Next Southwest Class after October?

[Mickey D]

Does anybody have any reliable information on the next class date at Southwest after the October class? I read a rumour somewhere on this board yesterday about classes stopping until June '08 after the Oct. class. Has anyone been able to confirm this (God, I hope not!)?

 

[ivauir]

I doubt it, we usually heat up in the new year so that we have new hires to cover the summer while the senior dudes go on vacation. having the first class in June makes no sense. If age 60 doesn't change there will be a lot of retirements next year, so even if we delay more deliveries I expect several classes in the spring.

 

[Tanker Clown]

My friend (DAL Capt) says that classes are going to be put off until June to prepare for a "big announcement." He is hearing that it's an aquisition (Air Tran) and they therefore need the training center open to train all the 717 guys that will be moving to SWA.

He's pretty in the know...but you guys can still take it for what it's worth. He knew about the LAS base about 6 months prior to the announcement.

 

[ivauir]

No offense, but people in the know don't talk ... t like how you think though ...

 

[328dude]

Air Tran? Not likely. My guess would be Alaska if we bought anybody which is also unlikely. More presence in Washignton and can add Mexico to the routes.

 

[Charlie Brown]

Tanker Clown knows what he is talking about...you'll see.

 

[CF34-3B1]

Does this mean the 717 guys are gonna get to go to LBB?

 

[lineflyer1]

Why would SWA even think about buying an airline with 87 B717's. Makes no sense according to their past strategys.

 

[CF34-3B1]

I don't think we are buying AT, but if we DO, getting rid of the 717s wouldn't be all that tough. I'm sure we could (or maybe already HAVE) make a deal with Boeing for them. Also, if you remember, we operated 727's for a while, back in the day. Stranger things have happened.

 

[Falcon Jet 1]

sell the 717s to nwa

 

[RogerMOSA]

If Tanker Clown is prescient, and a merger goes down, what would be the disposition of 300+ poolrats? Swimmers what to know....

RM

 

[Tanker Clown]

It's not like 717's are not an asset. Do they fit the model...no, but they are worth something. There are buyers for them. Remember the Frontier rumors? They don't operate a single 73, but they are still an option.

Southwest execs have been seen in Atlanta. It makes sense. Air Tran is the only airline that operates as cheaply as SWA. They share much of the same equipment....and best of all, they open up new markets (ATL for instance).

I hear that it's only a matter of time. Hence, no new SWA new hire classes until June. The real topic of this board is how is the seniority list going to be integrated?

 

[Tanker Clown]

If Tanker Clown is prescient, and a merger goes down, what would be the disposition of 300+ poolrats? Swimmers what to know....

RM

Depends on when the merger is finally a done deal. I'm hoping to get on with Air Tran (since SWA stopped interviews). I figure it's getting in thru the back door.

 

[Alcatraz]

Wouldn't it be ironic if airTran ended up selling their B717s to Midwest after a buyout by SWA?

I don't think there's much a chance at all of that happening, but it would be goofy...

"There will be no more discussion of rumors until the merger is complete!"

 

[lineflyer1]

I don't think we are buying AT, but if we DO, getting rid of the 717s wouldn't be all that tough. I'm sure we could (or maybe already HAVE) make a deal with Boeing for them. Also, if you remember, we operated 727's for a while, back in the day. Stranger things have happened.

Ok, but what about the 700 pilots that fly them?