SWA Poolies, Furloughed, or Unemployed

[LiveFreeorDie]

So what is everyones contingency plan for next spring when the birds are headed North again but the economy is still running South?

For the poolies, what will you do when it is clear SWA is only having a handfull of classes next year?

For the furloughed guys, if the flying public remains grounded, what are your longterm plans, how long can you survive?

For the unemployed pilots out there, where are you gonna go if no one is hiring pilots (cept for minorities and women that is) next spring with the War in Iraq ragin' and the economy floundering?

I don't mean to spout doom and gloom, but wondered what people had going in there hip pocket. Anyone considering a career change? Any poolies thinking about getting back into the military?

For me I am at a low paying sim instructor job, and I don't know how long I can take it. (I've been a poolie since last August.) I am working on my CFI right now so I can stay current. I am seriously thinking of becoming a lawyer or perhaps getting a masters in engineering and bailing on the airline pilot dream. I may even do the unthinkable and resign with the military--well atleast a guard or reserve unit.

I am setting a dead line of next June for my self. If I don't see anything positive by then, I am putting this airline pilot thing on the back burner.

I mean with all these RJs and shrinking airline companies will any of the junior guys or furloughed guys at the Majors make Capt before the 20 year point? It seems it is more about the life style than the flying, and 5-6 years on reserves and 20 as an FO ain't exactly living high-on-the-hog. ANY THOUGHTS?

-Grounded

 

[pegasus]

Well that is a question on all poolies minds (and furloughees).

Beat this for a depressing story.

I have come to the conclusion that the phrase "it could get worse" no longer applies. Having left the the mil following the "go get your type rating" call, I have been hanging on for grim death, waiting for a class.
I have seen myself move further down the list. I was originally told to expect a March class. (What were they thinking?) I have worked 3 different, awful, admin jobs (currently earn $12/hr!). I work 11 hr days when I can get the overtime. I have been offered a job that paid $43/hr, only to have it yanked away due to security clearances. (i was there for 5 hours) I have tried to get my teaching qual recognised by the State education system only for them to tell me to spend more money on an evaluation, with no promise of recognition. My savings are nearly gone and I try to support the family (wife/2 kids) as best I can. I have applied to industry, education, transportation, you name it. I have networked, advertised, phone called, badgered and begged and all to no avail. A friend has just been injured in a serious motor accident and is not expected to survive.
Oh, and our insurance co has just refused to pay for my wife's op ($9,000). Still, look on the bright side.....?
Our landlord kicks us out in Feb. So to answer your question, I have given us til Feb and then I'm outta here. Back to the mil so at least I can put bread on the table. And I still hope and pray that the classes will start and I could get on with my life.

Beat that for a depressing story!

 

[LiveFreeorDie]

Ouch

That is a sad story. Atleast when you go back to the military, hold out for a cush assignment. I have a friend (Furloughed from AA) who bargained a bit before he signed the doted line. First they offered him a T-37 to Laughlin, TX. But he got them to agree on a T-43 to Pennsicola (wings of gold). I also think SWA will let you keep your spot in the list. Just make sure to update your date available before they call you for a class, that way it isn't like you are refusing a class date. Anyways hang in there and I hope your wife has a speedy recovery.

 

[RJones]

I am not bailing out, no-way! This is just a sideshow until I'm on-board with SWA. Do whatever you can to make it but you owe it to yourself and family to hang-on and enjoy a great career with SWA.

Going back to the military is not an option for me -- I did my time, however, if it was I'm not sure I would. The military binds you to a commitment that effectively puts your life on hold until your let loose. If a month or so after your in SWA calls and they have a class date for you how are you going to feel.

Find a way to hang-on pegasus, don't give up. It's like the hockey game I played last night, down 4-1 and it's late in the second. We need to find a way to get back in the game. So we dug deep and found a solution and went on to beat them 4-10. Find that solution folks and hang-on!

RJ #24

 

[OPIE01]

Staying on the Pool list

I wouldn't count on staying on the pool list indefinitely if you return to active duty. If you could work a 1 year assignment, that would be one thing. But if you took a 3 year assignment that might be something different. I would hope there are Guard or Reserve jobs out there.

A guy that is furloughed is in a different boat. He has a line # already, so he can take Mil leave of absence.

If you don’t have a line # and they call you for a class and your not on stop loss, you may be asked to resubmit for an interview.

It is sad but amazing how this hiring cycle is the same over and over again. The Dudes in the early 90s went through the same things. Nothing easy is worthwhile, Nothing worthwhile is easy.

I will continue to pray for you all. You have some very hard choices to make.

 

[duke23]

A Glint of Optimism

I ran into one of my friends yesterday who wrote one of my LORs last year. He was in the last training class before Sep 11th and was just in Dallas for his one year "off" Probation check ride last week.

He asked me how everything was going and when I replied with my standard "things don't look too good right now" he looked very surprised. He told me that while he was in Dallas he heard 200-500 next year and was under the honest to god impression classes might kick in again in January.

Take it for what it's worth, but obviously everyone down there is not in the doom and gloom mode.

 

[OPIE01]

A place to live

pegasus

I have a large 4 bedroom house off I-95 in Northern North Carolina. If you get evicted you are more than welcome to move into my finished basement. It has 3 bedrooms, a family room, W&D, and 2 Bathrooms. I have a large kitchen full of food. Our Family is so busy, you wouldn't even know we lived there.

This offer stands for anyone who is out of Airspeed and Ideas.

