SWA Int'l Ops

[ATRCA]

I've seen a great deal of talk about all the "Int'l" flying that Airtran does yet I don't think I've ever seen an AT aircraft anywhere but the Bahamas. Where does AT currently operate outside the US?

 

[scoreboardII]

If I recall, the assembly line was at capacity...sounds like their are a few less deliveries coming elsewhere!

KBB

That was the other part, someone else is getting fewer, don't know who.

 

[humveedriver]

I've seen a great deal of talk about all the "Int'l" flying that Airtran does yet I don't think I've ever seen an AT aircraft anywhere but the Bahamas. Where does AT currently operate outside the US?

Www.Airtran.com, look for the route map. We operate several aircraft with class 2 navigation, HF radios and rafts. That was to go to Bermuda, but is helpful on some other routes as well.

 

[carl p]

I've seen a great deal of talk about all the "Int'l" flying that Airtran does yet I don't think I've ever seen an AT aircraft anywhere but the Bahamas. Where does AT currently operate outside the US?

Aruba, Jamaica, CUN, Bermuda, San Juan, and Bahamas off the top of my head. Can't remember the IDs for them cause I'm in the 717 and don't go there...

 

[Fubijaakr]

Www.Airtran.com, look for the route map. We operate several aircraft with class 2 navigation, HF radios and rafts.

Just a reminder...Class 2 Nav doesn't equal ETOPS.

 

[Ky.BrownBourbn]

Www.Airtran.com, look for the route map. We operate several aircraft with class 2 navigation, HF radios and rafts. That was to go to Bermuda, but is helpful on some other routes as well.

I've flown an "Airtran" bird here at SW, 555SW, it's got all that stuff but I didn't use it for El Paso or Lubbock, it had other differences as well. We were getting a large mix of Aircraft in the 07-08 period that had alot of different stuff on them (Ford, air India A/C) they generally have oddball lav and seating configs...until the Virgin Blue A/c showed up, nothing had the HF radios or the rafts...the Airtran A/C were originally slated for the but after the acquisition, they were delivered here as ordered, wouldn't be surprised if some of that stuff is yanked out and sold, it's the SW way, money is money...and get use to hearing "fly it like a 200", anything that was extra Money is sold only to be needed and bought back later! Anyone remember my tire story!(brand new A/C show up with used tires, we lease recaps on a pay for departure or landing scenario!) Don't take it the wrong way, they have it wired to every penny saved. All in the end means more in my profit sharing! Herb (and those that followed) is a crude business man, great guy, loves to party but don't F with his (our) money!

Here come the (Sw) haters but it's why the place had been profitable since the early 70's.

Later,
KBB

 

[GIZMONC]

The only one I think you obmitted was Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ)
Punta Cana 23000, Dominican Republic

 

[humveedriver]

Just a reminder...Class 2 Nav doesn't equal ETOPS.

I was told we started with ETOPS in mind, but were able to do everything we needed to do with a 405 NM limitation. So far the only SATCOM/HF and raft birds I have flown have been over land. We can fly to all of our Carib destinations without that stuff except Bermuda. I think they were looking at more destinations prior to being bought.

To my knowledge some/all the SWA -800's will be ETOPS, with HI service in mind. They have a seperate program that their POI will approve.

 

[SWA Bubba]

I was told we started with ETOPS in mind, but were able to do everything we needed to do with a 405 NM limitation. So far the only SATCOM/HF and raft birds I have flown have been over land. We can fly to all of our Carib destinations without that stuff except Bermuda. I think they were looking at more destinations prior to being bought.

To my knowledge some/all the SWA -800's will be ETOPS, with HI service in mind. They have a seperate program that their POI will approve.

Yup, all the new -800 deliveries (starting in Feb 12) will come ETOPS from the factory. We also elected to add a new paint scheme option on them, in that instead of having "ETOPS" painted on the nose gear doors, it will say, "AK-killers. Blow me, Fubi."

Bubba

PS Legal Disclaimer: That last statement was intended solely as a joke/parody, and should not be taken seriously in any way. No actual offense to any airline, entity, or person, living or dead, should be inferred. All FAA regulations regarding proper aircraft markings will be followed as prescribed. Any anti-Fubi statements are solely for the innocent amusement of the author, and everyone else on this forum who shakes his or her head and sighs, "oh, that zany Fubi," everytime he makes a post.

 

[Flying the Line]

The answer to the question is, as soon as the SWA res system will allow for int'l flights and as soon as the 800s come on line.

 

[Flopgut]

Yup, all the new -800 deliveries (starting in Feb 12) will come ETOPS from the factory. We also elected to add a new paint scheme option on them, in that instead of having "ETOPS" painted on the nose gear doors, it will say, "AK-killers. Blow me, Fubi."

