2014 SWA life on reserve.
#71
Summer utilization should be high.
The winter/fall were uncharacteristically low.
Reserve ute used to be VERY hi at SWA, but this year has so many strange factors. Hiring, AT training conversion, hi a/c ute rates.
I'm going to guess that until school starts it will be heavy workload.
The winter/fall were uncharacteristically low.
Reserve ute used to be VERY hi at SWA, but this year has so many strange factors. Hiring, AT training conversion, hi a/c ute rates.
I'm going to guess that until school starts it will be heavy workload.
#73
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,374
I am living it now. October and November are traditionally low months and open time is scarce or nonexistent especially for the bottom 50 percent in any base/seat. That being said, I have been assigned a trip of some sort for each reserve block I have had this month, always a day in advance. Nobody has called to pull any of my trips, either, as line pilots are allowed to fly reserve trips if they want. I suppose that is about the only perk of sitting weekend reserve...nobody wants to fly the weekends so I get used and generally make a little extra money.
Staffing levels are high right now and only getting higher due to the final push to get the airtran guys over here. I expect to be sitting a lot from January until the spring and summer travel seasons are upon us. The word from the training center and the GO is that they are going to be hiring new hires next year after airtran is done in March. That is a leading indicator of more seats to put those butts in, but there hasn't been any announcement of fleet growth outside of a few off lease purchases and other cats and dogs. The older 300's and 500's are slowly going away, but I fly a classic at least one day of every trip, so there are still plenty out there.
New hires from early this year made it to the bases of their choice outside of Denver, Atlanta, and Orlando. Those at west coast bases are bidding blank lines and a few hard lines. From June on (the last 200 or so) are all sitting some form of reserve. Those hired in July and August are stuck out west in PHX, OAK, and LAS with a few exceptions.
So far so good, with the exception of the one percenters, this is a great place to work. My pay checks still cash on the 5th and the 20th, and my family is kept relatively happy by my very junior schedule.
I was able to bid Thanksgiving off, and I am about 10 from the bottom in my base. Through trading and schedule manipulation, I got the whole week off. QOL is there, even for junior guys, you just have to work harder to find it.
Staffing levels are high right now and only getting higher due to the final push to get the airtran guys over here. I expect to be sitting a lot from January until the spring and summer travel seasons are upon us. The word from the training center and the GO is that they are going to be hiring new hires next year after airtran is done in March. That is a leading indicator of more seats to put those butts in, but there hasn't been any announcement of fleet growth outside of a few off lease purchases and other cats and dogs. The older 300's and 500's are slowly going away, but I fly a classic at least one day of every trip, so there are still plenty out there.
New hires from early this year made it to the bases of their choice outside of Denver, Atlanta, and Orlando. Those at west coast bases are bidding blank lines and a few hard lines. From June on (the last 200 or so) are all sitting some form of reserve. Those hired in July and August are stuck out west in PHX, OAK, and LAS with a few exceptions.
So far so good, with the exception of the one percenters, this is a great place to work. My pay checks still cash on the 5th and the 20th, and my family is kept relatively happy by my very junior schedule.
I was able to bid Thanksgiving off, and I am about 10 from the bottom in my base. Through trading and schedule manipulation, I got the whole week off. QOL is there, even for junior guys, you just have to work harder to find it.
Last edited by e6bpilot; 10-27-2014 at 07:17 AM.
#75
#77
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,374
No actual stats, just hearing things around the office, but there are a few new hires that have moved on to other offers within their first three months or so. I haven't heard of anyone off probation that has quit and gone to another major.
#78
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2007
Posts: 127
It appears to be true that new hires are not showing for new hire class. Numbers I do not have. Why? Probably, the new hires have a choice of airlines. Upgrade is probably the deciding factor on what airline to go to.
For everyone at SWA, live in a domicle, regardless of where it is. If you can hold it, go there. Quality of life goes up big time. Regardless if you are a reserve or line holder.
FLL and HOU will be coming on line in 2015 for international travel. Since HOU is a base, makes sense that FLL will be a base as well.
There seems to be some good traction with satellite bases coming online very soon. TPA, BNA, STL, RDU, and MCI are possible choices. I think BNA and TPA would be the top choices for the small satellite bases. Many commuters live in these cities. Small bases yes, but living in these cities would be a plus.
For everyone at SWA, live in a domicle, regardless of where it is. If you can hold it, go there. Quality of life goes up big time. Regardless if you are a reserve or line holder.
FLL and HOU will be coming on line in 2015 for international travel. Since HOU is a base, makes sense that FLL will be a base as well.
There seems to be some good traction with satellite bases coming online very soon. TPA, BNA, STL, RDU, and MCI are possible choices. I think BNA and TPA would be the top choices for the small satellite bases. Many commuters live in these cities. Small bases yes, but living in these cities would be a plus.
#79
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2013
Posts: 200
It appears to be true that new hires are not showing for new hire class. Numbers I do not have. Why? Probably, the new hires have a choice of airlines. Upgrade is probably the deciding factor on what airline to go to.
For everyone at SWA, live in a domicle, regardless of where it is. If you can hold it, go there. Quality of life goes up big time. Regardless if you are a reserve or line holder.
FLL and HOU will be coming on line in 2015 for international travel. Since HOU is a base, makes sense that FLL will be a base as well.
There seems to be some good traction with satellite bases coming online very soon. TPA, BNA, STL, RDU, and MCI are possible choices. I think BNA and TPA would be the top choices for the small satellite bases. Many commuters live in these cities. Small bases yes, but living in these cities would be a plus.
For everyone at SWA, live in a domicle, regardless of where it is. If you can hold it, go there. Quality of life goes up big time. Regardless if you are a reserve or line holder.
FLL and HOU will be coming on line in 2015 for international travel. Since HOU is a base, makes sense that FLL will be a base as well.
There seems to be some good traction with satellite bases coming online very soon. TPA, BNA, STL, RDU, and MCI are possible choices. I think BNA and TPA would be the top choices for the small satellite bases. Many commuters live in these cities. Small bases yes, but living in these cities would be a plus.
#80
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,374
They have been spitballing about satellite bases for a long time. Basically you will start and end your pairing from there, but there will be no "base" with a pilot lounge, base coordinator, and associated infrastructure. There will just be your typical robust overnight station like we already have at most of those places. The iPads have really made this possible. No more updating your pubs, checking your mailbox, etc.
Of course, there is a lot of friction against this from senior guys that live in base right now. Satellite bases are a virtual seniority hit for those who currently don't commute. I personally don't see it happening for that very reason. If it does, it will be many many years from now.
In the end, what does the company gain from it? That is the real question. They get to fire (repurpose) a few base coordinators and save a few dollars on fuel from commuters non revving around the system? Big deal. Making commuters' lives better gains them nothing that they can give to the shareholders.
Of course, there is a lot of friction against this from senior guys that live in base right now. Satellite bases are a virtual seniority hit for those who currently don't commute. I personally don't see it happening for that very reason. If it does, it will be many many years from now.
In the end, what does the company gain from it? That is the real question. They get to fire (repurpose) a few base coordinators and save a few dollars on fuel from commuters non revving around the system? Big deal. Making commuters' lives better gains them nothing that they can give to the shareholders.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post