SWA Intel

[scrub]

Hey this was supposed to be kept on the down low!

 

[redflyer65]

The General will keep re-hashing his 'Southwest can't do anything' mantra as long as he can.

The other thing that most people don't know is that ETOPS work has been well underway already. Hawaii and Alaska are almost a definite. I see Europe and beyond down the road.

It could easily be run as a seperate international ops setup, fed by 3200 daily domestic flights. Timeline is a little bit more questionable. Gary has always pointed to 2012 being a big year for us. Plus the additional hiring of 200 more pilots now instead of the original 100. Thing are looking up.

RF

 

[dicko]

The General will keep re-hashing his 'Southwest can't do anything' mantra as long as he can.

The other thing that most people don't know is that ETOPS work has been well underway already. Hawaii and Alaska are almost a definite. I see Europe and beyond down the road.

It could easily be run as a seperate international ops setup, fed by 3200 daily domestic flights. Timeline is a little bit more questionable. Gary has always pointed to 2012 being a big year for us. Plus the additional hiring of 200 more pilots now instead of the original 100. Thing are looking up.

RF

Agreed.

The training guy who manages our 'ETOPS light' (60 minute exemption) has been liaising with the SWA ETOPS team. He was shocked that SWA was using 16 people to work on it. We used an intern, a ball of string and a gifted monkey.

 

[Skyboy722]

Plus the additional hiring of 200 more pilots now instead of the original 100. Thing are looking up.

RF

Where'd you hear this?

 

[redflyer65]

Where'd you hear this?

Sorry, I might have jumped the gun on that, it's pure rumor at this point but just what I'm hearing. When I get more solid info I will post it here.

RF

 

[Secret Squirrel]

Agreed.

The training guy who manages our 'ETOPS light' (60 minute exemption) has been liaising with the SWA ETOPS team. He was shocked that SWA was using 16 people to work on it. We used an intern, a ball of string and a gifted monkey.

I don't believe you for a second. There is no way Airtran would allocate a whole ball of string.

 

[Runningdog]

Did it look something like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFGyq1xcKEU

I couldn't resist!

 

[dicko]

I don't believe you for a second. There is no way Airtran would allocate a whole ball of string.

Apologies.

I failed to mention that the ball of string was not new. It was borrowed from the union offices. The ball of string has seen previous service during games of 'tie me up' that MEC officers enjoy after lunch on Tuesdays.

 

[Secret Squirrel]

Plus the monkey spends most of his time in crew scheduling.

 

[ALSF 2]

I must admit, when the CEO states in our public in-flight magazine that the -800's will open us up to markets like Hawaii, Alaska, and the Caribbean...I am sure that the leases are already signed. This company does not do or say ANYTHING like that unless the contracts are signed, and they know the costs.

As as side note, there is an interesting rumor "on the line" about our ETOPS planning. Since we picked up those three -700's from Virgin Blue (ETOPS equipped) a few months back, no one has really seen them. I'm sure there out there, but I haven't run across a crew that has flown one. The rumor is that we are "well into the process for ETOPS certification" and have used those aircraft for it. There seem to be plenty of guys out there that have buddies at other carriers that "swear we saw a SWA painted aircraft at an FBO in Hawaii"

ALL TOTAL RUMORS! But it makes for good bar talk. I does make sense to get as much done as possible with the ETOPS stuff, and the finish it off when the -800's get here next year. Enjoy!

Cheers!!

 

[GhettoBeechjet]

I have seen the 3 airplanes on the line several times now and flew one last week FWIW

 

[FIREMAN]

AT has 22 737s equipped for ETOPS

 

[MTV]

AT has 22 737s equipped for ETOPS

Equipped for ETOPS does not mean much.

MTV

 

[FIREMAN]

Equipped for ETOPS does not mean much.

MTV

It will when SWA gets them, along with their ETOPS.

 

[ATRCAPT]

HNL definitely. ANC probably. Europe? If I never do that again it will be too soon. I would be very shocked/worried if GK started collecting wide bodies....well, other than the F/A's...