The SWA Pool is about to Drain...

[xhercdriver]

Fun with numbers

I went through the list and gave everyone a "composite date" that was based on simply adding their interview month to their type month. I only used the "pool date" to rank guys with the same "composite score," and I gave a score of "0" if you got your type in 2000 or earlier. If you interviewed in March, and were typed in June, your score is 3+6=9. In the case of ties, I used pool date. Here's how the list changes based on just those two dates, for all the guys (not Stop-lossed) in the pool by September...

Sorted by type/interview "composite date" first, then by "pool date."

Name...............Score........Class

Jesse................6...........1/17
Shamufme.............8...........
Vikingpilotfriend....8...........
Falcon1..............9...........
Hungary..............9...........1/03
70734guy............10...........1/17
Buddy...............11...........1/03
LJ..................11...........1/17
N1atmax.............11...........2/21 (1/31 now?)
Rail55..............12...........
Dhampton............12...........1/31
Fredguy.............13...........1/17
Spife...............13...........1/31
MLBwingborn.........13...........1/31
Bino................13...........1/31
JWalk...............13...........
Canyonblue..........13...........
JBall...............13...........
Jodesbeininjax......13...........
Vikingpilot.........13...........
PhillipSpatz........13...........
Pilot4SWA...........13...........2/14
Oriondriver.........14...........
Loungelizard........14...........
Flufdriver..........15...........
Xhercdriver.........15...........
Romeo...............15...........
Ultrapilot..........15...........
Emb120..............15...........
Rowel...............15...........
Gimpat31............15...........
Veeonerot8..........16...........
KT..................17...........

Now, if you want to use some statistics, instead of lies or dammed lies then you'll note that the best we've done is put about 4 guys in any one class, so our pre-9/11 list probably constitutes about 20% of the actual pre-9/11 pool. That means we'd probably put about 5 or so in each class of 26. So, if your "score" is 13 or 14, it's likely that you've got a February class date. 15-17, probably March. I was told a week ago I was "probably" going to the first April class, and Jennifer claimed no knowledge of any extra Jan/Feb classes, so I'm guessing that I would move up a class or two, which the "score" shows. That also means if you were told "probably not by April," you may be back in the game

Of course, my theory and $0.59 will get you a Biggie-size for your Wendy's combo after the 3rd leg of your 8-leg trip from Hobby to El Paso, so...

 

[VeeOneRot8]

Hi OrionDriver,

The airline industry is a fairly volitile place (with very few exceptions like SWA). Most of the people on this site (myself included) have at some point in their career, been furloughed or layed off from a flying job. That's just the way it goes at most other airlines. There are many fine aviators who are on the street right now, trying to find any kind of work to support their families.

So, now let's look at your situation. You have become EXTREMELY blessed to be in the pool at SWA. There are thousands of UA, AA and DAL pilots who would love to be in your position. As a fellow poolie, I am excited about getting a class date in the future, but be careful not to let excitement turn into frustration. Our time will come...and sooner than we thought, it appears!

Best regards

VeeOneRot8

 

[flying]

Outstanding!! Hope it all works out for everyone in the pool and awaiting!!

 

[RightBettor]

Some thoughts on the pool

Hi everyone,

Okay, here's what I came up with in my "pea brain." I spoke with Jennifer today, and she stated there will be 22 people in the Jan 17th class, 26 people in the Jan 31st class and 24 to 26 people in subsequent classes. Sooo... with 3 January classes and 2 classes per month after that, I'm guessing there will be anywhere from 210 to 224 pilots hired by the end of April. (Correct me if I'm wrong on this.) Now, there is a standing rumor from "within the company" that there were 165 pilots in the pool as of about one week ago. It would seem to me that everyone who is currently in the pool will be on the property by the April 18th class. (Clear as mud? )

This theory may have holes as big as... well... as big as whatever... you may want to fill the blank there. But consider this: people who were being scheduled for January interviews were apparently being told they'd be in by April IF they were successful in the interview. Seems to jive, eh??

If anyone is reading this and has recently interviewed (or will do so soon), then please pass along any scoop you may get from any tours/briefings from the Flight Ops people.

Regards,

UAL737inLA

BTW: Hey SWA FO, I like "SWAinOAK"... a 15 minute drive to ONT and a nice short commute from ONT to OAK sounds good to me. (PHX would be great too but better seniority in OAK from what I can gather in my aforementioned "pea brain."

 

[pilot4swa]

JM returned my call from yesterday. I was gone, so this is comming from my wife.

