Swa Pool

[sf34dvr]

Very disappointing and no doubt will extend the time in the pool. My understanding is once you are in the pool at Southwest you are there until such time you are offered a class date or "you" remove your name. Southwest has already determined they want to hire us, unlikely and unprecedented to have poolies reinterview.

I believe it speaks well of Southwest to provide opportunities for pilots who have been part of the Family for many years. Hopefully, the list will be small.

A key sentence of the the letter " ...and we hope you'll keep in mind that this same level of commitment and concern will also be afforded to you when you become a member of the Southwest Family". (not if)

 

[Zdriver]

so, anyone know, these guys have to interview in February, do they have to wait for a decision board to meet sometime in March? If that's the case, IF they are planning a March Class(s), would they assign from the current pool (as the 60+ wouldn't be at the top of the pool yet for class assignment)? Next question that I am sure no one can answer yet, do you think we will get a letter at the end of Feb beginning of March telling us that there are X number of 60+ now at the top of the list, plan accordingly?

 

[Whataburger]

Albie15 Challenge

That said...can I bet you Whataburger with everthing that any poolies brought on in 2009 will have some kind of mini-interview before coming onboard?

Are you saying that before Poolies come on in '09, they will need another "mini" interview??

If that's the case, you are out of your mind. You along with many other people here spew sh!t you know very little about. You mentioned you "BET" me this would happen right?

Ok then, i bet you your FI membership you're wrong.

Proposal. If by the end of '09 there have been NO "mini interviews" we will have the moderators permanetly "Retire" your account. If my company choses to "mini" interview poolies as they dry off, I will have the Moderators permanently "Retire" Whataburger.

You lose you're gone.
I lose, I'm gone.

 

[PCL_128]

Honestly, guys, SWA is not your religion. It's just your employer. You don't need to take deep, personal offense every time somebody says something about SWA that you disagree with. Albie has prepped tons of people for SWA interviews and has helped lots of them get hired. I think he's entitled to an opinion about the SWA interview process without being attacked, and he certainly shouldn't retire his account if he's wrong.

 

[On Your Six]

Are you saying that before Poolies come on in '09, they will need another "mini" interview??

If that's the case, you are out of your mind. You along with many other people here spew sh!t you know very little about. You mentioned you "BET" me this would happen right?

Ok then, i bet you your FI membership you're wrong.

Proposal. If by the end of '09 there have been NO "mini interviews" we will have the moderators permanetly "Retire" your account. If my company choses to "mini" interview poolies as they dry off, I will have the Moderators permanently "Retire" Whataburger.

You lose you're gone.
I lose, I'm gone.

Whoa - lay off the caffeine Maverick!!!!!!!! You're cool.

 

[jke406]

Honestly, guys, SWA is not your religion. It's just your employer. You don't need to take deep, personal offense every time somebody says something about SWA that you disagree with.

substitute "ALPA" for "SWA" in your above post, and you just described yourself.

and ALPA isn't even your "employer. " Enough said.

 

[PCL_128]

substitute "ALPA" for "SWA" in your above post, and you just described yourself.


and ALPA isn't even your "employer. " Enough said.

I don't take offense, I just respond with facts. Far too many SWA pilots around here seem to take offense and launch into attacks whenever somebody says something about their airline. How many times have you seen an SWA pilot post something like "you're just a pathetic loser who couldn't get hired here." It's always personal with these guys.

Disclaimer: I know that not all SWA pilots are like this, but it seems like a lot of the ones that post on FI are.

 

[Whataburger]

Whoa - lay off the caffeine Maverick!!!!!!!! You're cool.

Just a little fun challenge. Something to follow next year.

I have been with companies that are dishonest. SWA is not dishonest with us. If they say you're in the pool, you're in the pool. Thats it.

PS. No 5 year extention on this either.

 

[AlbieF15]

Um...ah...I meant I would bet A whataburger (you know--the delightful meal it is...at about 5 bucks), not THE whataburger....

A virtual duel for screen names? Nah...not interested. I'm sometimes wrong, and I like it here. A burger for you? Sure. I'll gladly buy you lunch if I'm wrong.

