SWA tactics on the ramp and taxiways

[Caveman]

"And to all of those wondering why AA taxiis the slowest.......

We have the longest, most retarded work-intensive taxi/before T/O checklist to which the captain must answer every item - including a mechanical checklist that is located low down on the pedestal, so at least one of us is heads down reading the darn thing. Now add the required briefing that the captain must make regarding takeoff data -

and here's the best one....drumroll..... the captain has to make the T/O PA to the flight attendants, while he's taxiing!!!

So now you know.... and now you also know why we probably have the most runway incursions of any carrier. Just give us a little extra vigilance when you see us coming your way, lol. (I do my best in keeping heads up, I don't start the checklist until we are on a big taxiway.)"

O.k., I take back all those things I muttered under my breath while strolling along behind you in DFW.

I don't think SWA is intentionally rude, but I think their fast taxi is akin to somebody doing 80 in a 55 where everybody else is obeying the limit. It's distracting and annoying because you guys aren't rolling with the flow. I'm slightly distracted from what I'm doing because I'm concerned about what you are doing. For example, it sometimes looks as if you aren't going to be able to stop even though I know you should be stopping. I react and slow down, just in case, and the guy behinds me has to react, etc, etc.

 

[KC-10 Driver]

I think you're mistaken on this one, Ty. I've not seen a trend of what you're talking about from SWA.

I've noticed individual acts of buffoonery on the rare occasion from various individual crews, but I honestly have no recollection of ever seeing what you're talking about from a SWA jet.

The SWA dudes (and dudettes) I know are very safety conscious and courteous.

 

[75M]

Well said Caveman.

 

[TexaSWA]

...but I think their fast taxi is akin to somebody doing 80 in a 55 where everybody else is obeying the limit. It's distracting and annoying because you guys aren't rolling with the flow. I'm slightly distracted from what I'm doing because I'm concerned about what you are doing. For example, it sometimes looks as if you aren't going to be able to stop even though I know you should be stopping. I react and slow down, just in case, and the guy behinds me has to react, etc, etc.

Best safety record in the industry.

 

[Caveman]

Deleted.

 

[Ty Webb]

Best safety record in the industry.

That is true, but my point, which started in another thread, is:

1) that as SWA grows and morphs, these little "tricks" that were OK when you were a smaller carrier are starting to become obvious as you expand.

and

2) There isn't room for everyone to employ some of the same tactics that I see SWA doing- for example, not calling ramp until almost off the ramp, or "taking" the right of way and then contacting ground . . . it only works when everyone else is providing the slack to let it happen . . . . . and there is less and less slack in the system every day.

 

[viking737]

Is it true that SWA has a waiver on the 10kts tailwind limitation for takeoff in the B737?
We (AA) have 2 airports where we can land with up to 15 kts of tailwind,
but I am not aware of any for takeoff.

 

[CatYaaak]

Is it true that SWA has a waiver on the 10kts tailwind limitation for takeoff in the B737?
We (AA) have 2 airports where we can land with up to 15 kts of tailwind,
but I am not aware of any for takeoff.

Don't expect any cult members to divulge cult secrets!

 

[Ty Webb]

Don't expect any cult members to divulge cult secrets!

Heh-heh . . . . The Corn Dog Cult.

Me likey.

 

[Falcon Jet 1]

We did on the -200, but all of the others are a max of 10 knots. I non revved out of the country on AA last week,my wife and I were treated like a king and queen. Wish we could do the same but all we have are peanuts and free adult beverages if you are on your way home. I did notice that pa before t/o and also I assume the fo pa taxiing into the gate area and thought what a bad time to talk to the folks. Hopefully that does change soon for you guys, and again many thanks to the class act employees that made our trip even more enjoyable.

 

[Sy-bill]

Ty,

When did you become an a$$.

Before or after your upgrade IOE.

You come off as such a poor loser.

Only a coward hides behind a mask and says the things you do.

Get off this thing and try to do something positive in your life.

 

[NuGuy]

Don't expect any cult members to divulge cult secrets!

Like how they talked the feds into wavering the pre-flight walk-around for through flights.

At other airline I've seen, a pilot MUST complete a walk-around, prior to EVERY flight. Doesn't matter if you divert into East Butthole, Texas for fuel and you have to find some steps and do a walk around...you HAVE to do it.

At our shop, the Feds have made this very, very clear.

Nu

 

[Indapool]

And we all see how thorough that walkaround is. I watched an FO for someone else walkaround the ENTIRE AIRPLANE without ever looking at it.I'd rather have our rampers take a glance at our airplane than have Opie stroll around it with his hands in his pockets whistling the theme song.

 

[usav8r]

The 10% Rule

Guys,

I think things are blown out of proportion and are isolated incidents. The 10% rule applies. There are the 10% of pilots at EVERY airline that are jerks, or blatently bend the rules. Unfortunately, we all get stereotyped. FWIW.

 

[NuGuy]

And we all see how thorough that walkaround is. I watched an FO for someone else walkaround the ENTIRE AIRPLANE without ever looking at it.I'd rather have our rampers take a glance at our airplane than have Opie stroll around it with his hands in his pockets whistling the theme song.

I didn't make this a bash a pilot thread. I simply pointed out that, for one reason or another, SWA, as a company, gets to take a few operational liberties that no one else can.

Instead you launch off at individuals. Nice way to cross the line. Don't be so defensive...it makes you sound like a JetBlue guy.

