SWA March class?

[w8n4swa]

another list sent in sunday...

Hey Pegasus,

Congrats....you now have the honor of holding the pole position on the new list, which I sent in on the 16th and should be posted soon. Your followed by Redneck, Bambam, AJ, etc... Hope to fill your class slots shortly!!

Other news: We've recently lost 2 swimmers from our pool....one at the deep end and the other in the shallow end. Perhaps the water is getting a bit cold!

Hang in there everyone....

 

[pegasus]

Wow! I am feeling old! No:1 on the list? Thank you, thank you. I can't tell you how happy I am to accept the prime slot. Thanks to my wife, for being there, and my kids for never telling anybody I wasn't a pilot.
I'd rather be here than over there. And everybody has to be somewhere.
Also noticed that I am a SENIOR Member.

 

[PTinbound]

Pegasus, there are truly few who are worthy to hold your position. Times like this, more than any other, call for poetry.
You have the right to do this because of your great seniority. You have the obligation to as our leader.
Poetry, poetry. It sooths the soul....

 

[pegasus]

You asked for it

Oh I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,
Well, actually, I haven't for ages,
Nor have I danced with silver edged clouds etc,
But I am number 1
So maybe I will soon.



Sorry it didn't rhyme. Ran out of rhyming juice.

 

[LearAv8r]

I talked to LL today for my monthly call in...and she said that I would probably make it to the next class.


However she said that the March class was doubtful at best.....


good news and bad news all in one phone call.....I guess....





fingers crossed and keeping the faith

LearAv8r-

 

[pitchfork]

ditto - talked with LL and she confirmed that things are doubtful for a Mar class - this war thing makes things too uncertain.

 

[Bally]

Did LL say that the impending war is the reason for no March class? I wonder how much the world situation is impacting the business plan for SWA? Did LL say anything about April?

Who again is LL? I have only worked with Jan Ruley.

 

[Maynard]

It'll be okay...

Hang in there!!! Plans are to hire 600+ next year. If I can handle a commute from DAL to OAK to sit reserve, anyone can. It will be worth it. Plus, it really IS a great job.
Just my two pennies...

 

[Bally]

I was told that they bring on 12 pilots per airplane...

 

[SilentDave]

Just talked to LL

Just got off the phone to LL a few minutes ago, and here's what she said:

1. A March class is not likely due to the current Gulf conditions. Playing the "wait and see" game.

2. I should be in the 4th class from now. (On our unoffical list I'm currently at #60.)

3. That 4th class could quite likely be the last class for the year!!!

4. All classes are currently expected to be done in the 1st half of the year.

5. She mentioned a total of 140 new people for the year.

I took careful notes and that is exactly what she said. Of course things can always change. Thought yall might want to know.
SilentDave

 

[Maynard]

As if...

As much as I want it to be true, how old is that estimate? Is it based on pre- 9/11 growth plans? That growth spurt may have to wait till post contingency/war and an improving economy.

I may be stupid enough to hit the "new thread" button instead of the "post reply" button, and it's a shame this forum software doesn't let you delete stupid mistakes, but I heard this info from the trng ctr. bosses in Feb. 2003 (last week), so I'm not quite dumb enough to post something that I heard pre-9/11, as we all know that was a different world. Guess I am dumb enough to run a sentence too long, huh?

 

[ivauir]

don't take it personally big guy ...

Maynard,
thanks for the information - and the source. There is a lot of bad info out there and the more optimistic it is the more the pool rats (especially the soggy ones) are skeptical. 600 is a lot - pre 9-11 weren't they only doing 4-500?
The information about short term plans is kind'o jelling. 4 more classes = 80 pilots which sounds like they are just covering the retirements this year. Does anybody remember the aircraft delivery schedule + projected retirements for this year?
I know it could be much worse - but does anybody else feel like Christmas has been canceled?

 

[dhampton]

Re: don't take it personally big guy ...

Does anybody remember the aircraft delivery schedule + projected retirements for this year?

Net gain of 11 aircraft

 

[Maynard]

Retirements...

There are approx. 65 scheduled pilot retirements this year.

 

[Maynard]

Sorry

Got up on the wrong side of bed today...
I agree, it's great news...Hope it happens.

 

[Slug]

Pilots per Plane (PpP)

10.4 pilots per plane is what management looks for.

No good news or bad news from the training center.

150 +/- for the year.

military call ups are occuring (don't know how this figures in)

A credible source was still optimistic for the coming couple of years.

Planes are still on order (not options, but firm orders) so hiring should increase for the next several years. Retirements also go up.


SWA is a great place. In my 3 weeks here it has far surpassed my previous employer.


Slug

 

[chase]

Capt Upgrades

There was a "capt" upgrade class for Feb & is expected to be one for Mar also, usually about 8 folks per class. "Tentative" plans is for 1 per month for awhile but as with SWA things can turn on a dime. These can't necessarily be equated directly to new hire classes but it does show there is movement on the seniority list & things are moving albeit slowly forward. Unknowns, war w/Iraq, other terrorist attacks will rapidly put a halt to further expansion (for awhile) because the current balance sheet is thin but at least a little in the black. A lot of uncertainity out there but hang in there. cheers & God Bless,

 

[xmetrojet]

Spoke with LL this morning. She said 80 more new hires this year is the number being thrown arround, with those in class by the end of June. Sadly if that number holds true I'll miss the last class this year by six. Currently I'm #76 on our unoffical list.

Xmetrojet

 

[CoopDog]

I've waited this long....

I've done one (year) here in this pool, and I can do another. Besides, it gives me more time to read all the interesting stuff that gets posted on this board every week.

Oh, and by the way guys, don't forget to give LL a call on your one year anniversary. Let's just hope we all get to meet her and the PD gang personally before the 2nd one rolls around next year.