Replacement AC SWA 717 to DL

[Daddy]

This, of course, assuming the Int'l Res system comes up on-schedule and with an outside vendor being utilized, there's no reason to think it won't.

With all due respect, Lear....we all have EVERY reason to believe this will not happen on schedule. SWA's IT capability (or lack thereof) has been crippling this company for years. They have consistently failed to fix this Achilles heel for years. It is an embarrassment that a company of this size and status is so inept with IT. You will be amazed when you come over how much of a bare bones operation it is at SWA IT-wise. I fully expect a fumble on the one yard line on this one....I will be shocked if it is up and running and working on time.

 

[Lear70]

This, of course, assuming the Int'l Res system comes up on-schedule and with an outside vendor being utilized, there's no reason to think it won't.

With all due respect, Lear....we all have EVERY reason to believe this will not happen on schedule. SWA's IT capability (or lack thereof) has been crippling this company for years. They have consistently failed to fix this Achilles heel for years. It is an embarrassment that a company of this size and status is so inept with IT. You will be amazed when you come over how much of a bare bones operation it is at SWA IT-wise. I fully expect a fumble on the one yard line on this one....I will be shocked if it is up and running and working on time.

What amazes me is that the SWA IT department is literally, and I'm not kidding here, 100 TIMES the size of AAI's IT department. I'm assuming it's because SWA developed and owns (and must maintain) all the (current) computer programs it is utilizing but, still one wonders whether the overhead in terms of cost of employees, etc, is worth not using outside vendors like we do.

We've heard that Sabre can't handle the flight load (they do just fine with AA so I somewhat question that), and other reasons why, but it still seems strange.

That said, the only reason I think it MIGHT happen somewhat on-schedule is that they are using an outside vendor. It's not being developed by SWA IT, it's being developed by someone else. Now whether they can IMPLEMENT the system timely is the big question in my mind, but that's down the road a ways...

 

[Daddy]

I can virtually guarantee that if the SWA IT department is even peripherally involved, that it will be an unmitigated disaster.

 

[CHQ Pilot]

From talking with some IT people, it seems it is the SWA computer system that is the problem and not the people. They are doing their best to work with a system that should have been replaced in the early 90s. SWA is so heavily invested on a non-upgradeable system, that to change is a monumental task. Just to keep up has pushed the system to points that it was never designed. Something has to change, but I don't think it's going to be painless when it does.

 

[RIDETHELIGHTING]

Lear. I was told yesterday that 8 to 10 b737 will go over in 2013. leaving around 30 -32 planes left to transfer over in 2014. That's from the Trn. Dept. too. So looks like there should be Trn. Slots for both airplanes for the rest of the year. But who really knows.

 

[Lear70]

Lear. I was told yesterday that 8 to 10 b737 will go over in 2013. leaving around 30 -32 planes left to transfer over in 2014. That's from the Trn. Dept. too. So looks like there should be Trn. Slots for both airplanes for the rest of the year. But who really knows.

Yep, sounds pretty close. From what we were told, they were waiting to start the take over of the SJU base before they pulled the trigger on a firm number of 737's for 2013.

The first class bid for 2013 just closed last week. The rest of MCO will shut down sometime between July and September (I'm guessing the latter), with a few 737 classes until the 717's start going away, then mostly 717 guys who bid 737 F/O with a few 737 people thrown in through the Spring and early Summer.

At least, that's what the training flow from Russ M shows and still is being adhered to. All subject to change, of course.

 

[Citrusflyer]

The odd part (one of them) is the 737 (CA/FO) to 717 (CA/FO) back to 737 SWA FO. Don't see how that works, according to the 'current' plan. The 717 is drawing down faster than the 737. The 717 sim time is vanishing (as of March) down to almost nothing available. Yet the plan plainly states that those who bid off the 737 to the 717 will complete training on the 717 prior to being allowed over the fence to SWA (back to the 737). Someone see something I don't?

 

[Lear70]

We'll see what they do. I have my bets and I've expressed them to counsel and our MEC Chairman, but we'll see what actually happens.

 

[scoreboardII]

Ok, so what are they...

 

[4day]

Anyone thought about the SIM time problem. DELTA wants all the SIM time starting in FEB, we still have to do PC/PT for the 717 with 30% RSV coverage and train all the guys who will come back to the 717 for a few months then retrain on the 737. Is there only 3 SIM's left or am I wrong? I don't see DELTA training from 12-4am. That will be the new Airtran train slot.