More good LUV'n

[ivauir]

Southwest Taking Two More B-737s in June
Southwest Airlines announced March 13 the carrier will accept two more B-737s in June, bringing its 2002 deliveries to 14 and the carrier's total fleet to 366.

 

[chazworth]

Great news! Let's hope more planes=more classes!

Keep on treadin'!

 

[InHot]

Good News

Well, that's good news!

But I gotta ask: "What's your take on "no new classes scheduled after April.." line that JM is putting out.

A slowdown? Or is it just that they have haven't firmed things up yet?

I know any answer is just speculation, but that's all I've got at this point.

I guess I could call JM... I haven't yet; for two reasons:

1. it's only been 19 days since JM called to congratulate me.

2. I'm chicken (don't ask what you don't want to hear)!

Ya know, I find it curious and troublesome (not really, but it does sound dramatic doesn't it?) that our insiders (Chase, MWB, etc..) haven't piped up with the inside poop. My over active imagination draws the worse conclusions.

Furloughed, forgotten and feversihly flailing....

Come on guys... SPECULATE!

 

[ivauir]

why no words

My speculation:
- no new interviews will be announced until the quarterly #s come out:

- good #s

- new class shedule will be announced, possibly with increased pace if training can support it. Classes will continue at one every two weeks (they never announce anything until the last moment possible, so don't sweat May classes until late April).
- new interviews will be announced; they'll still be looking for "rock stars"
- planes will still come out of deferment, maybe even new orders


- bad #s

- classes will continue nonstop until they stop for the year.
- the wait for an offer of a class date will not exceed 180 days for anyone currently in the pool.
- interviews will be put off, with vague future dates (fall)

Other speculation
- our inside guys are busy
- the #s are not gonna be spectacular, but good enough for them to press ahead with the "A" plan. They still do it cautiously, ready to turn off the flow in a second (a good reason to wait until the last second to offer class dates). I think things will be good based on the things we are seeing out of SWA: buying new gates, taking airplane deliveries etc. But I don't think they'll be great based on some load factor reports I've seen, some stock analyst stuff I've seen and my general belief that the Pax still aren't 100% back. I think SWA will expand on anything other than rotten news because they want to be possitioned when the recovery really starts gathering steam.

Be careful about asking me for speculation

 

[T1bubba]

Here's the press release. First MDW to SEA and OAK, then MDW to LAX, now MDW to SAN- looks like most of the growth is going into long haul flights.

I think Ivauir is right about the classes, SWA just likes to keep all their options open as long as possible.

T1bubba


Southwest Announces Further Growth Plans; Airline Plans More New Flights for June

DALLAS, March 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In a continuing effort to
cautiously grow the airline, Southwest Airlines' (NYSE: LUV) officials today
announced the carrier will add five new daily flights to its schedule in June.
The new service will be made possible by two previously deferred
deliveries of aircraft from The Boeing Co. The June deliveries will allow the
airline to begin three new nonstop flights between Chicago Midway and San
Diego. Southwest also will add two additional nonstop flights between Phoenix
and Orange County.
With these two additional aircraft, Southwest will have accepted delivery
of 14 aircraft in 2002, bringing its fleet to a total of 366 Boeing 737
aircraft. These 14 aircraft are part of the 19 aircraft deliveries deferred
last fall.
On June 9, 2002, Southwest will initiate new nonstop service between
Chicago Midway and San Diego with three daily nonstop flights. A seven-day
advance purchase fare of $89 each way based on a roundtrip purchase is
available on this new nonstop service through June 9.
On the same day, Southwest also will add two daily nonstop flights between
Phoenix and Orange County, bringing to five the total of daily nonstop
roundtrip flights between the two cities.

 

[InHot]

Hey, I love it. Good speculation!

I'm betting on the "good" scenario.

I believe SWA does want to be poised for the boom when it comes, yet they want to do it with their usual conservative approach (don't jump unless you know how deep the water is).

While this approach can be maddening for those of us waiting to come aboard, it's one of the reasons SWA has always been in my crosshairs. They make sound, deliberate business decisions based on empirical data.

On the other hand... The CEO of my previous company embarked on a growth strategy based upon the world as he saw it in 1999...

He then stuck his head in the sand as the economy rolled inverted and pulled 6 g's. It wasn't until we pancaked that he pulled his head out in time to tell the bankruptcy judge he was the guy to take the company out of bankruptcy because he's had so much experience with CH 11!

And he still has a job!

So, I'll wait, I'll speculate and eventually I'll get hired... for the last time.

Gotta LUV it!

 

[ATKTK]

To all of you out there keeping those of us in the pool informed....Thanks! It is definately the food for survival as we wait for the chance to catch that dream job.

I have been treading water since early August 2001 and must admit the skin is definately wrinkled. But coming back to this page and finding info like this keeps me above water.

Now for those of you with a crystal ball, I'd love to hear your prediction on when I might see a class. To help you out a bit, I'll let you know I'm currently a product of the greatest Air Force on earth and consequently, I've been asked to stick around a bit longer to help out this great country. With Stop/Loss controlling my life, the future is uncertain. But I have been extremely impressed with SWA and JM as she reassures me every month when I make my call that the company still plans on holding a spot for me. You've got to luv SWA.

 

[ivauir]

ATKTK's Release

ATKTK,
If you are current and qualified in the U2 I think your emancipation is a long way off. I think the almighty USAF is harder to read than SWA - but I think afsc with 11's in them might start getting released this fall. One year is a nice round number and works out awfully close to the fiscal year ...

Best of luck - fly safe!

