ACEFLYERSWA

Sorry its called sarcasm, I know its hard to get sometimes when its in writing.

4 Fan Trashcan

And therein lies the problem. I start terminal leave tomorrow. I've gotta traditional ANG job lined up, put is it gonna pay the bills for what might be a 2-year float at the SWA Poolie Community Pool? I sure hope so. What if (and BIG what if) SWA calls earlier than planned and I'm back on AD cause I pulled my papers? It's a calculated risk. Do you believe that things could change if the economy gets healthier in the 2d half of 09? What if another airline folds and SWA goes in for the kill? What advantage does SW leadership gain by painting a "the sky is falling" picture for it's pilots while negotiating a new contract with them?

I'm keeping in mind that some guys waited 2 years for class after 9/11. Either way, I'm betting on SWA to still be standing when everything's said and done. Not sure the same can be said for anybody else. Or, I'll be back on AD flying RC-12s or UAS' because I bet wrong.

JDFlyer

We are in the pool.

Scoop

[quote=4 Fan Trashcan;544991]
What if (and BIG what if) SWA calls earlier than planned and I'm back on AD cause I pulled my papers? It's a calculated risk. Do you believe that things could change if the economy gets healthier in the 2d half of 09? What if another airline folds and SWA goes in for the kill?

You may be able to start the job with SWA and then go out on MIL LV depending on your exact circumstances. This may not work however, if you never left active duty. I know people who have been very lucky in similar situations. Get real smart on USERRA fast. Also, consider not pulling your papers, getting out, and then trying for a recall to AD.

Scoop

Razor

I'm not in the SWA pool so I didn't get the email but just curious what the PD is telling you? Good luck!

BoeingTanker

Last e-mail stated that they were not planning on ANY training classes for 2009. But also stated that things can change fast. But clearly with the cut in flights, the news from PD, and then the quarterly conference call last week with the CEO saying "no growth in 2009 and 2010", this is going to take a while.

I know in previous years their stated time frame to the poolies was a lot longer than the actual time it took to get them in classes. We'll see if things change.

Possible things that could trigger some classes? IF another carrier goes bankrupt? When they finalize the pilots contract? Who knows, I'm along for the ride at this point.

Good luck to everyone else in the pool.

4 Fan Trashcan

Will the new contract have a provision for required growth? Especially considering the ruckus that the Volaris & WestJet codeshare caused? No growth means no upgrades, so I'm wondering if the company will sweeten the deal for the F/O's looking at a 12+ year upgrade?

But anyway, JDFlyer's got it right.

BoeingTanker

Absolutely, Happiness is a spot in the pool.

EEmbraer

First, I know that I am only a regional guy but I needed to engage in a conversation that was more than just name calling between pilots. I hope that you don't mind.

Second, I don't know who you can put the blame on for the direction of the airline industry as a whole. I don't think that anyone (not just in this industry) knows what to expect right now because the entire country has entered into a new game where no one knows the rules. To me, it seems like those that keep on playing by the old rules are the ones that are failing miserably. Those that know the game has changed and are waiting for the new rule set (or are creating their own rules) are the ones that are going to survive this. Its been my observations that SWA is a member of the latter.

The new concept of the game isn't about how to continually create profit. The new concept of the game is how to hemorrhage the least amount (again, SWA is winning this one).

AU96

Concur with JD, Four Fan, and Boeing - still very happy and grateful to be in the pool...I'll gladly keep treadin' water and work something out while I do!