Nu

 

[Ty Webb]

Ty,

When did you become an a$.

Before or after your upgrade IOE.

I've been on this board for over 7 years, pal. If you don't like my posts, there's a handy little feature called "ignore". Use it.

You come off as such a poor loser.

I think I made it pretty clear from the start that I didn't want the MDW thing to go through. If that's how you see me, that's your problem, not mine.

Only a coward hides behind a mask and says the things you do.

Plenty of people know who I am. Sounds to me like you want to make this personal . . .

Get off this thing and try to do something positive in your life.

Gee, thanks for the free therapy session.

Maybe I should try to be more like you . . .

nah, that'd suck so bad!

 

[Sy-bill]

Just thought I would "stir the pot" a little on you also.

 

[Ty Webb]

I think you should lay off the pot . . . . at least until you get your notice.

 

[Sy-bill]

I think you should lay off the pot . . . . at least until you get your notice.

Same to you. Just a link to remind you about stirring pots. Its your quote a few posts down.

http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?t=45763&page=5&pp=15

 

[Hobiehawker]

I think you should lay off the pot . . . . at least until you get your notice.

And that came from a grownup?

In short order I am amazed at the imaturity of some on this forum.

Sy-bill,

That is classic!!

 

[aa73]

We did on the -200, but all of the others are a max of 10 knots. I non revved out of the country on AA last week,my wife and I were treated like a king and queen. Wish we could do the same but all we have are peanuts and free adult beverages if you are on your way home. I did notice that pa before t/o and also I assume the fo pa taxiing into the gate area and thought what a bad time to talk to the folks. Hopefully that does change soon for you guys, and again many thanks to the class act employees that made our trip even more enjoyable.

Thankfully, the FO PA arriving at the gate has changed. Now all we have to say is "F/As prepare for arrival and crosscheck", but only once the aircraft has come to a stop.

It's still stupid that we have to say even that PA, since at every other airline that is an F/A PA. But at least we aren't giving it anymore with the aircraft still moving close to the gate. One small step towards a safer operation....

As for the captain's "prepare for T/O PA"... I still fly with a bunch that start yapping away about route of flight, welcome aboard, departure direction, etc.... all this while taxiing! Total violation of sterile.

 

[MX Rider]

Instead you launch off at individuals. Nice way to cross the line. Don't be so defensive...it makes you sound like a JetBlue guy.

Nu

Funny!

 

[MLBWINGBORN]

Ty Webb.

That has to be the most reckless,unprofessional, un-supported rant ive ever seen.

I have never seen nor even heard of anyone here playing such games.

I have however seen many cases of what you accuse us of on the part of other folks.
Most cases we just laugh at such childish rants or actions.

We at SWA are not into making "statements" or trying to "push" the buttons of either the traveling public nor our fellow aviators.

Our record and reputation speaks for itself.

Yours however is now a little less than before.

Such a comment is beneath even you..

 

[SWA/FO]

Yeah, take that!

 

[canyonblue]

That "fast taxi" rumor is another myth that has been going on for ever, and threads like this just keep it alive. "Yea, I saw Southwest doing 90kts downhill in the snow on taxiway Lima with one engine at Fargo". Time to put a stop to the myth guys. And while you are all at it please stop the industry myth that we have the biggest units, your F/A's keep calling our rooms on the overnights. On second thought, keep that one going.

 

[LearAv8r]

ty = douchebag


get a life idiot.....don't have a clue do you?

 

[TweetPilot2000]

Being Cut-off

I have seen Delta on several ocassions intentionally cut us off by taxing before they call for taxi even though we had received our clearance to the runway. The Prima Donna's at Delta love blaming others for their problems.

 

[SWA/FO]

Ty no longer knows what he is talking about. Maybe that witness protection program is getting to him?

 

[AFcitrus]

3 Months ago in BWI we were told by ground control that our sequence was the A320 (I think a Cactus, but I can't remember) and to follow them to 15R. As we approached a merge in two taxiways we saw two SW jets waiting for the A320 and us to go by. As the 320 passed in front of them the first 737 "gunned" the power and cut us off. We slammed the breaks on, throwing our FA's against some seats as they did their demos. As we started to taxi again, the second SW jet did the same thing. We questioned ground (who had given everyone their sequence) and after a LONG pause, the controller came back and said "Oh, I guess they changed the sequence". "They" must have been that other controlling agency who gives contradictary clearances from the actual ATC controllers. This was a dangerous maneuver which could have resulted in injuries to our flight attendants and/or a collision. Yes, this kind of thing does happen.

Now, I don't think this is something SW tells their pilots to do to gain a couple minutes in the departure line. Rather, I think a couple of "cowboy" captains decided on their own that they were tired of waiting for some sequence they didn't understand. (I wish I knew why ATC does everything they do). Every airline has its "cowboy" captains. So to say this doesn't happen is ignorant. I just don't think it is a conspiracy by an airline. 99% of the pilots flying are phenomenal. Unfortunately, the 1% sometimes ruin it for the rest.

Cheers.

 

[canyonblue]

Lesson learned. Some SWA guys may be dangerous. When near a SWA aircraft, slow down, give the right away unless ground dictates otherwise. Better for you to come to a complete stop, rather than risk your life. Never assume that you are to be sequenced in front of a Southwest aircraft, to do so would be foolish on your part. Follow this and there will be no more problems.