DAL 88 Driver

Interesting stats and analysis. You say that SWA pilots "work more block hours" and "fly less credit." Yet SWA's welcome packet to the AirTran pilots doesn't seem to back that assertion up. According to the packet, the average SWA pilot flies 105 TFP ("trips for pay") and has 18 days off per month. I think I remember reading somewhere else that they average about 70-something block hours. And yet they make about 55% more than our average pilot.

And I didn't even look at the links you provided. They may paint a relevant picture, and then again they may not. You can show just about anything you want with selective statistics. The MIT guy is Swelbar. Here's an excerpt from his bio on his blog. I wouldn't necessarily put too much stock in what he has to say as he could very well have an agenda behind it and I think his credibility is suspect:

"Prior to accepting his research position at MIT, Swelbar spent 25 years in the consulting world with a focus on airline labor cost restructuring, regulatory issues governing air transport, communication strategy and support, and air service development on behalf of airports and communities."

ronnie75

Oh, I guess SWA pilots work harder than us. That is why they are paid more. OK. Back to the salt mine.

Carl Spackler

Man that's impressive. I had no idea that Hooters was a multi-million dollar corporation.

Yes it does.

Carl

forgot to bid

I don't disagree with your post at all but I will point out 1 fleet is a heck of a risk to run after the FAA generated AD debacle on the 80 series that AMR and DAL endured in 07.

Say the 737 has a design flaw that grounds them all. We lose 11% of our fleet or 14% of our domestic fleet (using 1am math mind you). SWA would lose 100%.

They also mentioned during the merger that the cost efficiencies found in a single fleet when it comes to maintenance and so forth is already maxed out given the large size of the existing MD, Airbus and Boeing fleets.

However, there are still plenty of inefficiencies including pilot training and cost.

But I agree with your post.

80ktsClamp

A number I've heard is only 16 airplanes is required to make a maintenance viable fleet.

Take that for what it's worth, because with the flip flop on numbers we've all heard over the years (how much more cost effective a CRJ-200 was over a turboprop, frequency trumps all)... it comes down to the basic statistics lesson of "if you want the numbers to say it, you can make them say it."

tsquare

It screws junior pilots... again. If you want to fly trips in my base, put in a WS or GS, and take your chances. OR... bid to my base... Otherwise, this thing is ripe for abuse... I would much rather that the ASSociation actually do something worthwhile and fix the damned reserve system. This is a bandaid on a sucking chest wound.

tsquare

I can guarantee you that no matter how bad it was.. that would NEVER happen.. ever....

chuck416

T-Square, I think Boeing would be interested in hiring a guy with the omniscience that you seem to have. All you'd need to do is somehow get that to fit onto a resume'. Not sure how that would read though. :-)

forgot to bid

Ha, I think tsquare means that this DOT, who has a man crush on $outhwest, would never allow anything detrimental to ever happen to them such as say grounding the 737.

Even if it was discovered that it has a tendency to explode in the sunshine or something along those lines.

Columbia

You forgot that they have fewer days off as well. How is it that fuel keeps going up, yet the bills are somehow getting paid (in large part by raising fares, and in small part by selling credit cards)?