 

[xhercdriver]

Conflicting info from the "inside"...

Our class had breakfast with Colleen and Jim (yes, that Colleen and Jim) yesterday. General attitude was very upbeat, but current quarter is very uncertain.

"Good" rumors from the training department:

--Training center instructor staff is going from about 60 to 100 instructors this year (by January).

--Two new -700 sims on the way (not a rumor, the empty spots on the floor are quite visible)

--Additional new jets being brought back from the desert

"Bad" rumors from the training department:

--Additional classes after April "on hold" until first quarter results are evaluated

--April class cancelled (?)

All those are total rumors, unsubstantiated by anyone "in the know," except for the new sims and new jets, which are pretty much confirmed. The March 15 class started arriving today, and we've seen little troops of "interview clones" walking back and forth for the last two weeks, so things still look like "business as usual"...




--

 

[InHot]

ATKTK,

We used to say (tongue in cheek) "It's a privilege to serve."

May I say now it's a privilege to be in the pool with those who are currently serving our country.

I regret it delays your being added to the SWA seniroity list, but I do thank-you for serving our country when needed.

In DAL beer's on me for anyone who's served since 911.

Semper Fi

P.S. You must be an old fart, reference the T-39 time!

 

[ATKTK]

In Hot!
Yes....I'm an old fart. 22 years and counting of privileged service!
Looking forward to DAL.

 

[chase]

Macro vs. Micro View

I realize when one is looking at no paycheck or little paycheck the micro view is all one can deal with & my following comments are meant to provide long term hope but not necessarily short-term relief. However, for those in the pool your time will come soon. For those waiting the results of the DB the following news doesn't improve your chances but does illustrate why you're wise to continue pursue SWA over other airlines. However, getting food on the table is a priority regardless of which airline!

1. More routes shows optimism by the company vs. pessimism. There's plenty of that out there. We're adding new routes not instituting old ones that had been reduced like other airlines. We will build on the routes & make long haul a bigger portion (more profitable portion) of our overall financial picture.

2. Airport expansions to conclude within the next 12 months. HOU, MDW, BWI all major hubs = more orginating flights to more destinations. Airport expansions are the long pole in the tent which can limit growth. No longer a factor at these hubs. Other hubs allow for a lot more growth (DAL n/a).

3. Airports that desire more SWA are buying back gates from airlines that are underutilizing them. MSY, RDU, LAX, others. Definitely a trend that airports are seizing on to control their own destiny vs. allowing airlines that are hurting bringing down an airport. Controlling the gates allow them to provide gates to low cost carriers like us, JB, ATA, ATr. Definitely seems to be a trend when reading recent news articles.

4. As noted in previous post, expanding training facilities; sims, instructors, the building will be expanded with the next 18 (guestimates) months to allow for even more sims! Obviously those can be put on hold since ground hasn't been broken but the plans are there.

5. SWA raised $350m+ last month through bond sales. Why would a company obligate itself for more debt (relatively low cost debt) when it still has a lot of cash on hand? It takes money to make money! Having one's money (not all of it but a larger portion than necessary) sitting around & not doing anything with it doesn't generate cash for cash sakes. Therefore, take some of one's own + other folk's cheap money & use it to fund a controlled but steady growth which will return profits off the money borrowed or that would've sat around collecting dust!! Whali, eureka, you have continued but aggressive growth funded by realitively inexpensive money with alot of cash still available in case of emergency.

6. SWA prides itself on treating everyone like they like to be treated. It is reasonable to have a slight pause (maybe a month, maybe just several weeks) to allow the PD & training to catch up to the number of folks recently interviewed/trained. Going to fast without proper absorbtion into the system can frustrate a lot of folks. Remember, everyone, EVERYONE, have been under a lot of stress; Jenn, Heather, Amanda, everyone in the PD, training, interviewers, etc. They all may need a lull for awhile. Just my thoughts. Don't have any idea on how valid this paragraph may be but I believe it may have.

7. 14 of 19 planes to be delivered by June from delayed deliveries from last year. 7 more aircraft scheduled for 2002 deliveries above these. That would be 26 airplanes for the year.

8. What if 1st qtr is a lost? Will SWA stop growing? No. What better time to show huge expenditures to get them out of the way than in what is normally the toughest qtr of the yr, the 1st? Would it break our record? yes but is the record more important than have future gains that would exceed current expectations? I would say go ahead & make rational expenditures & look beyond what is good for one quarter. Now is not the time to be timid when it comes to taking advantage of growth opportunities.

Hang in there to all. More good news will be coming. To all searching for jobs, not just with SWA good luck & God Bless. cheers

 

[Slug]

Thanks Chase

 

[727driver]

My 2 cents

I think one of the reasons that SWA has added more nonstop flights at Midway, i.e. Phoenix, Seattle, San Deigo, San Fran is to compete with ATA.

In the past it seemed the two carriers coexisted at MDW with ATA flying the longer nonstops and SWA the direct but with stops flights. Customers prefere direct nonstop flights and SWA is responding. Especially since ATA has ambitious plans to grow at MDW with a brand new fleet of 737-800s and 757-300s.

SWA does not want ATA to grow their market share and take over an important hub.

 

[Slug]

Confirmed by rumor

727 driver is right on. a friend of mine in a feb class gave me a synopsis of what one of the VPs for route structure said. Basically SWA is going after market share specifically against ATA at MDW. They are adding routes common between the carriers to basically low ball them out of business. From what the VP said, ATA has a hard time competing head to head, so SWA was adding those routes specifically.

slug

1. deny, deny, deny
2. start rumors
3. make counter accusations