Originally Posted by
SWAjet
Southwest wants greater pilot productivity as well as new work rules that might let it generate more revenue. The 5,000 pilots, the industry's best paid, want raises and job protection in case Southwest seeks to broaden its ties with other carriers.
As usual, you will see rhetoric on both sides. But the productivity thing is a strange request.
For the company, productivity = more days of work. That has been stated before. The union knows it and says it can't and shouldn't be done. To be honest, timing out every month ought to be good enough for the company. The company has been good at making efficient schedules that allow it for minimal days at work. They even pay well for highly efficient schedules. They understand there is no way to get more efficient or fly more per month. I think the company just wants to head off requests for higher pay. I know the pilot group does not want to work more days per month.
The pilots are already flying over 7 hours a day and flying almost 30 hours on four day trips. Some end up flying 24 hours in 3 days. The only way to "increase" productivity is to mess with vacation, DECREASE efficiency of flying (flying hours per day), or reduce rig/de-rig open time/reserve.
The pilots want cost of living raises (some want more), benefits until 65 and other enhancements. Scope is big too. Most of the smart pilots, even those hard over about increasing pay dramatically a few years ago, say little to no raise is the best plan.
I wonder what will really happen.