Southwest Training

[jetvison]

So i'm off to Dallas for training. Can anyone give me a good idea of what to expect? I am coming from the Airtran side. What is the schedule like? What monthly guarantee do training pilots get? Does the spouse still come for the first few days? Just all the good info please. Please don't spin off into the AirTran vs Southwest crap, not interested in that stuff. Thanks

 

[humveedriver]

So i'm off to Dallas for training. Can anyone give me a good idea of what to expect? I am coming from the Airtran side. What is the schedule like? What monthly guarantee do training pilots get? Does the spouse still come for the first few days? Just all the good info please. Please don't spin off into the AirTran vs Southwest crap, not interested in that stuff. Thanks

What annoys me is that after 18 months of transitions these questions are still being asked. You will get a packet with a lot info 30 days out. They should do a mass briefing for all pilots via FLiCA.

- Weekends off (not holidays, unless its a major one)
-89 TFP plus full per diem (Ill look up my pay stub later)
- Spouse is in class with you day one and gets a tour with other spouses day two. Day 1 admin, Day 2 walking around for the spouses.

I should mention after 18 months they must really enjoy going over the pay with the spouses and the pilots. Try as they might, they can't tell you how much you are going to get. The whole advance pay and going from 10th and 25th to 5th and 20th really messes things up somehow. Having sat in in two classes where this was presented I've seen some bewildered looks and upset spouses. I spoke to the training department about coming up with a better plan. Not sure if that has happened. That's why I don't mind putting my take home on FI.Com. Because no one will tell you from payroll. That was my only beef with training. 60 days is long if don't live in DAL. If you aren't savy commuting, I can PM some pointers or just put them here.

 

[jetvison]

Sorry to annoy you, but I don't spend much time on this site. Frankly there is not a ton of communication on the AitTran side about this stuff. People just kind of disappear after going to training. Thanks for the info you provided.

 

[madjack]

Your going through what every other SWA pilot went through...sans probation And a 10k bill for a type...

 

[humveedriver]

Sorry to annoy you, but I don't spend much time on this site. Frankly there is not a ton of communication on the AitTran side about this stuff. People just kind of disappear after going to training. Thanks for the info you provided.

LOL. You made my point (I'm not annoyed with you, just the union and the company for not being very informative about the transition process). I just can't believe that they aren't more proactive with communication on the transition. It has been a black hole, until you get to DAL. Just seems like they could send everyone's welcome packet now. Even get some of the paperwork done. But like MJ said. They just treat it like new hire training. Even though the AT pay checks have said SWA for over a year. Here is the pay routine;

Starting class at the beginning of the month seems to work best for them from a payroll standpoint. Though pretty soon that's gonna have to change. Your first 2 pay checks while on SWA property will come from AT (AT rates). The big check and then your base salary, that's month number one.

I was also paid 173.20 by SWA on the 19th of month 1. No idea why? Travel pay? Carry in from last trip at AT? Doesn't say what it is for on my pay stub (says "other").

Month 2 in training you get paid Southwest rates (if your an AT FO you are thinking finally!). Your new pay dates are the 5th and 20th. Month 2 on the 5th you will get what they call the crew advance. $ 6300 for a 12 year FO. Take home was 4518.40 after taxes and elected deductions. Next comes the big check on the 20th. I was paid 41.67 TFP or 5535.44 and 1496.40 in per diem. Take home was $5027.84.

Month 3 you should see to much easier to read pay stubs. You will see the advance on the 5th (3,976.15 take home, less because 401k started) and 89 TFP clearly marked training on the 20th (4631.79 take home, again 401k deduction). They pay you the full 89 TFP on the 20th and then subtract the advance from the 5th. Why do they do it this way? That is one of life's mysteries. After month 3 it's game on. Fly your tail off.

Explaining the 401K is a whole other thread. Also a lot of things (like viewing the pay stubs on SWA life) are not windows 8 friendly. Good luck. I hope this is useful. Feel free to post this on the AT forum if you think it would help.

* apologies to anyone who finds posting earnings crass. But quality information to negotiate a 3 month period of flux is not being provided internally.

 

[jetvison]

Thank you. Very helpfull.

 

[Secret Squirrel]

What year on pay scale are you?

 

[Daddy]

Spouse is optional...I didn't bring mine. Set your 401K at 10% so you get the full 9.3% match. Do Pilot Mutual Aid...once you opt out you can't get back in. Don't do the life insurance...if you get sick, it drops after you drop off the rolls and your family gets nothing. AD&D is a good deal. Choice Plus medical if you have a family and you use medical/RX coverage....it's in the high 200's/month now. Dental is good. We do vision insurance but never use it so it's probably a waste. Don't study ahead...it's an airliner with gear, flaps, engines and wheels...no big deal.

 

[StopNTSing]

Brush up on your six-pack scan. The classics are sticking around for a while longer, especially if you desire DAL or HOU as your base.

 

[humveedriver]

What year on pay scale are you?

12 year.