SWA Int'l Ops

[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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