.

Not really. SWA got all the Boeing 737 slots AAI had. Boeing is HAPPY to convert -700 orders to -800s. Additionally, I'm sure Boeing will also be happy to make a deal to take the 717s off your Hans if it means additional 737 orders.

The ONLY issue would be the requalification time frame for the AAI 717 pilots and there are plenty of sim outfits that would sell you the sim time to do it...even AS sells sim time on occasion.

I agree. The 717s will be gone sooner than later. Every AAI pilot who can needs to bid over to the SWA side of the house NOW!

 

[SWA Bubba]

Not really. SWA got all the Boeing 737 slots AAI had. Boeing is HAPPY to convert -700 orders to -800s. Additionally, I'm sure Boeing will also be happy to make a deal to take the 717s off your Hans if it means additional 737 orders.

The ONLY issue would be the requalification time frame for the AAI 717 pilots and there are plenty of sim outfits that would sell you the sim time to do it...even AS sells sim time on occasion.

I agree. The 717s will be gone sooner than later. Every AAI pilot who can needs to bid over to the SWA side of the house NOW!

Hate to admit that I'm agreeing with Fubijaakr with anything, even a little!

My feeling is that the 717s will go away as scheduled (2017-24, as per leases), or sooner, if Gary can find a way, working with Boeing or others. So, as Fubi says, ultimately sooner rather than later. However, whether or not Airtran guys should "bid over to SWA side of the house NOW" probably isn't affected by this. If SWA can replace the 717s early, then Airtran guys will just come over to the 737 on SWA side at an accelerated rate, continuing to come over in the bid order of guys who wanted to come first, and finally getting to the guys who wanted to stay on the 717 as long as possible.

My opinion is that Airtran guys should bid what they feel best for them, based on all personal factors (liking the 717, wanting to still be a CA, wanting to be based in ATL or the other, soon-to-be-announced 717 base, quality of life, etc.) and not worry about the timing of 717 departures. You'll be flying a SWA-painted plane of one sort or the other, and a 737 eventually. The important thing to take away is that the 717s will be replaced, not eliminated, regardless of the timeframe.

I'd also like to think that my Airtran brothers would have more fun on the SWA side of the house, but that's for individual pilots to say for themselves. Do what you need to do, and we'll see you here eventually. Good luck!

Bubba

 

[SWA717]

I'm just wondering if the SWA F/A's are a bunch of boring slam clickers like we have here at AAI? It is a known fact that the AAI F/As where told, when they went through new hire training, to stay away from the pilots. I was told this first hand by a new hire.

 

[zonejumper]

I'm just wondering if the SWA F/A's are a bunch of boring slam clickers like we have here at AAI? It is a known fact that the AAI F/As where told, when they went through new hire training, to stay away from the pilots. I was told this first hand by a new hire.

MOST airlines tell FA trainees to stay away from the pilots! :beer:

 

[SWA Bubba]

MOST airlines tell FA trainees to stay away from the pilots! :beer:

That's probably true, and I've heard it is also true at SWA. On the other hand, so is the converse. During my first coupla' days of new-hire indoc at SWA, mostly people came through and told us what a great decision we made in coming here, etc. Standard stuff, I'd imagine. The last guy was the VP of Flight Ops who blathered on for a while, then finished with this: "If you guys don't remember anything ELSE I say, remember this: Flight Attendants are not your friend." Then he walked out. We all wondered what he meant by that.

However, human nature being what it is, we all promptly forgot his words of advice, and went about our business. I imagine it was the same for the Flight Attendants. Some F/As slam-click, some pilots slam-click. Most of each are sociable and have reasonable fun on overnights (insert your definition of "reasonable" here). Finally, some of each have,... uh,... other definitions of reasonable fun, and act accordingly. Apparently, that's what the same hotel, cheap liquor, and no need to set an alarm clock on a PM trip will do to you.

Anyway, SWA717, I trust you'll figure it out. I just want to say good luck, and that we're all counting on you!

Bubba

 

[zonejumper]

Honestly, who among us hasn't BTDT and has the t-shirt to prove it?!

Oh, and I know all about pilots being warned about evil FAs. Sometimes notes are compared on overnights.