Herb's latest rumor

[TrumanSparks]

There is a difference between having your act together and getting your act together.

 

[LiveFreeorDie]

And there is a difference between acting like a moron (drunk at superbowl party) and being a moron (intellectually challenged like Wright Avia.)

 

[Skyrunner]

News Alert!!!!!!!!!

I've heard from reliable sources that Herb is going to take over MLB next season and send Bud Selig on his way. Maybe he can jump start America's national pasttime.

Adios,

SR

 

[zymotic]

Re: Thrown another biscut

Spoke to LL the other day and she said that they are looking to hire around 300 this 1st Qtr and that I am some where around the 7th class. I am currently number 87th on the unofficial list.

This is both good and bad. In months past it has always been 180 to 200 for the 1st Qtr. So, 300 is a bonus. But, before I was expecting to be in around April, now it seems I may not be in until May. That is with 2 classes a month.

300 in the first quarter?!! Has anyone else heard this from LL?

 

[Skyrunner]

Not a peep

I haven't heard the 300 in the 1Q rumor. You would think LUV keeps that info Top Secret/SCI. If it is true, I'll be doin' cheetah flips for the remainder of the quarter.

Adios,

SR

 

[PTinbound]

Cool your jets about the 300 in the 1st Q, folks. I don't know where that came from, but LL mentioned yesterday (if I may) that 140-200 for the YEAR was still the official projection. Of course that's subject to change; Gary Kelly mentioned last week that Iraq was the big wildcard. If it gets ugly over there and the whole industry deteriorates, it could get ugly for us. On the other hand, if that turns out OK but one of our competitors tanks, I'm guessing our pool would drain fairly quickly. LL said they were thinking about the possibility of one March class, but that wouldn't be announced until the middle of February. They will think about classes month to month after that, depending on how things are going. However, if things remain the same, there will be more deliveries and pilot retirements in '04, so the hiring in '04 looks much brighter. The other good news is that they still LUV us, I feel, and all we need to do is be patient and our time will come, Lord willing. I just keep praying, as others have mentioned, and any little tiny thing I can do to help SWA I do.
When I call the employee newsline, I always use my cell phone and dial the Dallas area code, as opposed to the 800 # that would cost SWA some money. When I'm taxiing out to 21L in DTW, and there's a SWA plane told to wait for me to pass before taxiing, I mention the obligatory "I am not worthy" to my FO and increase my "brisk walk" taxi speed to a more "SWA style" brisk walk taxi speed, thereby saving SWA 2 or 3 cents worth of gas just waiting there. And the couple of times I've rode on SWA this year I always make it a point to clean up the area around me when I leave, including the seatback pockets, so it saves a real SWA employee from doing the work, cuts down turn time, and makes a better, clean airplane for the next real SWA customer to enjoy when they fly afterwards and will hopefully buy more tickets on SWA. I also transferred all my credit card balaces to my SWA visa (I know, I'm trying to pay it off...) and I think SWA makes some small percentage of the profit that the credit card company makes.
Little things, I know, but I want to help all I can to make the best airline in the world stay that way. I think all of us wannabees in the pool, as well as those hoping to get in the pool, should do the same. I'm excited that my dream airline would even consider me, let alone put me in the pool. One of my goals someday is to have a chief pilot say, "PT, I'm really glad we hired you." I'm going to do all I can to make that happen, and I don't have to wait until I'm hired to start trying. I can do little things now, as well as continue to be the best employee I can to my current employer.
Now I'm not sure how I got onto that big bunny trail, so forgive my wandering. Ya'll have a great day!

 

[chase]

PT Inbound

Thanks for your effort. Whoa!! that's pretty impressive. We could use more customers like that. Glad to have you on board, hope to see you in DAL soon. Here is some more good news also:

Source: Air Transport World


Southwest Named Airline of the Year
Monday January 27, 7:02 am ET


WASHINGTON, D.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 27, 2003--Air Transport World Magazine, the leading monthly magazine covering the global airline industry, selected Dallas-based Southwest Airlines as its Airline of the Year for 2003. The editors praised the Southwest for its 30 consecutive years of profitability while providing affordable fares for millions of passengers.
ATW Editorial Director J.A. Donoghue stated: "Southwest is the original template of how low-fare airlines are supposed to operate," continuing to grow and prosper during the worst airline recession in history while earning profits of more than $700 million in the past two years.

Other award winners include ExpressJet, selected as ATW's Regional Airline of the Year. The Houston-based regional partner of Continental Airlines achieved a near-perfect 99% completion factor in 2002, while growing traffic 17%, boosting earnings 75% and completing a successful initial public stock offering.
_________

Some of you may already have this phone number but it provides some useful info on a week to week basis. Provides the latest gouge on what is happening that is being made public. Plus there is a flight ops hotline there also. Very interesting info.

CFO Gary Kelly Discusses 4Q, Yearend Earnings on Hot Line

Listen to Chief Financial Officer Gary Kelly’s thoughts on our financial performance. The News Line can be reached from any Southwest phone by dialing SDN 792-NEWS, or toll free at (877) I-FLY-737.

 

[tredding@swa]

helping out....

PT - great stuff you posted above!!!!

You got me thinking about what I have done in the past year also - I decided to fly ONLY on SWA a little more than a year ago, I figured that every time I walked on board a SWA jet, I would increase the load factor by 1.

Turns out that I have flown 53 times in the past 365 days! My commute to/from work and home has caused most of this flying. It has not gone without recognition from SWA either.

I have earned 6 free round trip tickets and was recently awarded a companion pass for my wife. The companion pass allows me to take my wife along on ANY flight I book, for FREE! It is good for a year.

I can now see why "Rapid Rewards" is voted #1 frequent flyer program year after year!! I have used my free tickets by simply picking up the phone and booking a flight. SWA has NEVER said I can't use my reward ticket!! I have enough points for several free tix on Delta, but EVERYtime I have tried to use them, I can't due to some "rule" that blocks my use of my points!

Yes PT, it looks as if the training may slow down a bit until we get through the uncertainty surrounding war/economy/etc., but WHEN the call comes in for all of us(and it WILL), I for one understand that we will be going to work for an awesome airline that KNOWS how to take care of customers AND employees.

And, BTW, as an employee, you can also participate in Rapid Rewards, earn points for all flights you pay for, and then fly on your free tickets as you earn them. Lots of SWA employees buy tickets (why not they are cheap) when they want/need to go somewhere without playing the "standby" game for free flights.

SO - sorry for rambling on & on... just some thoughts while I sit here waiting for the phone to ring.....

"Hello Mr. Tred this is Joe Jones I am Chief Pilot for Southwest Airlines, I would like to welcome you on board......"

I might just faint........

Have a great day everyone - hang in there - our time WILL come!

Regards - Tred

 

[PTinbound]

Tred and Chase, thanks for the kind words. Buying tickets on SWA is for sure the way to go when you need to. Perhaps not on first year pay, but afterwards I think I'll just buy tickets on SWA for my family and I to go see the grandparents and cousins during Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. Of course, I won't be getting Christmas/Tday off in my first year anyway, so it's a moot point... But let's all do what we can to keep SWA the best company to work for (and buy a ticket on!) in America!