IS the SOUTHWEST FURLOUGH RUMOR TRUE????

[USMC319]

WARNING: Self-righteous poolie alert!!

you need to include this label with all of your posts. and for God's sake, have some self-respect.

jke406,
I am generally entertained by your posts usually because they aim to rile these poor kids. However, I was thinking the same thing exactly on this post. Spot on. Keep up the good work on KoolAid patrol.

 

[Andy]

I don't put any stock in this rumor. There are a number of steps that will be taken prior to any furloughs in a company of this size. In a smaller company or a sudden shock to the company's business, then yes, I could see hiring to furloughing.

One aspect that newhires need to be careful of is training float. That's all of the pilots in the various training centers at any given time. When the music stops and everyone's locked into their seats, the training classes disappear. Along with that, the training float is no longer necessary.
USAirways in 2000/2001 was a perfect example of that- they had a ton of seat movement and training events that reduced their line pilot head count. In order to offset that, they hired additional pilots to keep the airline going - training float. United, going into 911 had tapered off seat movements so that training float wasn't as significant as it would have been had they still been going gangbusters with hiring.
Southwest doesn't have as many training float issues, since they only have one aircraft. The only training events that Southwest has is left seat and right seat training, therefore not much training float.
This will be a much bigger issue at companies with multiple aircraft types and are actively hiring, such as Delta.
So training float is not a big vulnerability for Southwest.

For a company like Southwest, they'll scale back on overtime flying well before any furloughs. Also, they'll offer liberal leaves of absence before furloughs. And they will also offer opportunities to work in other areas of the company that are shorthanded, such as ramper jobs, etc.

But Southwest is also not bulletproof. I don't buy the argument that Southwest's traffic can't decrease significantly. It can. And Southwest can end up parking older aircraft, more than negating any new deliveries. But all of this takes some time; it won't happen overnight.
Perhaps Southwest is looking at downsizing plans that include the furlough option. I'd put more stock in that. It would be prudent for every company to evaluate the downside and plan properly for the recession.

 

[jtmpilot]

HMMM 41 airplanes down!!! thats gotta cause a little bit of an alarm!!!!! Maybe the furlough is closer than expected!! gotta be alot of lost revenue too!!!!!

 

[vixin]

Once again your so called facts are wrong moron. They are all or almost all back flying. It was a 1-3 hour inspection. You are a real moron.

 

[ofacegangsta]

All the "SWA poolie" naysayers should do one of two things. Either name your "perfect choice" airline (and STFU), or quit wasting your time. You are not going to get the satisfaction of someone saying they are in the pool and you are right.

 

[Benhuntn]

Got my notice....31 May 2016, I am broke up about it too!

 

[LJDRVR]

HMMM 41 airplanes down!!! thats gotta cause a little bit of an alarm!!!!! Maybe the furlough is closer than expected!! gotta be alot of lost revenue too!!!!!

OK, now you're just acting like a troll. Unless damage is found, those 41 AC will be back flying no later than close of business today, possibly sooner.

As far as your comment concerning "shrinking growth" is concerned? You're insinuating that an airline, any airline, that is growing at a reduced rate (but still growing!!!) would somehow need to furlough.

That's not how it works.

Allow me to let you in on a little "secret" about rumors in the aviation industry:

None of them are true.

I've been flying professionally since 1995, and I can't think of a single rumor that came to pass. All the major, career altering stuff, both good and bad, is almost always a surprise.

Coming on an Internet bulletin board as juvenile as FI and asking people to confirm some "furlough rumor" displays a total lack of SA, which is why people have their hackles up. (That, and one must never speak poorly of Southwest Airlines. )

Nobody on this board knows and WN is the least likely carrier to send pilots packing. There's your answer.

 

[Whataburger]

What the heck is going on??? Heard from a buddy that SWA might furlough due to growth shrinking and the fallout from the maintenance issues?????

Certainly you cargo folks arent that removed from reality. Next time take a rumor, twist some common sense into it, and then see if it is worth opening you mouth and removing all doubt.

We are growing by a lesser amount = GROWTH = more pilots. MX issues cancelled 142 flights. All planes are back in service today.

 

[BOYCAPTAIN]

...............

 

[BOYCAPTAIN]

FDX just cancelled all of our SWA deadheads....should be short term...

 

[jke406]

MX issues cancelled 142 flights.

by "MX issues," you mean the willful and premeditated omission of FAA-mandated saftey inspections to save money...right?

