SWA Poolies - Hiring to Start

[chase]

New Deal Means Growth—Including More Pilots and Flight Attendants

Blog By: Mike Van de Ven on Sep 27, 2010 at 7:00am

I'm sure you all are still buzzing from this morning's exciting news. I couldn't be more optimistic about the future of Southwest Airlines and the many opportunities this acquisition brings us. In addition to seeing an opportunity to grow our earnings, an approved deal also presents a number of network opportunities. In order to take advantage of these opportunities, we will be increasing the utilization of our existing fleet in 2011. Naturally, this increase in aircraft utilization means more flights, which requires additional Flight Crews. So, I am happy to say that we are back in the business of hiring Pilots and Flight Attendants!

We are tentatively planning to add 150-200 new Pilots and 250-300 new Flight Attendants next year. Since we haven’t hired Flight Crews since 2008, our hiring Teams will soon begin an aggressive schedule to interview and process qualified candidates. We expect to have 100 Pilots begin New Hire training in first quarter 2011, and start rolling into our system in March. Additional Pilot classes will follow as required. Flight Attendant classes also will begin in first quarter 2011, and will include three classes of approximately 100 each. They will start rolling into our system in April.
Of course, more flights doesn't just create the need for more Flight Crews. Rest assured, we will be hiring as needed for our other operational groups as well. Stay tuned for more news on this.

I know many of you have been eagerly anticipating growth for our Company, and I’m looking forward to adding to our Family.

 

[shootr]

This hiring may or may not happen. I hope it does. As has been pointed out on another forum, it's just a bone to soften the blow from the buyout of Citrus.

shootr

 

[737tanker]

SWA announced that it will take 2 years to merge the operations with AirTran. They have already announce new service to EWR, GPS, and CHS will start in 2011, well before the merger is complete. The announced hiring of 150 pilots is for that new service starting in March.

 

[GuppyWN]

We are going to HAVE to hire to fill the schedule for March. Good luck boys. I hope you don't end up ********************ed on the backside of this.

Gup

 

[Whataburger]

Great!!

 

[chase]

This hiring may or may not happen. I hope it does. As has been pointed out on another forum, it's just a bone to soften the blow from the buyout of Citrus.

shootr

Shootr,

Mike announced it at 7 AM today...the AAI announcement occurred prior to that. I can't see SWA announcing hiring and then taking it back because of the AAI merger....why release it in the first place?

Whether it is a carrot or not, SWA will have new hires flowing again in 2011 and flying will be added...we have 3 new cities and increasing loads.

AAI has new hires in their pipeline right now which helps our junior most pilots when it comes to pilot integration.

Again this is good news for the poolies to be on property....sooner the better!!!

 

[Bigoober]

Won't there be a snapshot taken now before these poolies are on property?

 

[stb]

Not to be an A$$ but...Could it be for a training float?

Hope it wont be one.

 

[ERfly]

Any idea how many are left in the pool and when/if the app window will open up again?

 

[HalinTexas]

Shootr,

Mike announced it at 7 AM today...the AAI announcement occurred prior to that. I can't see SWA announcing hiring and then taking it back because of the AAI merger....why release it in the first place?

Whether it is a carrot or not, SWA will have new hires flowing again in 2011 and flying will be added...we have 3 new cities and increasing loads.

AAI has new hires in their pipeline right now which helps our junior most pilots when it comes to pilot integration.

Again this is good news for the poolies to be on property....sooner the better!!!

Because those in charge of hiring weren't told of the impending merger. THAT'S how you keep a secret.

 

[StopNTSing]

Not to be an A$$ but...Could it be for a training float?

Hope it wont be one.

Doubtful, since currently every SWA pilot is qualified on every SWA aircraft, there's really nothing to "float." The RNP training we've been doing for the last year is the closest thing we've had to a training float, and it will be wrapping up in December. Yes, yes, yes I know....the 717s are now in the mix, but way too early to tell what will happen to them and how long before they are fully integrated into the operation (company is saying two years).

 

[BigDave]

Because those in charge of hiring weren't told of the impending merger. THAT'S how you keep a secret.

"Today, in fact, buoyed by our increased 2011 profit outlook that AirTran brings, Mike Van de Ven, our Chief Operating Officer, is announcing new hire classes for Pilots and Flight Attendants. That, in and of itself, is very exciting because that's the first time we've hired since 2008."