Bubba

PS Legal Disclaimer: That last statement was intended solely as a joke/parody, and should not be taken seriously in any way. No actual offense to any airline, entity, or person, living or dead, should be inferred. All FAA regulations regarding proper aircraft markings will be followed as prescribed. Any anti-Fubi statements are solely for the innocent amusement of the author, and everyone else on this forum who shakes his or her head and sighs, "oh, that zany Fubi," everytime he makes a post.

Yeah, you just order it like adding the Lariat package to new F-250. Seriously, all the heavy lifting has been done on the airplane side. Your ops and trng are what need approval. It's not a no-brainer and I hope you guys take it serious.

 

[SWA Bubba]

Yeah, you just order it like adding the Lariat package to new F-250. Seriously, all the heavy lifting has been done on the airplane side. Your ops and trng are what need approval. It's not a no-brainer and I hope you guys take it serious.

I don't disagree. All I was pointing out was that every -800 we get from Boeing over the next few years will have the ETOPS/Lariat package included. Clearly, there will be all the required training for our Pilots/FAs/Dispatchers/Ops etc., and it will be taken seriously. But now it looks like 35 of 'em in 2012 alone. That should tell people something. When SWA commits to something, it does it in a big way (think DEN). The rumor is, that it will be -800s to HI and AK in 2012, then other places later (still working on upgrading our res system). In my opinion, that's good news for all of us at SWA (and Airtran), but less good for Alaska Airlines, with added competition from us.

Bubba

 

[XR650R]

Yeah, you just order it like adding the Lariat package to new F-250. Seriously, all the heavy lifting has been done on the airplane side. Your ops and trng are what need approval. It's not a no-brainer and I hope you guys take it serious.

This is Southwest we're talking about here..it will be the King Ranch version, not the Lariat.
On a serious note, I hear the 800's are going to be fitted with CPDLC which is light years better than doing HF position reports. Maybe, even maybe..wait for it......Printers too! Quite an extravagance for a WN cockpit.

 

[Flopgut]

The 800 is not the best ETOPS airplane. One crossfeed, not a lot of altitude flexibility and not much fuel. It won't be the weak link at SWA, and neither will the pilots quite honestly. Your dispatchers and mechanics will have to get up to speed. (Your going to have to watch the MEL) The West Coast to Hawaii is actually the most demanding ETOPS route in the world. You've got to be frosty.

 

[scoreboardII]

Frosty or thirsty? There's a big difference.

King Ranch version? YGBSM!

This is SWA, we'll be lucky to get two tone paint, vinyl seats and mud flaps let alone a Ranger package.

 

[Flopgut]

Frosty or thirsty?

Both!!

You guys will really like the 800.

 

[Fubijaakr]

Its not ops or training that is the big hurdle to ETOPS. Its MAINTENANCE. And you boys have had a number of maintenance problems lately.

You can buy all the ETOPS equipped airplanes you want, but if your maintenance department can't cut it, you won't get certified. And getting that sign off goes WAY above the SWA POI/PMI.

 

[Mamma]

I don't disagree. All I was pointing out was that every -800 we get from Boeing over the next few years will have the ETOPS/Lariat package included. Clearly, there will be all the required training for our Pilots/FAs/Dispatchers/Ops etc., and it will be taken seriously. But now it looks like 35 of 'em in 2012 alone. That should tell people something. When SWA commits to something, it does it in a big way (think DEN). The rumor is, that it will be -800s to HI and AK in 2012, then other places later (still working on upgrading our res system). In my opinion, that's good news for all of us at SWA (and Airtran), but less good for Alaska Airlines, with added competition from us.

Bubba

I don't think Alaska will take a big hit from SWA going to Hawaii. There is a ton of business to go around and to be blunt, SWA does not offer much of anything better. Your business will probably be from your entire US feed....ie someone wanting to go from Islip to HNL. Now they can book SWA the entire way. Sure you will get some of Alaska's feed if you can beat the price but there is plenty to go around so everyone should do fine.

On the upside.....it is impossible to non-rev on Alaska to the Hawaiian islands as every seat is usually full. Hopefully the entrance of SWA will make non-rev travel possible!

 

[Sacha]

Its not ops or training that is the big hurdle to ETOPS. Its MAINTENANCE. And you boys have had a number of maintenance problems lately.

You can buy all the ETOPS equipped airplanes you want, but if your maintenance department can't cut it, you won't get certified. And getting that sign off goes WAY above the SWA POI/PMI.

Do you really want to talk about maintenance problems?! Do you really? Just when I think you can't post anything more ignorant and stupid, you prove me wrong...

You really were the Squadron "Gomer". Hell...you were the "Gomer" of the entire Fleet....

 

[scoreboardII]

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