Expect a class on Feb 14 depending on the stop loss situation. Great news!!

Oriondriver .........nevermind.

 

[spife]

Jennifer called today to ask if I could make the Jan 31 class.

OF COURSE I CAN!!!

Last friday it was, "Expect Mar 7..."
Today it changed to, "Can you be in class in 2 weeks?"

Great things are happening!

Good luck to all.

spife

 

[oriondriver]

VeeOneRot8 Wrote
"So, now let's look at your situation. You have become EXTREMELY blessed to be in the pool at SWA. There are thousands of UA, AA and DAL pilots who would love to be in your position. As a fellow poolie, I am excited about getting a class date in the future, but be careful not to let excitement turn into frustration. Our time will come...and sooner than we thought, it appears! "


For your information getting a job with SWA is not simply a blessing from the Almighty. Four years of college, 18 months of flight school, 15 total years in the Navy including several deployments, $8000 dollars for a type rating, $1000 for an ATP and the list goes on and on. I might be blessed as you say but it is more likely because of the hard work that I put into my Navy career and pursuit of the job at SWA that got me the job. As the saying goes "the more I practice the luckier I get"
Orion

 

[chase]

....and a lot of other folks helping you along the way. None of us got where we are without some help from others. We've all worked hard, some more than others. Having put 20 years in the AF & thinking I'd "worked hard" & deserved my shot with SWA (with some humility) was my thought process. However, after listening to the "war stories" my fellow civilians had done to get to SWA sometimes made my 'work hard' stories sound rather lame. My was far more enjoyable than I think some others I have heard who have gotten to SWA & other majors.

the lesson is, we don't get where we are without a lot of help from others, nothing wrong in acknowledging that too. Pls don't take this as a slam OD, we're glad to have you at SWA but I know for myself I had tasted only a small part of the "aviation world" after being exposed to much more of it flying with SWA. cheers,

chase

 

[chase]

SWA posts $.08 a share profit with bailout money. $.04 without. Full story at:

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/020117/dath009_1.html

Good news for new hires. This explains why the aggressive buildup in hiring & more airplanes. Feel free to send private IM if you have any particular questions or if you need any help. Always glad to answer the mail.

chase

 

[Jakeair]

Oriondriver, you just opened up a BIG can of worms.

Think about this ;

Four years of College.

Two years washing aircraft.

Then two years doing sh-t jobs (working as a apprentice) to get my A+P.

Three jobs at one time for about three years to pay for my own flight training.

Five different jobs as Flight instructor.

Based in four different cities (moved not paid by Mil.).

$8000 for type.

You know, It's all about ATTITUDE.

Have Fun in training, and treat people the way you would want to be treated.

Jakeair

 

[oriondriver]

Chase,
I totally agree with you that it takes help from alot of different sources along the way, however to state that being in SWA pool is like "manna falling from the heavens" just got me bent out of shape.
Jakeair, you are just helping to make my point!
Orion

 

[pegasus]

Bottom Dweller

I know, I know, I am but a mere bottom dweller in the SWA pool of life, but I got a call from Jennifer today to say that my earliest class date would be May. Previously (December) it was April so it would appear I am moving backwards! To save you the effort, interview Aug 8th, type & pool Nov 19th.
The most disappointed are my kids - dad is still cooking for another 4-5 months. My repertoire (sp?) has expanded to scrambled eggs now.
Unemployment sucks. Thank goodness for my Navy pension! Oh, and the RC plane is coming along nicely too with all the spare time.

 

[VeeOneRot8]

Orion,

Jakeair is reinforcing my point as well. I am not going to compare everybody's sacrifices to get where they are...that would be counterproductive at best. Allow me to clarify my point: Virtually no one just walks in to a major airline job (especially these days). We all have worked very hard to get where we are. I don't think anyone with both oars in the water will debate that. So did all of those AA, UA, and DAL folks who are applying at the temp agencies right now. All things being generally equal, we are "fortunate" (if you want it put that way), plain and simple. I prefer the word "blessed" personally...my apologies if it affended you.

That is all

Vee

 

[Jules]

New Lurker

New to this site, and I've been lurking for a few days. I too am in the pool, bottom of the list! Interviewed in May but due to "military necessity" had to reschedule the September type rating to the end of the year. With a pool date of 9 Jan, JM told me to expect late May. Just wanted to say hey.
Thanks for all the good info.
Jules

 

[StarrBuck]

Jules,

Welcome to the board.. some great info to be found.. I am pretty far down the list with you. When did you speak with Jennifer?

S.B>