As for not knowing $hit....well...yes and no. I'm not at SWA, don't claim to be, and certainly am not on the inside with HR. However--I try to keep a pretty good pulse on what is going on around the industry--for my own interest and also to help the folks who are interviewing at the various companies that are hiring. Sometimes in that quest you glean a little SA or info that might have some merit. Sometimes it doesn't. Just consider the source...that's all. And--like other issues--sometimes I'd rather be wrong. I hope this is one of those times.

As PCL mentioned--I've had the good fortune of meeting a lot of great folks who are now employed (or hope to soon be...) at SWA. I don't hate SWA, and I certainly don't hate the folks there. This isn't personal. In fact--as a former F-15 guy, I can say many of the folks I respected the most as officers, fighter pilots, and friends are now at SWA and are very happy.

Cheers...

In short--I LIKE a lot of folks at SWA. I'm pulling for the guys in the pool. I'm not trying to poke you--or anyone else--in the eye. You are at a great company with a great payrate and folks seem to like it there...so good on all of you.

 

[waveflyer]

what makes this tough is that the email addresses of all poolies were made public by Southwest (accidentally)- to make a CONSCIOUS and OPTIONAL choice to delay their class further after making that mistake is not the right decision. IMO.

 

[Tanker Clown]

what makes this tough is that the email addresses of all poolies were made public by Southwest (accidentally)- to make a CONSCIOUS and OPTIONAL choice to delay their class further after making that mistake is not the right decision. IMO.

After you are trying to crack that conspiracy (which I think was an honest mistake) why don't you go find the second gun man on the grassy knoll.

 

[Daddy]

There were TWO men on the grassy knoll?

 

[waveflyer]

I didn't say there was a conspiracy. I didn't even think the email was a big deal at the time. But I underestimated the number of pilot internet geeks in the world who would take the time to circulate the list and put it together.

Try to remember, not everyone works for the military or employers who understand you want to move on.

Since that email, I have two friends who have been pegged by their co-workers and it's now common knowledge that they are in the pool at southwest. One at Alaska, the other at USAir. Both on probation. (One of those airlines it's a bigger deal than the other.)
Now w/ classes trickling in, I just think it's bad timing to take care of the good ole boys quite like this. Rehire them, sure, but put em in the back of the pool b/c you made a mistake which is making poolies current employment a bit awkward.

Seriously- would you like to be on probation at Alaska and have it be common knowledge that you are in the pool at southwest?

Honest mistake or not... delaying class dates w/ optional choices isn't cool. Just my opinion. The old guys got enough w/ this law.

 

[BlueandWhite]

Just wanted to bring this back to what this thread was started for 54 pages ago....

Here is what PD told me as of yesterday. Because of the latest message relaying SWA's intention to interview and place retirees in the front of poolies, they are holding up the March class and delaying it until April. Intent is to put the over-60 guys in this class (depending on how many of course). Poolies will fall in line after that.

I was also told that PD is planning for 3 classes in April. Since I've heard of multiple classes before (Jan and Mar), I'll believe that when I see it.

 

[Tanker Clown]

Watch the negativity Blueandwhite. Everytime I have told you guys that something not very good was coming down the pipe, everyone has ripped me a new one.

I'm sorry to hear about the class delays. Maybe it's time to face the reality of the situation.

 

[ballgag]

Just wanted to bring this back to what this thread was started for 54 pages ago....

Here is what PD told me as of yesterday. Because of the latest message relaying SWA's intention to interview and place retirees in the front of poolies, they are holding up the March class and delaying it until April. Intent is to put the over-60 guys in this class (depending on how many of course). Poolies will fall in line after that.

I was also told that PD is planning for 3 classes in April. Since I've heard of multiple classes before (Jan and Mar), I'll believe that when I see it.

Thanks for the update! Many on this thread are not even in the pool, why???? I guess making friends over the internet is working out better than in real life....or in Tanker Clowns case meeting men..

Anyhow, for all those in the pool who are pissed. Very easy solution, either wait or move on, enough said.

 

[Tanker Clown]

Come on Ballgag. Let's keep this professional.

 

[THEPRFCT10]

We all know that it is easy to let emotions run wild here.....back to business: PD told me yesterday that I 'slipped' 2 classes from originally being in the 3rd class of the year to the 5th class of the year TO INCLUDE the class of returning-retirees. The fact that they only have 16 poolies in the Feb class was a factor they said also. Not sure what to think! They ended the phone call by telling me that the company 'formally' announced that they want 5-8 classes this year and that is it, no more no less...........we all can do the math. Of course, things can change......

