SWA aircraft deliveries and retirements

[FlyBoeingJets]

SWA aircraft deliveries and retirements (Pilot & Acft)

Contractual Obligations and Contingent Liabilities and Commitments


Southwest has contractual obligations and commitments primarily for future purchases of aircraft, payment of debt, and lease arrangements. Following the receipt of 37 new 737-700 aircraft from Boeing in the first nine months of 2004, the Company has 10 737-700 aircraft deliveries for the remainder of 2004. The Company also has firm commitments for the purchase of 34 new 737-700 aircraft to be delivered in 2005.

The following table details the Company's current (as of September 30, 2004) firm orders...

*2004* 47
-2005 34
-2006 23

Does anyone know how many aircraft will be retired in '05 and '06?

I know the net added aircraft for '04 is 29 for fleet total of 417.

I remember that about 5 -200s will be retired in January.

Also, anyone know the pilot retirement numbers?


Thanks,

FBJ

 

[enigma]

I just heard that SWA has a deal to purchase another 30 or so round dial 300s from Airways. Apparently they were originally Piedmont birds.

enigma

 

[StopNTSing]

I just heard that SWA has a deal to purchase another 30 or so round dial 300s from Airways. Apparently they were originally Piedmont birds.

enigma

Geeze, I hope not. The hand-me-downs we've received from Morris, West Pac, AirCal (AA), and others have never been up to par with the rest of the fleet in terms of mechanical issues. I don't know how much life those U -300s have left in them. While the near-term growth would be great, I'm clinging to the hope that any extra aircraft will be -700s.

 

[Snoopy58]

The 5 -200's in January are the only planned retirements for a few years. I've heard an official date that the -300's start retiring, but I've forgotten it. It wasn't close -- certainly not 2005 and I don't think 2006.

There has been talk of the possibility of getting the U round-dial birds; if there is a signed deal, then enigma got the word before I did (gotta talk to Herb about that -- second time this week that's happened!).

As for retirements, I'm looking at an old seniority list, and it shows about 100 1945 birthdates on it, but some of them have retired early between the time that list was published and now. Of course, some number of guys will retire early during 2005, so 90 to 100 is probably about right.

 

[TexaSWA]

I just heard that SWA has a deal to purchase another 30 or so round dial 300s from Airways. Apparently they were originally Piedmont birds.

enigma

I have heard this too. I speculate that it will be a short term deal until we can find more or Boeing can build more -700s.

Has anyone heard the latest on howmany -200s are left and when they will finally be gone?

 

[apdsm]

I think the last -200 leaves in January.

 

[SWA/FO]

I thought we were getting ATA options at Boeing?

 

[N1atEcon]

A CP told us 4 days ago that there are thirty round dials from USAire that are looking good. He said the maintenance was good and they were talking to the leasing company's or company. There were a few more but they had a D check coming due so they said "no" to those..

 

[Indapool]

*4 classes confirmed for Jan alone*Persistant rumors from CP's, training center, check airmen of 600-750 pilots in 05
*Huge growth in MDW
*PHL is a MAJOR priority
*Wright Amendment is in play which would grow the DAL base BIG TIME


Thats a HEL LUV A lot of cowboys that are gonna need horses to ride.

Yea we might need a few more airplanes

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

How it looks to me...

Facts or near certainties:

1. HQ has been telling new hire classes that the last -200 is gone in January.

2. 34-5 (200s) =
29 planes in 2005

3. 23 planes in 2006

Juicy Rumors:

4. USAir jets--That would depend on many things. I'm glad to here we may get some. Even with serious Company focus on them, they still may not make it on the property. I'll believe it when it's formally announced.

5. ATA options--Interesting, but didn't hear about that as being in the deal. Maybe it is I'm ignorant of it. Maybe Boeing is hoping we want them.



Snoopy58--

If HQ says no more -300 retirements for awhile I believe them. I just can't
remember the specifics on that. Thanks!!

N1atEcon--

Thanks. CP thoughts are good to hear. I hope we follow up the idea with a purchase/lease.

Indapool--

600-750...Umm...maybe. Depends on a lot. Just because we have established a capability to do it doesn't mean the stars are aligning to make it happen. I'm looking for the underlying reasons why we would hire that many. ATA codeshare may REDUCE some growth, but getting 6 gates increases it. Not getting more gates soonest at PHL is now offset by the 6 gates at MDW. IF...the City of Chicago approves it.

 

[Phil O'Sopher]

Word is first -300 retirements in 2008;

30 or so -300's (USAIR ) leased until Boeing can crank out more 700s probably by converting the cancelled -800 AA positions on the assembly line to -700s;

SWA is not interested in buying any more clapped-out classics;

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

Eureka!! I found the SWAPA retirement calculator. I also realized retirement information is only useful if you know how many ABOVE you are retiring. Man its tough being a newhire. They tried to sell me an elevator pass at the training center.

Retirements starting in '05:

-- averages 120/year for 5 years
-- averages 130/year the next 5 years

I now see where everyone gets the 600-700 aircraft and 7000-7700 pilot info.

The assumption is options get converted to firm orders. Traditionally conservative at SWA. I guess I'll just have to wait until the quarterly announcements to get hard info.


BTW, a Fedex friend says retirements over there will be 1000 over the next 5 years!!

 

[SWA tech]

Last -200 going away Jan 15 or the 16 2005 big party at the hanger.

 

[SWA GUY]

Apparently there is a big pajama party at the hangar in Big D for the last -200. Personally I think we ought to put one of the -200's on a stick outside the G.O.

Come everybody, we're going streaking!!!

 

[bigguy]

Apparently there is a big pajama party at the hangar in Big D for the last -200. Personally I think we ought to put one of the -200's on a stick outside the G.O.

Come everybody, we're going streaking!!!

Hey, I heard that SWA really sucks to work for! Is this true?

 

[Indapool]

Yup...sucks..BIG TIME

Don't work here..you'll hate it


"They tried to sell me an elevator pass at the training center."
But it is Payroll deductable

 

[intel33]

What's a "D check"

Obviously a major inspection, but when is it done and what is involved that makes it more costly than the plane is worth?

 

[OPNLguy]

As of 1/4/2005, there are 5 -200s left; N82SW, N83SW, N94SW, N95SW, and N96SW. I've heard various rumors about when the last -revenue- flight will be, but nobody knows. One rumor is that they could all come off the line between the 10th and 15th and only be used as spares, thus we might not know when the last revenue flight is until is already happened. This would explain why the emphasis is on N95SW's last hop (with 95 non-revs) on January 17th.

I second the motion to plant N95SW (or maybe N96SW, in Canyon Blue) on a big post out in from of the HDQ flag poles... Make sure they tilt the nose about 30 degrees left and 10 degrees nose up to scare the crap out of any transient aircraft on short final for 13R...