SWA Newhire Class for Christmas

[OPIE01]

All I want for Christmas is a Southwest Class,
a Southwest Class, a Southwest Class.
Gee, if I could only have a Southwest Class,
Then I could wish you "Merry Christmas."

Spoke with LL the other day and she mentioned that Training department was going to meet real soon to discuss classes for newhires. What a great Christmas present that would be to hear about classes starting early Jan and that I am in one of them.

 

[Red Leader]

Hi Opie,

"she mentioned that Training department was going to meet real soon to discuss classes for newhires.".

.....Anyone?...Anyone?....we're all looking for any amplifying information. Latest rumor from these boards was February to accomodate new checklist procedures. We're all hoping for that "fairytale" call around Christmas advising us of January start dates. It'll be great when we finally get this show rollin'

 

[Slug]

Checklist and new hires

Hey all,

Just got back from a 2-day. Nothing special except that we had a senior check airman from SAN to AUS. Here is some of what he was telling us that he has heard or personally confirmed on this subject.

New hires to start in January.

The checklist thing is not a limiting factor for starting new hires. He said that was more union (damm SWAPA) driven than company. He said that there is a complete rewrite of the Flight Ops Manual and Reference Manual and that these rewrites are what will drive the new checklists. He also added the new checklists were not too far off what we do currently.

Hang in, it will come,


Slug

 

[Bake]

From chief pilots briefing last week at EPT. Classes to start on Feb 16th and go thru July. Take AUG and SEP off then start again in OCT. I'm sure this is all subject to change as always.

Bake

 

[737dude]

Aren't rumors fun?

The latest (but not the last) out of the Chief Pilots office.
There will be a small class of 10 new hires in mid-January; followed by a class of 24 pilots each starting in February until June, then the class sizes will be 20 pilots each for the remainder of the year. The possibility of a new crew base still exists for the later part of 2004/early 2005; LAS, BNA, TPA are still the strong contenders...
Rumor also has it that the Company has been down in South America looking for more aircraft to buy or lease: further hiring in late 2004 can be expected if aircraft deliveries are obtained.

That is the latest boys and girls. Hope it helps some.

 

[AJWick]

737dude writes

Rumor also has it that the Company has been down in South America looking for more aircraft to buy or lease: further hiring in late 2004 can be expected if aircraft deliveries are obtained.

Great....All we need now is that lowercur guy to say "I told you so!!"



Either way, I am packing my bags for Dallas, Plan to be there in Feb.

aj

 

[tredding@swa]

Dear PoolRats,

I feel that it is necessary for me to come out of "retirement" to say a few words to my former pals in the pool.....

There I was, (no sh!t) last Wednesday, Nov 5th.... at FL370, looking out the window of the canyon blue 737, on my way to SLC. The last leg, of the 1st day, of yet another 3 day...

This was a great day for me, exactly 6 months ago on this day I had just finished my first day of new hire class in DAL. My wife and I were sitting in our room, enjoying dinner and discussing the day's events. Our #1 reflection was how lucky we were to be there.

Three weeks prior to May 5th, there were rumors that SWA may not continue classes for 2003. My number on the Flightinfo pool showed that I was really close to being in the next couple of classes..... what IF??... what IF?? The reality was, the company had 2 more classes, and here I am.

So what's my point!?

One thing that each and every one of you PoolRats has in common is that you have passed the interview, and the background check(s) and have been extended the offer of a future class date. The fact that SWA has choosen you to be our future pilots is a pretty big deal.

Relax. No really..... take Flightinfo off your favorites list, don't look at the rumors until Jan. Give it a break!

Enjoy the upcoming holidays, spend time with your families, work on your hobbies, finish that house project your wife wants to see completed, hang out with your kids, read a book, go hiking.... whatever you do, please realize that your fretting and gnashing of teeth is not going to make the future change. You are just creating unessesary stress in your lives.

Classes will start again, you are more than welcome here, trust me, EVERYONE wants to see you "on property" a.s.a.p.!! I personally can't wait to end my commute to OAK, and I am not alone.

This is, and I am pretty certain, will continue to be the best job I have EVER had. I can't wait to share that feeling with a few thousand more lucky people!!

As is said on almost every flight from one or both of us up in the pointy end of the plane.... "sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride..."

Happy Holidays!

Tred
CEO(retired)
Pool Rat, Inc.

