Swa March Class????

[Notunderpar]

Buddy of mine from the line just called and said he heard a most unfortunate rumor this am in PHX. He was told that the 30 or so U birds that SWA was supposed to get isn't going to happen as soon as was originally planned for and that there might not be any new hire classes in March. Anyone????

 

[GivvitF16]

RAMS,

I was at K&S Aviation in PHX today trying to refresh what I learned three years ago. We had a "guest speaker" that was a SWA employee. He said nothing about no classes in March. He was pretty sure they would keep the pace for 500 new hires this year and possibly closer to the 700 range depending on how certain scenarios.

You are right about them not buying the -300's from US Air or United. A couple of reasons where the price and how the cockpit was configured. They will continue to get new aircraft from Boeing as they come off the line. Plus, the fuel hedges they have for '05 don't cover the new aircraft. So, they aren't going to go out and buy aircraft unless there is a compelling reason.

SWA was expecting a "compelling" reason to happen by this time, but it hasn't. So, they will continue hiring based on the 102 retirements this year and the 5 new aircraft they received.

So, I imagine there will be a couple of classes in March. I would be extremely surprised if there were none. For me personally, April is a better month to start, but I'm sure alot of people are anxious to get to Dallas!

DISCLAIMER: I don't have all the airline speak down, so the above is my interpretation of what was said. I'm not trying to start any rumors, just pass on info.


Givvit

 

[iflyfred]

Refresh the thread

 

[iflyfred]

If anyone that is now in training or that has called the PD lately has heard anything about future classes, could you please chime in here. Thanks in advance.

 

[saabcaptain]

as of 2/5 at the training center the instructors are still saying they believe classes will continue in march. anything could of course change, but so far it is either really, really high level or it simply is rumor.

 

[SWA GUY]

The firm plan is as follows:

34 net aircraft this year (37 -700's, 3 -200's retired)

120 pilots retire

11 pilots per airplane equals 374, plus 120( for retirements) is 494 new pilots on property in 05. That gentlemen/ladies, is a hard number.

That figure does not include medical outs, or any other airplanes we can get our hands on from either Boeing or elsewhere.

I'm betting we hire more than 494.

 

[PTinbound]

SWA Guy,
I just got back from "off probation" in DAL and the firm order still stands at 34, minus the 5 -200's that are already gone, so we should have a net growth of 29 aircraft this year.

I had also heard that the 30 round dial rumor is now dead, as expected "industry events" have not happened. All the "Hiring 700 +" rumors were predicated on that. Our instructor hinted that since we've been front loading our hiring so much so far this year based on that, and that has not happened, we may have to slow down the hiring as we will be overstaffed by spring/summer if we only get the firm orders. BIG grain of salt, but I did hear the number 350 for the year mentioned. Hopefully it will be more than that.
Note to poolies: Sorry about the emotional roller coaster. Nothing is firm and anyone in DAL will tell you that things change every 15 minutes around here. I'm a vetran of the Mother of all Pools, the 2 year and 2 month one, and I'm here to tell you that this place if worth every second of the wait, even if it's 6 years. Everything you've ever heard that's good about this place is true, only it's much better when you get to experience it firsthand for yourself. Do SWA pilots find stuff to complain about? You bet they do. But for me, after flying helicopters/digging foxholes/painting rocks in the Army, flight instructing, 2 commuters going out of business ("Hi honey, I'm home, the airline just went out of business today and I don't have a job anymore...") and a third commuter that I had 2 engine failures at and almost went of strike, I'm here to tell you that anyone who complains about this place doesn't really know what else is out there.
Folks, keep the faith, do the best you can where you are, and don't give up. It will come, and probably sooner rather than later.

 

[SWA/FO]

So you passed? Time for the move?

 

[SWA GUY]

My intel came from an 8 hour meeting with Herb/Collen/Kelly/Wimberly last Tuesday.

 

[PTinbound]

SWA/FO,
Yes I moved! Though next time I hope it won't be a week before my checkride. I somehow managed to pull the wool over the check airman's eyes, though, because I passed. Of course while I was in the sim, my daughter closed the garage door on a piece of furniture out there, so now I have to buy a new garage door with that 2nd year pay I'm about to get. Anyway, no more commuting for me, AND I get to be a better slave of crew scheduling!

 

[LearLove]

My intel came from an 8 hour meeting with Herb/Collen/Kelly/Wimberly last Tuesday.

The only time you/me/Herb or anyone else is going to know about 2005 hiring (for SWA or anyone else) is on Jan 1, 2006.

 

[Notunderpar]

PTinbound,

Thank you for the words of encouragement. You put things into perspective. Those who still have jobs and a way to provide for their families are most fotunate in this day and age. Good luck to all!!!

 

[Skater]

The Asst Chief Pilot from MDW told me today the next class that starts is the last one. He didn't say when they would have another. He also said no interviews for March or April. I hope this changes for the better.

 

[commode Air]

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Kerrigan's Bane]

Can't believe this thread isn't getting a ton of attention...

Can someone please verify (or hopefully debunk) this bad news?

 

[Topper]

The Asst Chief Pilot from MDW told me today the next class that starts is the last one. He didn't say when they would have another. He also said no interviews for March or April. I hope this changes for the better.

When is the next class (last class you mentioned) slated to start? Anyone call on this one today?

 

[Freezer]

Called today to confirm they had all my information to start class on 16 Feb, and wasn't told not to come, so I think you can count on next week's class starting. I know one starts tomorrow as well.

 

[johnnyV]

There were a bunch of interviewees running around the training center today. Word on the street around the center has been that things should slow down some but I have not heard of things coming to a screeching halt. I certainly hope not.

Good luck to all.

P.S. The SWA training was terrific, off to the line I go.

 

[Dave Siegel]

P.S. The SWA training was terrific, off to the line I go.

That's what I hear from everyone. I just hope the doors stay open so I can get there!!!

 

[mach zero]

Heard the same thing from a union rep...big slowdown in hiring. No specifics other than the 700+ definitely isn't going to happen. Those in the FEB classes can anticipate a little "longer" tenure commuting to OAK (you had better prepare your families for the long periods of time that you will be away in OAK "enjoying" a junior reserve schedule). I hope the situation changes.

M 0