That is from Garry

 

[propilot]

So if the merger goes thru, do the current AirTran pilots who are flying the 717 still have to go and pay for their own 73 type in order to stay employed? Will SWA keep the 717?

 

[MILPILOT17]

News Flash: Tanker Clown was wrong again! Now he can go have another Hot Cup of STFU!

 

[ERfly]

Anyone know if they're going to open the app window for this?

 

[waveflyer]

Good question--- and poolies- please keep us up on what you hear from the PD- thx- and hope to see you on line soon

 

[Bigoober]

Got a text from a good friend in training. The Dir of Flt Ops came in to talk to the group and told them 2 classes of about 20 each in January. Also said that the 717 was staying around.

 

[SO CAL]

Yes they will open the APP window.

 

[JT12345]

Doubtful, since currently every SWA pilot is qualified on every SWA aircraft, there's really nothing to "float." The RNP training we've been doing for the last year is the closest thing we've had to a training float, and it will be wrapping up in December. Yes, yes, yes I know....the 717s are now in the mix, but way too early to tell what will happen to them and how long before they are fully integrated into the operation (company is saying two years).

Airtran is hiring 12 a month till March. We r getting 2 717s this year and 4 737s 1st and second quarter next year. We have hired around 70 pilots this year since the economic meltdown.

The leases on the 717s are up starting in 2015-2017. The merger will hopefully be done before that. There are other issues with the 717s. We r the only operator now that Mexicana is in bankruptcy. They had 25 717s. Not sure what kind of dealings with Boeing will happen about them. Beyond my paygrade, but I know that Boeing did not want us to be the sole operator of 717s.

 

[BigDave]

Airtran is hiring 12 a month till March. We r getting 2 717s this year and 4 737s 1st and second quarter next year. We have hired around 70 pilots this year since the economic meltdown.

The leases on the 717s are up starting in 2015-2017. The merger will hopefully be done before that. There are other issues with the 717s. We r the only operator now that Mexicana is in bankruptcy. They had 25 717s. Not sure what kind of dealings with Boeing will happen about them. Beyond my paygrade, but I know that Boeing did not want us to be the sole operator of 717s.

Hawaiian Air has 15 717.

 

[Captzaahlie]

Good luck to everyone wanting and getting that interview!

 

[bigred]

OK, haven't posted in a while, but here's some advice. For all my military brethren out there, if SWA or Air Tran calls and offers you a class date, take it. I don't care if your Wing CC says life on earth will end as we know it if you get out, leave, right then. The wrong decision here could cost you, literally, hundreds of thousands of dollars.

 

[waveflyer]

OK, haven't posted in a while, but here's some advice. For all my military brethren out there, if SWA or Air Tran calls and offers you a class date, take it. I don't care if your Wing CC says life on earth will end as we know it if you get out, leave, right then. The wrong decision here could cost you, literally, hundreds of thousands of dollars.

If you're navy/marine/cg/army follow that advice-
If AF - get out stay in but sign up for "the book" addiction rehab and get some social skills and judgement training, w/ a side order of ego reduction...
;-)

Civilians- take note, get ready to interview and do well- we want you here!

 

[TristarPilot]

Got a call tonight from the PD. Was not at home to take the call. Message sounded good and in line with 1st Quarter hiring rumors. Will find out tomorrow. Swimming since 2008.

 

[Whaler]

I missed an "Unknown" call earlier. Was thinking it might be RJ from the PD. Guess I'll check in tomorrow, even though I am AF.......

 

[Moon-dog]

I had a msg on my machine as well, but just got it. WIll call them tomorrow.

 

[TV9Driver]

what do I do? I am an AirTran pilot currently in the SWA pool......

 

[waveflyer]

I missed an "Unknown" call earlier. Was thinking it might be RJ from the PD. Guess I'll check in tomorrow, even though I am AF.......

Congrats! And I can't wait to buy the beers- even if you're scared of the weather! Haha - hope to see you very soon!
;-)

 

[Whaler]

I managed to find some of those scary white things in 74's, 75's and 76's not to mention a bunch capped at 250 in a -8..., but I'll still take those beers....

 

[waveflyer]

what do I do? I am an AirTran pilot currently in the SWA pool......

Wow- was wondering if there's any of you- I know USAIR furloughs who are west pilots now- I know united furloughs at continental- though they already had to make their choice by then, and northwest pilots who were in the delta pool
This is the one company I would feel free to be honest and ask them-
How long at air tran?