SWA / Military Reserve scheduling

[UGApilotDAWG]

Does anyone know how SWA fits the military reserve duty in with crew scheduling? Funny I live in New Orleans and there's not a soul in my reserve squadron that flys for Southwest...just about everyone else! Are we able to fit as many days of military duty as we need or just the standard "one weekend a month, two weeks a year" and how does that fit with overlap or back to back SWA reserve duties? We have several dets open I would like to sign up for but not sure how SWA handles the reservists.

I am sure I'll find out next Monday and Tuesday, but any advance help is greatly appreciated...

Thanks, Les

I woke up this morning...with Texas on my mind!

 

[TR4A]

Check your mail. SWAPA has a handbook you might be interested in.

 

[UGApilotDAWG]

got it. Thanks!

 

[Snoopy58]

Les,

The short answer is that SWA doesn't limit how much you can participate in your Reserve unit. You tell your crew base what your Reserve commitments are (they prefer a week or 3 lead time, but they understand how that sort of thing works), and scheduling pulls as much as is required. There's also allowances for the time it will take you to get from your house to your base -- no getting home at midnight from Reserve duty & being expected to report at 0600 for a SWA flight the next day. Pretty much everyone I've talked to has had good experiences working with the chief pilots & scheds regarding Reserve & Guard obligations.

Have a great time in Dallas! It's good to have you coming onboard with us.

Snoopy58

 

[AlbieF15]

One thing to keep in mind is the law REQUIRES they let you go. Now---how painful it is for you when you get back, minor issues and paperwork hassles, etc...they can control a bit. Most majors, however, seem to be very supportive in both word and deed.

I'm not bashing SWA...I'm sure they are great. One of the nicest things about FDX is nobody has every said anything but "thanks for your service" when I've had to take mil leave here or there, and they even let me move my vacation around to cover a month where I went on leave.

I don't have the link handy, but there are resources out there showing you your rights as a reservist/guardsman with reference to your employer. Again--SWA will likely treat you fine, but knowing the info will make your job much easier.

And....thank you for your service!

 

[737tanker]

SWA is very good to the reservists & when I have asked they have moved my vacation to cover military time. They also did this for guys who were on long term activation so that they wouldn't lose any stock options (had to be on paid status on 1 sept to get that years grant). All SWA asks is that if possible you give them 1 week notice for any drills & 90 days notice for periods of 2 weeks or longer.

 

[chase]

Military Committee

The union also mans a committee solely designed to liaison with military members who are SWA pilots, liaisons with the company & liaisons with Reserve/NG components of the AF, Navy, Marines & Army in order to keep all avenues of communication open. This committee helps to set guidelines for both the pilots & which the company will operate in regards to its military members. As mentioned above there is a 20 page guidline helping reservist/guard members get the answers they need.

The attached info below outlines how trip drops occur with military training. I believe SWA received an award 2 years ago from the military as being one of the top 3 companies in the country in working with guard/reserve members in meeting their military & civilian obligations.

Hope this helps:

Scheduling and Planning, in an effort to facilitate the "Trip Pull" process due to Military activities (including Monthly drill weekend) have developed this new procedure:

You can elect to keep your trip and work the conflict yourself by using LITT or Trip Trade Give Away's; OR

You can elect to have the trip pulled ASAP allowing you to pick up MOT and Trip Trade Give Away's. If you choose the second option YOU need to ensure your MILOA Pull form has the following message in the "comments" section: "Please pull from trip #### due to conflict with military activity." Ensure that your crew coordinator or Chief Pilot enters the comments electronically for scheduling (these forms are not faxed).

To have the trip pulled ASAP your MILOA request MUST be received by planning by 1200C on the 17th of the month (or by the 24th of the month if you are a VR/Reserve line holder) prior to your MILOA activity.

If you do not submit your form by the 17th of the month (the 24th for VR/Reserve line holders) or are unable to resolve your military/trip conflict, you can still have your trip removed eight days prior to your military activity as is presently done.