 

[firstthird]

If they are down in South America looking for planes to buy or lease, let's hope that someone has some 'previously owned' 737-700s that they are willing to part with and not some EMB 'not an RJ' RJ, just so we won't have to here more of the

awwwwwwkkkkkkkkk


Look for the Order



aaaaaawwwwwwwkkkkk

from lowecur.

(borrowed from OakRBust, a former poolie)

 

[lowecur]

aaaaawwwwwwwwwkkkkk

Down in South America looking for planes to buy or lease. Can you imagine that?

Well AJ, I won't say I told you so until it happens.

Remember Firstthird - look for the order!

Look guys, just be happy that this could mean a major expansion for SWA. More jobs, higher stock price, and a excellent company again will be a "growth company." Not stuck in neutral.

 

[zymotic]

Stuck in neutral? Does a net increase of 90 737's in 30 months sound like neutral to you?

 

[lowecur]

ZYMOTIC

You can add all the capacity you want, you still have to put butts in the seat profitably. Granted, WN has been able to make money but their profit margins are neutral - hence no increase in stock price since 3/01. I believe they will actually shrink in 2004. Just my opinion of course.

 

[canyonblue]

Re: ZYMOTIC

You can add all the capacity you want, you still have to put butts in the seat profitably. Granted, WN has been able to make money but their profit margins are neutral - hence no increase in stock price since 3/01. I believe they will actually shrink in 2004. Just my opinion of course.

This is why you are the ever "hated" insurance salesman and don't run an airline. Let a few of us "pilots" post to you about how screwed up the insurance industry is and maybe you could actually spend more time fixing that, then trying to fix SWA.

 

[HOUMAN]

Wow, the "ignore" feature is sweet. I suggest everyone try it.

 

[JayhawkDude]

HOUMAN

Thanks for the idea! It really is cool!

 

[lowecur]

-canyonblue-

Hate is just a little strong don't you think?

I'm beginning to see why the SWA FO's are so PO'd. I guess I need to be more sensitive to your feelings. You come to work for an airline that is argueably the best run airline ever. Over the years, previous FO's shared in the hefty profit sharing and stock options of the company, and have finally moved into the left seat and make an excellent hourly rate. You have spent years and lots of money waiting for this opportunity, and now some "insurance salesman" is telling you that the golden ring you've been reaching for may turn into silver ring. In a few years you may be bidding for a reduced rate on a 175/190, in lieu of a 737.

My answer to that is "welcome to the ever morphing world of the airline business." Making less money per year than a 737 CA is a very humbling experience after telling your wife and kids that someday all this training and sacrifice will pay off.

Unfortunately the airline business is going to continue to morph for the next 10 or 12 years. I don't have to tell you how lucky you are to be working for WN. Just ask some of the unemployed pilots here, and I'm sure they would tell you to count your blessings.

Poolies, I know you have your hopes set for the 737 also. In that respect, I hope I'm wrong about the 175/190. Let's not forget the important things in life. For those of you that have kids, don't forget to give them lots of hugs.

PS: Do I expect a reprieve? Not a chance. Just a thought from the heart.

 

[OPIE01]

I work to live, not live to work

I don't care if they get Cessna 152s, I just want a job. This unemployment sucks and I am eager for a job that will pay at least some of my bills and I get to fly while I do it, I am starting to use up that 6 months of savings I tucked away for hard time. WN has made money for the past 30 years. If they want to buy used B-52s they are doing it for a reason. And anyway, us poolies that have been here for almost 2 years are ready for some actions whether it is a 737 or something else.

Personally, I wish they would buy some Used F-16s so I can go and bomb Bin Lauden and his buddies into oblivian.

 

[CoopDog]

Hey Opie,

At least that would gaurantee a 100% load factor every flight. You'd have to forget about commuting on the jumpseat though.

Coop

 

[PTinbound]

That's good, Coop.
Where'd we be without ya?

 

[LiveFreeorDie]

How do you ignore? Can't find the button.

 

[CoopDog]

LiveFreeorDie,

Go to your user cp, and click on "edit ignore list." Then type the dude's name in who you'd like to ignore. Then.....Presto!

The guy's post will show up as:

"This person is on your Ignore List."

Like Houman said.....Really sweet.

 

[Indapool]

Bevis voice on "Ignore is coool he he" Bevis voice off