JulesWinfield

I don’t think it’s possible. They only got 1800 and couldn’t handle it in 2022. They said every mandatory retirement creates around 5 training events, due to all of the moment.

Flyweight

If you trust fluff c-suite speak. Training at Virginia Ave will be at capacity until it isn’t with new hires and upgrades.

poopooplatter

My guess is that within 30-ish days, we will get a memo, stating that “due to the weaknesses exposed by our Christmas “oopsie” we will be scaling back our projections for the year, to reinforce our core, build our infrastructure where it needs to be…yadda yadda.”

Poopoo out.

ZapBrannigan

If I say something like that I get accused of being Eeyore. But yes, I agree with you.

hoover

I think they'll say we still plan on our projected hiring etc but we will have to spend a butt load to get our company where it needs to be and we'll need you to accept the contract we offer, well below industry, to do it all. Warrior spirit

ZapBrannigan

Nope. Break it up and sell the pieces to Delta if you must. I’m tired of working for “failing carriers” and that being the excuse for substandard contracts. There’s more to a CBA than pay rates.

TNDeltaFlyboy

I’m somewhat, possibly, so-so clued in on our hiring plans and the latest was 200/mo until Summer ‘23. They plan to send all instructors to the line for the summer months and then we’d go back to about 100/mo the rest of the year. That, if true, doesn’t get us close to 2000 for the year. Maybe 1500ish.

Smooth at FL450

and then they send out 25000 RR points to each passenger affected and those spring break travel plans are back on track!

e6bpilot

Just my opinion, but I think they are dead set on hiring that number this year come hell or high water. They have repeatedly indicated to investors and the media that we are short staffed on pilots. Those aircraft deliveries are coming this year and next year whether we want them to or not. We already have aircraft sitting around waiting for pilots to fly them and gates that we are playing whack a mole with that they absolutely do not want to give up.
Cutting back on hiring pilots is a big signal that you are going to give up market share in a high demand travel economy. Despite our past and despite our current woes, I think this company is in a very aggressive growth mentality right now. The things that take a long time to accomplish like pilot hiring, aircraft deliveries, and constructing infrastructure are all full steam ahead.
Southwest Airlines has essentially been stagnant since 2015. They are sending all the right signals that a growth spurt is right around the corner. This year will be very telling as to whether they decide to execute on that or to stay on the defense like they have been since Gary grew the airline post Wright amendment.

The meltdown was what it was. Either the C Suite will decide to fix it or they will just wait on the next one to occur. The announcement that they are going to open up their pocketbook and give everyone all their money back plus 25k rapid rewards points means this will all soon be forgotten by anyone who didn't spend Christmas Day sleeping on an airport floor. Customers are fickle, and airfare is expensive. They'll be back.

chrisreedrules

Does that include the projected 300-400 additional pilots needed if the current AIP passes membership ratification?