 

[Whataburger]

by "MX issues," you mean the willful and premeditated omission of FAA-mandated saftey inspections to save money...right?

I am neither in the MX department nor have an office in headquarters. Neither Kelly nor the MX department has called me personally to inform me on exaxtly what happened.

 

[FlyinGuy]

Remember we are in contract negotiations...Every rumor is TRUE!!!

 

[jtmpilot]

OK once and for all....WHY do all the SWA folks who responded get their panties in a wad and think this thread was designed to bash SWA.... next thread ill start ""ill say SWA and ______ nothing else and some how i see 14 pages of SWA folks saying why are you trying to bash us!!!!!! ALL i stated were facts and the rumor of the furlough.....I was just inquiring!!!!!!!!!!!! Holy Fing Cra-!!! You guys get pissed over nothing!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[vixin]

The problem is you didnt have any facts. I showed you that in a previous post. Yet you are still so stupid you think, in your little mind, you had facts. I really dont care about SWA bashing. Just idiots like you who spout off about things you know absolutely nothing about.

 

[jtmpilot]

OK VIXIN here we go again.....MX issues are a FACT.....hiring over AGE 60 guys before the poolies...another FACT!!!.. not growing as much....which means the same as SHRINKING GROWTH...just not as much growth another FACT!!! $110 a barrel oil another FACT!!! Deliverys deffered another FACT!!! as i said before the only rumor was the furlough rumor, which i never said it was fact, i posted it was a rumor and i was asking for others opinions on the rumor.........by the way vixin did you get your english endorsment on your certificates yet?? maybe the FAA should check and see if you really can read, speak and understand the english language more throughly....... and before some twerp steps in and says i cant spell.....we are not required to spell correctly...so dont go there.......vixin go back and re-read the post.... the facts i stated are true....the furlough was the rumor!!!!!!!!
Now go and pull your panties out of your buttocks and quit feeling that everyone is out to get you....

 

[Papa Woody]

When is the grand jury convening to hear the corruption evidence showing collusion between SWA and certain B737 type-rating "factories."

Ever wonder why only 10-20% of those interviewed get job offers?

Just 10 years ago, only UAL, DAL, NWA rejects went to SWA, and now suddenly they're so selective.

 

[LJDRVR]

Now go and pull your panties out of your buttocks and quit feeling that everyone is out to get you....

That's excellent advice!

 

[YourPilotFriend]

Let's look at the facts....

1. Southwest has the best cost structure a US airline has ever seen.

2. SWA has the most productive work force among all the other carriers.

3. SWA is basically paying last years prices for gas, a 50% advantage in some cases.

4. They fly the most passengers of any airline.

5. They have the most friendly, and helpful staff in the business.

6. They are consistently ranked the top airline in almost all categories.

Yet even with all this going for them, they made barely an more profit than any other carrier last year. We have this scandal that has come to light.
Someone explain why this is? SW is the A-Rod of airlines...

 

[Whataburger]

Yet even with all this going for them, they made barely an more profit than any other carrier last year. We have this scandal that has come to light.
Someone explain why this is? SW is the A-Rod of airlines...

I think it's because we aren't like Big Oil. They gouge people because they can. We price our product just high enough so we can pay the bills and have a little left over for grandpa. An attempt to have the lowest priced product in all 64 markets.

 

[vixin]

YPF the dipchit still wont understan it. Again in English for you. I dont care what people say about SWA. I fly here and it pays more then a 145. Nuff said!

What is funny is how your question was answered several times and yet you still dont grasp the concept. Here you go again in English. If your inept little brain can comprehend it. Your question was about furlough. It was easily disproven.

Originally Posted by jtmpilot
DUDE the furlough rumor is not fact, but the rest i stated are facts! shrinking growth, Yet still growth..why cant you understand what you are saying here moron. MX issues, we still dont know the affect of this and wont for sometime deliverys deffered Yet still growing,15year upgrade this is just speculation...not sure what this has to do with a furlough though and I think it is closer to 10-12 years. Things change here very quick. We could be under 6 years this time next year you never know, and age 60 are all facts, hired over 60 only 40 applied hmmm retreads before the poolies The numbers are indicating only 24 have been offered a job and not all will take it...still has nothing to do with a furlough.....all are facts.Those are your facts that arent...i was trying to find out about the furlough rumor not create one, and you have been answered several times yet it still wont sink into that little head of yours... you just got pissed off for me asking??? yeah and im the crazy one!!NO just an idiot!