 

[Tanker Clown]

Sounds to me by your post that the "interview" process for the returning retirees will be a joke. With only 40 or so applying and them getting two classes of their own, sounds like they might as well get their welcome packages after the "interview."

 

[jke406]

Sound to me by your post that the "interview" process for the returning retirees will be a joke. With only 40 or so applying and them getting two classes of their own, sounds like they might as well get their welcome packages after the "interview."

Maybe the poolies should give a pep talk to the old guys. And a ballwash.

 

[Daddy]

The visual of Hillary giving a ballwash just made me throw up in my mouth

 

['72Gremlin]

The visual of Hillary giving a ballwash just made me throw up in my mouth

That's funny.

If I recall, after a extended time in the hiring pool, UPS reinterviewed their poolies back in 2005. Some didn't make the cut the 2nd time around. I guess anything can happen, but I highly doubt SWA will reinterview those in the pool now. That just doesn't seem like something they would do.

I've been reading a lot of this bantering about retirees going back to SWA and I'm trying to look at it from their perspective. They've been with this "family" for the past 15-20 years and were forced to retire when they reached 60. If I were a retiree, personally, I don't think I should have to reinterview to rejoin this "family." These guys passed their interview that got them hired 16-21 years ago! (I bet Herb and Colleen will remain part of the Southwest "family" long after they retire next month and won't have to "reinterview" to take another active roll in the company.) This "interview" for the retires is probably just a formality. Afterall, they're proven themselves with a supposed successful pilot career at SWA. And as a company, why wouldn't SWA want these guys, who are the most experienced SWA pilots, back on property as soon as possible?

From what I hear, Southwest seems to take care of their "family." Maybe this is another way they are doing this.

 

[Uplift]

For what its worth, what they're doing is fair and per the new rule. The interview for the retired guys to return is required by the law that was passed regarding age 65. It specifically states that anyone wishing to return to their previous carrier would have to be treated same as any other who wishes to work for the carrier- no previous seniority, pay, status, etc will be reassumed. They must start all over again. No grandfathering into the new rule.

It sucks for those of us swimming, but understandable and commendable of southwest to take care of their family while playing by the rules. I would expect the same when it's my turn to be a part of the family.

 

[skypine69]

I am still trying to figure out why a captain making 170/hr or whatever it is would want to come back and throw the gear for 50/hr and be on reserve in OAK. I guess if they love the job that much then more power to them, but if it were me...i think I would just go buy a small plane and enjoy my retirement.

 

[Jolly Roger]

some of these guys just love the job (one in particular I can think of is the best guy in the world!). My face hurt after a trip I was laughing so much, and the flight attendants loved him too. Unfortunately, he will not return to the same job he left, and I don't think the full realization will set in until he is back.

I was never for the age 60 change, hurt movement, etc etc.... but I think the guys who really got screwed are the ones who just missed the boat by a little and wanted to keep working.

 

[jke406]

It sucks for those of us swimming, but understandable and commendable of southwest to take care of their family while playing by the rules. I would expect the same when it's my turn to be a part of the family.

You know, we haven't heard much from the SWA kool-aid drinkers lately. No classes?

 

[Tanker Clown]

I heard that there might not be a class until April, maybe even May. Any updates on this?

 

[zippy32]

I start class next week with 15 other poolies. The first March class is supposedly for the Age 60+ guys. There is a rumor about another March class after that, but I haven't heard anything substantial.

My class will be throwing the party for the March class of Age 60+ guys when they start their class. Does Wild Turkey mix well with prune juice?

 

[Charlie Brown]

Does Wild Turkey mix well with prune juice?

HA! Actually I hear Metamucil works better. Make sure to have the party early enough they can be back at the hotel to catch the Evening News.

 

[Charlie Brown]

I am still trying to figure out why a captain making 170/hr or whatever it is would want to come back and throw the gear for 50/hr and be on reserve in OAK. I guess if they love the job that much then more power to them, but if it were me...i think I would just go buy a small plane and enjoy my retirement.

I couldn't agree more. I think some of these guys are in for a reality check.

As for making them interview not only is it required per the legislation, but gives SWA a way of saying "no thanks" if someone they would rather not want back tries to return.