Please don't give up. It is always darkest before the storm clears. I just returned from Southeast Asia training Dudes to call in airstrikes against the Taliban and Al-queda. If we give up, that means the terrorists have succeded.

I will continue to pray for you and your family.

 

[KC-10 Driver]

Just when I think that life has been hard on me and my family (currently furloughed, and spending a lot of time away from home on active duty), I am brought back to reality.

My life is peaches by comparison to what some others are going through right now.

I wish you all good luck, and hope that you keep the faith. SWA will be well worth it in the end. Hold on any way you can!

As for me, I am also a SWA poolie. However, I have decided to go to class with JetBlue next month.

Hang on there, and you won't regret it.

 

[chase]

Info from Training

I had lunch today at SWA HHQ & spoke to a friend going through training. He said the folks in training are expecting new hire training in early 1Q'03. About 100 folks but not sure how these are spread out over the year. Retirements next year are a little under 100. I don't know if these are in response to these (I doubt it). I go to training later this month & will try to clarifying info.

Again all of this is contingent on how we do in the 4th qtr. Bookings are off but whether they are off to historical numbers or just 1 year ago (post 911) is hard to tell. The word from management 3qtr will be tough with little profit (probably less than 2nd qtr) & 4th will be touch & go. However if we made money last year in 4qtr with high capital expenditures I would think we could ink out profit this year. Lets hope so.

Will report when I get more info.

roy white dal/fo
alias chase

p.s. decided to come out of the closet (so to speak)

 

[tredding@swa]

gee...

I have not checked in for a while... was kinda hoping to get some good news here.... WOW!?! Couldn't have been more wrong...

I understand your position, all of us waiting, some with a job not worth having, or no job at all... looks pretty bleak right now in the airline industry.... heck aviation in general from a pilot's prospective looks bad on all fronts.

It will not be down, bad, dismal or horrible forever.

Whatever your source of faith and belief, find some.... hang in there and believe that your dream WILL come true. Otherwise there is no hope.... I can't believe in NO hope. No way!

I am lucky to have a pretty great job, although I did not think I would have it for more than 4 months as I was "expecting" a June '02 class.... unfortunately the job requires tons of time away from home... but I have the most awesome wife who supports this madnees called a pilot career 110%. Bless her soul....

Watching my name move DOWN the poolie list has been discouraging.... hate to say it (perhaps it will motivate you to stay???) but the more of you that bail, the better it is for me, BECAUSE THERE IS NO F**CKING WAY THAT I AM GIVING UP ON MY SLOT @ SWA!!!

I started this journey 21 years ago, 10 years ago I made the decision to become a SWA pilot..... I'll be doing laps in this pool until the phone rings calling me to DAL, I don't care if it takes 5 years for that call to come!!!!

For all of you who want to help me move up the list, let me make it easy for you;

http://www.jetblue.com/workhere/JobDetail.asp?jobId=15

http://www.pilot.fedex.com/

http://www.upsjobs.com/cgi-bin/job-search-page

http://www.airtran.com/aboutus/employ/pilot.jsp

http://atacareers.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/atacareers.cfg/php/enduser/home.php

http://www.navyjobs.com/index.jsp?hasFlash=true

http://www.airforce.com/index_fr.htm

http://www.goarmy.com/job/warrant/

http://www.netjets.com/careers/Jobs_Pilots.asp

They may not all be hiring right now... but I want you to have as much help as possible, so you can HELP ME achieve my dreams a little quicker!?!?!?

Keep the FAITH everyone.... hang in there as long as you can I AM CONVINCED that the wait will more than payoff!!!!

Regards - Tred

 

[Maynard]

tredding@swa

Finally someone with some common sense. Thank you. It's a no-brainer if you have crunched and grinded like some of us that have seen this cycle over and over again only to see SWA come out smelling like a rose. One Word. "Big Picture". Some just don't get it. You do...Hang in there, We'll fly together someday...
(I started this journey 24 years ago, got turned down twice, and it's worth it, Big Time to have this awesome job). This is one of the few companies that CARE about its employees. You'll see...

 

[pegasus]

This thread is more like a support group and right now the therapy is doing wonders!

Sometimes I get a little short-sighted, but you guys really help put it all in perspective.

Opie, that is the most generous offer I could imagine. I appreciate it more than you could know. I hope to be able to move into a smaller place soon, cut expenses way back, sell the truck; whatever it takes. Maynard, thanks for the jolt of reality. You are right, I waited for this opportunity and if I miss it I will regret it forever. I continue to persue all avenues to ensure I can last out.
Chase, keep us updated.
Has anybody ever written to Herb for information or advice? Just wondered!


Thanks for all the support guys.

 

[Yahtzee]

Centcom IMA Position?

Pegasus,

I have a friend, and fellow SWA poolie, who left the active duty AF last year. He moved to Tampa and is working as an IMA for Centcom and the man...Gen Tommy Franks.

He is still activated, and I believe SWA is most understanding of his situation. Even, if they did call him for a class, he isn't able to go, so he just continues to give SWA updates on his situation. I think Centcom is looking for more IMAs.

If you would like more info, send me a PM or just post a request here, and I'll get you in touch with my friend.

My friend works in a rated position, so you would get flight pay.

Prayers to you and your family.

Yahtz

 

[waitin]

you da man

OPIE01,
That was cool. Refreshing to see a true act of humanity these days. Thanks from all of the poolies for seeing the "bigger" picture.