Outlook for SWA?

[CHQ Pilot]

I see your points and I had the same questions when I started.

1. Can't greet the pax as they exit/enter the A/C. Where's the LUV?

After 3 trips it all fell into place. I have enough time to stand in the jetway and fold up strollers and help people with wheelchairs. I don't have any kids, but I never realized what kind of Rube Golderberg machines manufacturers came up with when designing strollers. I'm starting to get the pattern of push this button, fold this, latch this, and finally clip that.

2. You may have missed that bird strike because no one did the walk around and now MX is on the way 2 minutes prior to departure because they caught it, looked for the CA and took the logbook.

That's what the orange is for...birds can see us and know we're coming.

3. The CA, unfamilar with the airport programmed the wrong runway and the FO didn't review it. You fix it after T/O.

I hope the Captain is familiar with the airport. I mean we only have 63 cities (right now). In three months I made it to over 50 them, and I have still yet to see LBB, AMA, MAF, or HRL. Just hasn't been in my cards. Maybe someday though...

4. In a rush to run flows and checklists, no one entered the squak code.

It happens, but no more so when I did 45 min turns at the regionals. We're all human. I try to keep a good flow and there are a couple of checks in our briefings which allow you to catch it, so it's fairly rare.

5. You forgot the salsa for the FA's and they are salty.

Now, isn't that the truth. That's where you've got to be quick on your toes and have a secret stash of chocolate. At least you'll get some coffee or a Dr. Pepper on the next leg.

On the other hand, you don't get paid for sitting on the ground.

You're right about that. In addition to that it translates into more time off at home with decent pay.

I thought 25 minute turns were going to be tough, but SWA has pefected the system to the point that that I was part of a crew that turned an almost full aircraft in 18 mins to get back on schedule. I was a little amazed how it worked. It takes a lot of help from everyone, but it can be done.

 

[ivauir]

A level playing field will favor the network carriers. SWA used to be able to enjoy pricing power because it hedged fuel and the majors couldn't compete with low fares. As ticket prices rise, other carriers will put pressure on SWA. How much? We'll see.

In the past, as fuel prices rose, fares actually dropped as the airlines were trying to kill eachother over market share. I hope those days are behind us.

If you think that fuel hedging is the only thing that gives SWA its pricing power then you will continue to be shocked at our sucess.

 

[ivauir]

No. But you can put me on ignore. Please do so.

Bye Bye--General Lee

How about you just ignore threads that relate to SWA as you have nothing but ignorace to offer?

 

[ivauir]

FWIW.... General... I always get a chuckle out of your posts! The SWA guys as a group are absolutely scared to death to leave the CONUS... end of story.
Been there done that - and I have absolutly zero to prove to you.

Their fear is disguised as bravado... how they love Amarillo... or don't want to be caught dead in Sydney (because they're to far from home???...)

Fact is... international flying (ETOPS/alternate/ China/polar considerations) does add an element they're no doubt unfamiliar with but it's not Voodoo magic like many of them speak of.)

You think that a significant portion of our pilot population hasn't already done this? Fool.

International flying can be an absolute hoot (with a good crew, as anywhere) and is a great way to see the world and experience things you wouldn't otherwise stateside (pyramids, castles, pubs, cathedrals, etc... ad nauseum)

Personally, after having been privileged to visit over 80 countries/territories SO FAR... I wouldn't trade it for the world! I think I am blessed to have a much broader perspective on world events than some of my neighbors.

YMMV,

BBB

BBB, I'm really happy you like what you do. It is a shame you feel the need to denigrate what someone else does in order to feel good about your self. Get a shrink.

 

[ivauir]

Yeah, but the chicks dig our Russian Boat Commander uniforms. They swoon when they think we are going to CONQUER THE SKIES!! It looks professional, rather than James Dean-ish.

And, I would love to get off this topic, but anyone who slams me gets a retort. You know that is how I operate. Have a good night.

Bye Bye--General Lee

So now every one else is to blame for your behavior? Take some responsibility for your actions. Schedule a session with BBB's shrink.

 

[canyonblue]

I would say it goes like this for me............

Parking Checklist
Fill out DR
Enter times in logbook
Align IRS's
Program FMC
Enter cruise altitude and Landing elevation
Write down ATIS
Get Clearance
Enter Squawk code
Set up Radios
Set up Altitude and Courses
Set up OPC
Before Start flow

All of this done before passenger 137 left the airplane.

Follow the last passengers up the jetway to go for a walk. I'm not hungry since I ate before we left, and I'll be at my overnight in 4 hours and 20 minutes.

Now I also have occasionally had to change airplanes, and done that in :20. The real pain is when you have to sit for 1:30, it feels like 4 hours.

And the CA side, where you will spend most of your career, goes like this............

Call for Parking Checklist
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Before start flow

 

[328dude]

Call for Parking Checklist
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Before start flow

Aint that the truth. LMAO:laugh:

 

[klr1395]

I have seen several places that have mentioned the reduction from 34 down to 19 aircraft for 2008. Does that really mean 15 fewer new deliveries or that 15 of the older -300/500's that might need re-skinning get parked or sold?

 

[vixin]

It can mean many things. I think we are going to take the deliveries or sell the slots. Management has a lot of options. Park older 300/500's. Sell those planes. Give back the few planes that we are leasing. Take 15 out of service to reskin. Who knows exactly what they are going to do. They also ordered/converted options from 2009-2012. This is just a bump in the road. Plus we are in Section 6 talks now.

Another rumor was that ATA has or had 15 737's on hand. We reduce 15 for the year. They have 15 planes. Hmmm.

Airtran is still on the radar as well as others. One guy believes we have been in the reduction of staff mode to take on some new employees. We will all see what 2008 has in store for us.

 

[jhill]

Seems like he is the one providing facts, and you can't seem to debate him. Can you deny what he says about the routes, the turn times, the multiple leg days, or even the single aircraft type? Some people don't like those things. Let the personal attacks begin...

Yeah, but it's tough to debate a mastur debator like the General. He really gets his hands around the subject. At least a couple of fingers

 

[737tanker]

I have seen several places that have mentioned the reduction from 34 down to 19 aircraft for 2008. Does that really mean 15 fewer new deliveries or that 15 of the older -300/500's that might need re-skinning get parked or sold?

SWA deferred deliveries of 5 new airplanes. From what I've heard there are also 10 -300s with leases that are due for renewal in 2008. That would make the reduction of 15 aircraft.