SWA rumor mill

[scoreboardII]

Heard SWA is hiring close to 600 this year.

 

[contrail67]

I think they were spit on my the lovely gate agents in DEN and well, I can say it, any city UA flies to. They all seem to be well trained in excellent customer service..hmmmm, did they call if "the friendly skies?" Oh wait, the gate agents are on the ground...so that did not apply. Dang.. bad marketing plan by UA. OR it is genious....treat the customers SO bad on the ground that when they get on the flight and see a rude F/A, it won't seem so bad. (and no I never interviewed at UA...Thank Goodness)...do I sound bitter?

I felt the same way about NWA agents /FA's....you see, they are everywhere....also, All the legacys are in a similar boat with the high cost of fuel. SWA is not immune to it either. I found it interesting about a PLEAD for airline travelers to petition their congressmen to lower the price of fuel...by ALL the airlines...and yes SWA's name was on it too. WHY?
On the side note: When SWA takes over all of UAL's routes, internationally too, and they get a IE:777 to do it, will I have to buy a 777 type rating to get the job still? So I will have to have a 737 and 777 type to work at SWA? Just curious.

 

[skiandsurf]

IOn the side note: When SWA takes over all of UAL's routes, internationally too, and they get a IE:777 to do it, will I have to buy a 777 type rating to get the job still? So I will have to have a 737 and 777 type to work at SWA? Just curious.

No, you wont have to buy a 777 type rating. SWA will never operate those routes. But they will contract these out with UAL....a wet lease. (SWA, operated by UAL).

I see a SWA dominated domestic market, but the int'l routes will be contracted out to......the lowest bidder.

 

[Whataburger]

On the side note: When SWA takes over all of UAL's routes, internationally too, and they get a IE:777 to do it, will I have to buy a 777 type rating to get the job still? So I will have to have a 737 and 777 type to work at SWA? Just curious.

I am thinking that YOU won't need to worry about buying a 777 type, but other people might.
I'm just sayin'.

 

[contrail67]

I am thinking that YOU won't need to worry about buying a 777 type, but other people might.
I'm just sayin'.

Don't worry...I won't. No desire to.

 

[Noserider76]

On the side note: When SWA takes over all of UAL's routes, internationally too, and they get a IE:777 to do it, will I have to buy a 777 type rating to get the job still? So I will have to have a 737 and 777 type to work at SWA? Just curious.

Don't worry about that. I think you'll see a government bailout before anything is allowed to happen to United. It's far too important in too many areas of the world. A domestic carrier can be replaced by almost anyone but a big international carrier will almost certainly be saved if it comes down to it, in my opinion.

 

[JumpJetter]

Heard SWA is hiring close to 600 this year.

I ran into the assistant system chief pilot (I'm not sure that's the official title). He said "more than 500" by the end of the year. I think we are somewhere between 250-300 hired this year so far, so would guess at least another 200-250 this year. That would include what ever is left in the pool, which did not come up.

good luck to all
jj

 

[DH2WN]

A domestic carrier can be replaced by almost anyone but a big international carrier will almost certainly be saved if it comes down to it, in my opinion.

I think that's what someone said about TWA and PanAm...

 

[contrail67]

I think that's what someone said about TWA and PanAm...

And SWA did not replace either one did they....my bad...were they even around then?

 

[Noserider76]

I think that's what someone said about TWA and PanAm...

UAL is far bigger than both of those airlines combined.

 

[slaquer5]

On the side note: When SWA takes over all of UAL's routes, internationally too, and they get a IE:777 to do it, will I have to buy a 777 type rating to get the job still? So I will have to have a 737 and 777 type to work at SWA? Just curious.

No, trust me you would never get hired by SWA, keep your job at the car wash and start to show some pride.

 

[flyipilot]

UAL is far bigger than both of those airlines combined.

That means nothing, except more people out of work when they shut their doors.

Enron was far larger than UA, where are they now?

 

[V1 ROT8]

SWA has hired 237 pilots this year. This includes the class that started yesterday.

Has anyone heard any other SWA pilot-hiring projections for 2008?

 

[cherry20's]

I heard around 500 from HR during the interview on Tuesday

 

[goahead]

Cherry,
Was that 500 total for 2008? or 500 hired in 2008 not including those in the pool? thanks