 

[Kugelblitz]

You're saying Southwest would knowingly run a class that they were gonna furlough? A typical SWA newhire is leaving a decent paying job to go work for SWA. You really think SWA is going to let these people leave their other jobs just to show up and be shown the door and be jobless? I call BS on this one

Your employer is just another US business that will do anything for a buck. To think that they have some sort of conscience about furloughing people is purely self-delusion.

The only reason SWA hasn't furloughed yet is because they have been able to avoid it and that is good for business, i.e., profits that eventually get rolled into the coffers of the executives and then you get the leftovers. SWA has not furloughed due to some sense of business ethics, it is utterly absurd to think such an ethics exist. If it makes money it must be good, that is all anyone uses too judge right from wrong, especially the executive branch of any business.

Having been, and still experiencing furlough myself, I certainly would not wish that on anyone. But I would strongly suggest, at least based on your comment, that you reevaluate your concepts about corporate America, even the great SWA.

 

[JI Gone OH]

SWA is not Midway.


Cheers!

True, there are certainly some differences between the two. For starters, we did our maintenance inspections on time ;-).

Cheers, right back at you!

 

[jtmpilot]

VIXIN you are a true female and will never grasp what is being said!!!!!! SHRINKING growth!!! simply put that it has shrunk from what they estimated ....that is shrinking!!!!! yes its still growth, but it is also shrinking growth from expected.....someone else please help out here!!!!! or do they implant a chip in your head over there when your hired that shoots a electrical pulse when a negative thought enters your head......... MUST STAY POSITIVE....MUST STAY POSITIVE..... dont get me wrong thats a great attitude to have but dont wander around like a cult and loose your brain either!!!!!!!!!

 

[Whataburger]

True, there are certainly some differences between the two. For starters, we did our maintenance inspections on time ;-).

Cheers, right back at you!

Hopefully this plane will get its inspections on time too.
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-2857

 

[Capt.LongThrust]

Hey Whataburger,

With the furlough just around the corner does that mean another canoe trip? Sweeeeeeeeeeeet.

 

[vixin]

Still growth so why again would we furlough? The simple answer to your question lies in the question. Grasp that! Or try to anyway. I am far from a koolie believe me. Besides who ever said I was a chick. Once again you dont have the facts dumbass. Who is it you fly the mighty 145 for? Maybe I will leave the sinking ship for your outfit.:laugh:

 

[Dude]

I feel like I stumbled onto a 99's forum. This thread grows increasingly more stupid with the same responses over and over. We get it. SWA is only lucky to be here and I will be on the street soon while Gary Kelly, Herb, and Colleen take their spoils and live it up in San Pedro. Thank you for your prophetic commentary and truly clairvoyant revelation of the facts.

Facts are important, right? I recognize that some folks are enjoying our unfortunate encounter with Mr. Oberstar, the FAA, and CNN. Given our success and other's lack thereof, it is understandable. If I were in a compromised position as some are and have been, I would be looking for every bit of other's misery I could to make my existence seem more palatable. If it is any consolation, I don't like being employed by the greatest company to ever make a payroll. I would be much more comfortable in second or third.

This entire forum is like my wife walking down the street and seeing another beautiful woman only to rip her apart regarding how he looks. You know that whole conversation, right? "Who does she think she is?" "Who told her it's okay to wear that?" "Bitch!" All said about someone she knows nothing about. That's right folks, were a bunch of chicks. If it weren't for anonymity and the entertainment value, I would have checked out of this tool shed a long time ago.

p. s. I would like to apologize to Vixin if I have disrupted your tender sensibilities.

 

[jtmpilot]

actually i fly cargo and its a mighty MD11. now back to your light twin.......... and with a name like vixin ..if your a guy that explains all i need to know

 

[jtmpilot]

I think SW is a great company it was one of my top choices until cargo came knocking... so i did not start the thread to bash SWA. I admire their operation and ONCE AGAIN only stated facts and was asking for input on a rumor... i understand most rumors are not real, but Vixin you jumped right in to ""how dare someone bash my company!!!"" I never bashed it or even said it was falling apart, i simply inquired about something i heard...... now you can go back to your light twin.......(in case thats hard to read into for you....that is bashing you !!! not SWA)