Retired SWA pool rats

[jball2]

From the desk of the Jball:

-Wore the same suit the first 2 days with different shirt and tie

-Business casual: by the end of ground school it means just don't wear shorts

-I dont have a zip out liner but my coat does get warm in the winter and HOT as spring approaches so consider getting it to make you cooler

-Have too much fun at the party but don't be late. I suffered the next day but I did show up on time!

-DO NOT STUDY TOO MUCH! You'll drive yourself crazy as well as everyone else.

-HAVE FUN, it 's all PAYROLL DEDUCTABLE!

 

[pegasus]

w8n4swa,

Docs handed out at the end of day 1.
Color of pubs bag...all our class have black ones but no-one said they couldn't be brown.
See ya soon

 

[corndog]

Reference the FOM: SWA prefers you have a black bag, (at least that is what it said not too long ago), but it is not necessary. If you already have a brown one I would not purchase a new black one until you have paid for everything else you need.

Corndog.

 

[dogg]

Flight mgmnt at SWA is brilliant, bringin in the wives and getting them all warm and fuzzy. Nothin like knowing that the wives of the pilots are all on the companies side when contracts are up for negotiation.. I am surprized that other airlines have not started using the same tactic. No wonder they are still makin money. They are just plain smarter.......

 

[JayDub]

Dogg,

Delta did the same thing. They'd even have some sort of banquet or something where they'd bring the guys up on a stage and announce them as "Captain XXX" (because it was just a matter of time, and they were hiring 'Captains'). Less than a year later these folks were pounding bricks. Don't know about the other Majors out there. I know as a National, jetBlue lets you bring a wife these days.

Delta also put on a shin-dig for upgrades. No word on a dinner for when they got bumped, though.


JayDub

 

[LiveFreeorDie]

Here's another one for Poolies

So I am bumping up all these great "What to expect" posts.

 

[firstthird]

fine job bumping these posts LiveFreeorDie. I had forgotten most of this stuff and probably wouldn't have been smart enough to think to go find it on my own. But now I'm confused about the leather jacket zip in /zip out liner question. If you don't get a removable liner, does that mean you have no liner whatsoever (i.e. not as hot in the summer) or that you are stuck with a non-removable liner all the time?

 

[pegasus]

If I remember correctly, a non removable liner means you can't unzip it. A removable liner means you can.
Despite previous posts, I have done some walkrounds in MDW and the removable liner is invaluable. GET IT. Unless you are very, very fat. Then don't bother
If not on Atkins, don't forget gloves, scarf, hot water bottle,.......

 

[Pinto]

Pub bag

First, thanks for all the great info.
OK for clueless military guys, who makes the best pub bag? Does Southwest sell one? Thanks, Pinto

 

[PTinbound]

Geez, you can spot those military guys a mile away .
Get the jumbo flight kit from Scottleather.com
Get the good one and you'll never look back.

 

[RightBettor]

I will probably catch some cr@p from the guys that bought the Scott Leather products, and I kick myself for not doing what I should have done. Bottom line: I got the "other" pub case from the school house from LuggageWorks... it $uck$, don't buy it!

That being said, I still don't think you need to spend $400 on a Scott Leather chart case. What I should have done is get the 18" or 20" Korchmar case. I've used them before and they're great (didn't use my old Korchmar for SWA because I had the 16" case from working at SkyWest and it doesn't fit too much stuff, albiet perfect in an EMB-120, SWA pubs require more room.)

Korchmar cases can be bought online through several vendors. And here's the best part. They are called "Catalog Cases." Apparently when you market these things as "Pilot Chart Cases" you can mark up the price to close to $400!! But if you call it a "Catalog Case" (for business types) they'll run you about $250. I can just see an exchange between you (new SWA pilot) and a salesman in a store: You - "Hi, I'd like to buy a catalog case." Sales guy - "Sure! We have these really nice leather cases for $250." You - "Great, I'll take it! That'll work perfect in the cockpit." Sales guy - "Oh, are you a pilot? Well, we will have to charge you $400 for that 'pilot' case."

Enough ranting... here are some links:

http://www.1stdiscountluggage.com/korleatspecc.html

http://www.casestore.com/detail.asp?i=15 (best price online, so far)

http://www.casestore.com/detail.asp?i=16 (this one is the 20" for extra $$$)

http://www.ebags.com/product_detail/index.cfm?ModelID=17041# (from E-bags... good company discount. Just wait until you get your employee number before ordering.)

http://www.ebags.com/product_detail/index.cfm?ModelID=17030 (this is a great price... a bit big for the guppy though)

http://shopluggageplanet.safeshopper.com/168/1740.htm?522

Happy shopping and just remember... this advice is free and you probably got what you paid for.

 

[canyonblue]

As far as getting a rollerbag, the obvious choice is a Purdy Neat Stuff bag (now Luggageworks). They hold up well and you can usually stuff them full. My only regret is not getting the "737" Bag. It is 1" narrower than the others and would fit in the -500 and -300 easier. Other than that they are the BEST!

The site for the "737" Bag...........................
http://www.luggageworksonline.com/product.asp?CatID=1

 

[ivauir]

I went a different route on most of this stuff. I bought a hard sided Samsonite for $100 at the grapevine mall. Not only is it cheaper but the Capt's bag rolls really easilly over it. The times when I have shown up and the Capt's bag was already stowed I almost always end up pulling it out and putting mine on the bottom because those pudri neats are a pain. Also, in CLE this month my stuff stayed dry and clean as we treked through the slush and muck - with a soft sided bag....

For a pubs bag I used one I was issued in the USAF. If barely holds the required stuff - but it was paid for. I held off on the jacket until the winter months - I almost waited too long! I wish I had sprung for the noise cancelling headset; they've taken it off of payroll deduct and I am not happy with the ear mold thing. Almost every Capt uses a head set.

Welcome POOLIES! See you in March or April!

 

[LiveFreeorDie]

SHHHHHhhhhhh! Beware Hi Jackers

RightBettor! Don't mention the "EMB" word on this thread! Next thing you know ole lowecur will be all over this thread ranting about how we better not buy the 737 bag cause when SWA buys the "EMB-whatevers" the new poolies luggage will no longer fit!


Oh no! I just mentioned it for him. Ahhhhhhh......

 

[box]

Rollerbags

Costco sells a rollerbag made of ballistic nylon material for just over $100. It is very ruggedly made and has a lifetime warranty - Costco will replace it if it breaks. It fits no problem under the jumpseat in the 300/500/700's. I have also seen a lot of the F/A's with them, and I have heard no complaints. Hope this helps.