ToiletDuck

My god how much do you want from a group flying only 737s? You're FO's are currently making more than a lot of CA's out there. If lack of growth and retirements is all you have to worry about in todays economy where pilots have been hitting the streets by the thousands and others make half what you do then I'd suggest you sit down and write them a letter thanking them for everything you do have includinig the top notch pay. Does gifted horse ini the mouth ring a bell?

SWAcapt

The reduction comes from the reduced flying in the first 3 months of '09 ...it's not in addition to. Yes we are currently overmanned by about 250 pilots but your 'translation' is wrong, just because we temporarily shrink the schedule buy trimming the unproductive shoulders off the flight schedule does not mean we sell the planes. We own roughly 75% of our aircraft outright and can now position some spares around the system. We will need them when we start MSP, LGA, and a third new city this year. We are scheduled to have 2 less airplanes at the end of '09 than we have now.

I heard from Gary's lips on thurs. night in person that furloughing employees is his absolute last option. Remember after 9-11, SWA did not only NOT furlough but also paid full pay and benefits to all employees.

Perhaps you have not checked out the news lately, but things are not real good with the economy / employment and the US Govt is planning to accelerate the monitization of our currency (printing another trillion without any backing). Most the people loosing their jobs will not be traveling for business or pleasure. Would you suggest that we fly empty airplanes around the system. Fortunately, we have a management team that actually manages. Am I slightly nervous about the state of our industry? Absolutely. I am however more concerned about my friends at other carriers as I believe it will become more painful for them before it gets really bad at SWA. No, Gary is no Herb, but I'll take him over any other airline CEO/Pres. any day.

staplegun

Ha, ha, ha... you guys crack me up!

If I had $5 for every pilot who told me in 1991 I'd never be furloughed from Delta I'd be rich!

Your company doesn't care about you, you're only an hourly wage-earner. If it makes financial sense for them to furlough, they will.

Don't drink the Kool-Aide!

Plan accordingly...


Kevin

Roger Ball

True dat...Gary does not care that much about people, only numbers. The ONLY thing that has kept everyone on property during hard times in the past was the union agreeing to reduced monthly totals for everyone and THAT is why SWA has never furloughed. Saying no SWA pilot has ever taken a pay cut is total garbage as we are under reduced monthly totals right now which IS A PAY CUT. Staplegun nailed it (pun intended)...they will furlough if they need to (or wring some FURTHER reduce monthly totals out of SWAPA).

SWAcapt

Riddle me this Kevin, Why did it not make financial sense for SWA to furlough after 9-11 when all the other carriers did. Answer: It was a huge financial burden to not only keep us all on the payroll but also to pay us as if we were flying even when they shutdown the airspace. We are currently carrying 250-300 extra pilots right now. If SWA did not care about them, they would be on the street. OOps, I guess that shoots down your theory. Sorry you are so bitter and cynical. If I had $5 for every pilot that told me I was crazy for wanting to go to SWA, I'd be rich ... oh ya, I forgot that I am. I planned accordingly and still own my retirement funds and have not taken a pay cut. Sorry things did not work out for you, perhaps you should have planned accordingly. So do I still "crack you up"?

Don't drink the cyanide!

SWAcapt

RW, that was the intent and why I asked him if I was still "cracking him up". Thought it was a pretty arrogant post so I thought both barrels were appropriate. Rich is not always a monetary state, peace of mind is priceless.

MILPILOT17

OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GUNS-GUNS-GUNS!

Excel

Question: Has anyone here been typed in the 73 in the last 12 months? A year ago I looked into getting the type (applied with no type rating, and of course never got the call...) and I am wondering if the prices have come down with the recent lack of classes and the outlook for the next 24 months. Last year:

HP was 7,380 for a 2 week course
K&S was 7,050 for a full course, I cant read my chicken scratch but I think I had them at 6,250 for the shorter homestudy 9-10 day course.

Thanks

Waldo11

Got my type end of Jul 08 from HP. Still talk with one the owners frequently. The classes have slowed down but are still going on. HP has many other type and training programs that keep them busy.

$7380 was the price. I believe I've seen a $5500 5.5 day course from Lone Eagle, but when you do decide to take the leap, remember you get what you pay for.

Excel

I didnt know there was a 5.5 course offered anywhere... The only thing that stopped me was the fact that I couldnt take 10-14days off from my current flying gig!... Good info though, thank you!