SWA Poolies . . . a glimmer of hope?

[bluestreaking]

Also had an asst chief pilot on the jumpseat recently who said he would gladly trade the next twenty years for his previous twenty years at SWA...."You ain't seen nu-thin yet!"

So for what it's worth....

Yeah Baby! We're going to "Shock and Awe" the world with RNP! :uzi:

 

[Tanker Clown]

Hope you all are right. I'm hearing that the brass won't agree with the union to a one for one swap with the 737-800. If that comes to be, I've been told that hiring won't happen until 2012 at the earliest. Also heard there's trouble brewing in the union...

 

[DesertDuck]

I sit reserve and I get used every time. I have only had one whole block off one time in my 2 + years here at SWA. That was in Sep 09. I guess we'll see.

 

[scoreboardII]

Also had an asst chief pilot on the jumpseat recently who said he would gladly trade the next twenty years for his previous twenty years at SWA...."You ain't seen nu-thin yet!"

Well, yes, he probably thinks the $40ish new hire rate is 10 times more than he made, and they'll all be upgrading any year now.

 

[Whaler]

No word from our senior poolies on being called to go pee in a cup yet. We figure that will be the first indication of the hiring wheels being put into motion.

 

[The Prussian]

Gotta say, guys, hang in there...last year, there was no hope. But lately, we're sounding more positive. Just started Panama City, and announced Newark, and that's not counting CHS, and GSP. That easily should soak up what overmanning was here...Things are sounding positive...the only "fly in the ointment" would be a double dip...hang in there. (I'm just a guy that's hoping the government doesn't FORCE the economy to heal, but backs off on taxes, and allows the economy to heal)

 

[Daddy]

Hope you all are right. I'm hearing that the brass won't agree with the union to a one for one swap with the 737-800. If that comes to be, I've been told that hiring won't happen until 2012 at the earliest. Also heard there's trouble brewing in the union...

Right as usual, TC...see you on the line!

 

[Moon-dog]

Somehow I doubt it, but we will see.

 

[murano]

Funny how all the optimism comes from the guys in the left seat. Sure we're flying to new cities, but they are optimizing the crap out of our schedules and doing it with no growth. Gary has stated we purchased too many airframes in the past decade and he will replace the aging 300s with 800s. It only takes four 800s to equal the seat capacity of five 300s. We might not even need any new hires when the retirements start happening again because of the need for less airframes.

Trust me, I want you poolies on the property more than anything! But ask most of the FOs and we've got a very steep hill to climb. Let's hope I'm wrong.

 

[bmxandjets]

The reserves on both sides of the cockpit are sitting whole blocks without getting used starting this month.

I just can't see needing anyone until at least spring.

Gup

Well, wouldn't a Jan new hire class put butts in seats in the spring..? Or, are we splitting atoms here..? Or, just drinking kool-aid from half empty glasses..?

 

[waitin]

We're just looking at your avatar....

 

[GuppyWN]

Well, wouldn't a Jan new hire class put butts in seats in the spring..? Or, are we splitting atoms here..? Or, just drinking kool-aid from half empty glasses..?

I was thinking more along the lines of April but I'll take any good news you've got!

Gup

 

[Saluki Dawg]

I've started to learn to take GK at his word. So when he says NO GROWTH for the next three years I tend to take him at his word. I used to think that he didn't really mean what he said, but after numerous dissapointments, I've learned to accept that things are the way they are whether I like it or not. If GK changes his mind and decides to FINALLY GROW THIS AIRLINE again, then I will be thrilled, but until that happens. I'm going to just continue to show up, fly my trip, and go home. Hopefully the pool will be drained sooner rather than later, but I'm certainly not going to give you all false hope, because despite what a few of my fellow pilots have told you we are NOT understaffed even in the height of the summer flying schedule with the CURRENT FLEET. The only way to change that is to add more Airframes than we are retiring, and that hasn't been happening for the last few years.

 

[MILPILOT17]

Right as usual, TC...see you on the line!

Just like he was right back in 07/08? Please, give me a break! When anyone gets on this forum and claims to have the "pulse" of the company then that's when I call bullsh!t. Things can change at this or any other company at a moments notice. Poolies, try to stay positive; we're all hoping for the best!

 

[Tanker Clown]

Hey Mil, you retards thought there would be classes in '09 and '10. I said no. I was right. Just like I'll be right about '11.

Here's the logic (and you can stick your head in the sand over the math...but it is what it is):

The CEO said they hired too many people in the last 10 years.
He said no growth for '11 or '12.
He's going to replace older jets with bigger new jets (and can keep the capacity the same by replacing 5 old jets with only 4 new jets). Let's assume that each jet requires 10 pilots to make the math easy (I assume pilots/jet are higher than this). Re place 100 old jets with 80 new jets. An overall decrease of 20 jets. 20 jets times 10 pilots per equals 200 less pilots needed.

When might these new jets come? I'm hearing 2012. That's right about when retirements start again. So lets say 200 guys retire...well, looks like the manning is right on. So around 2013 it looks like it's time to hire again.

Mind you, this is before anyone buys JetBlue or Airtran.

BTW, I'm basically getting this from the horses mouth. My buddy talked with the CEO and VP of pilots a couple of days ago. He also told me the company is in negotiations with the pilots to get them to agree to fly the 800 with no assurance for a one for one swap. He was an exec in the union a few years ago....so he is well positioned to know both sides on this one.

 

[GuppyWN]

TC is a smart ass but he's got this one right as far as I can see.

Gup

 

[MILPILOT17]

TT, that's not the horses mouth and you need to stop french kissing it!

 

[MILPILOT17]

TC is a smart ass but he's got this one right as far as I can see.

Gup

Gup, I really hope you're wrong; for several reasons!

 

[Tanker Clown]

MILPilot, feel free to point out any errors in my math.

 

[GuppyWN]

Gup, I really hope you're wrong; for several reasons!

Me too brother, me too!

Gup