Originally Posted by mexipilot84 (Post 2767779)

That’s actually a 2 year old program. However no one has ever gone through it. The problem is the agreement is broken because a 2500TT CFI just has zero experience flying a big jet. Why would someone stay being a CFI for that long when they can go to a regional when they reach ATP or rATP mins. Just doesn’t make sense and doesn’t help the airline keep it stocked with experience.

The only bridge program that’s really active is with the 1step prep people. It’s a preferential interview process if they complete it. They still have to meet our requirements and pass an interview. I don’t really agree with it as it deters is from us selecting our people. Plus why would you pay to get this job if you meet our requirements.

Originally Posted by PICsf340 (Post 2768279)

Any Swift guys have intel on crash pads near the MIA area? Hopefully something that won’t require a car. Thanks

Originally Posted by SoFloFlyer (Post 2768175)

Interesting.. I heard of it, but I never got all the details. Thanks for the head’s up!

Originally Posted by randomroute (Post 2768545)

Miami air is not going anywhere. They've just purchased a plane with split scimitar winglets and refitted a second in MIA the other day. If youre coming to Swift you have to know how to skim the water from the top of the Kool-Aid.



Everyhing in aviation is backed up by a number. So lets look at the numbers. Keep in mind Swift’ growth is limited by captain availability. In the past 2 months theyve hired several street captains (4), upgraded some reformed problem children and ‘senior’ F/O’ (5), and upgraded some individuals initially hired as F/O’s (2)(during training) just because they had B-7x7 on their cert cards.



Thats 11 captains in less than a month’s time.



As of right now there are...

...64 captains

(including the 5 senior F/O upgrades)

...48 first officers

...20 pilots awaiting IOE

(including the 2 Boeing typed F/O’s in training).



That will make the March seniority list eventually read...

...66 captains

...66 first officers.

These numbers do not include checkairman and training instructors who also fly the line.



So realizing the company will have 66 crew-pairs next month, and not conduct any training for upgrades, you can see they will continue to hire street captains so as to not pull F/O’s off the line. That sounds like a good and even number to maintain for an operation that has 27 planes operating at one time.



But what does that mean for new hires? As is obvious, and has been mentioned before, captains are selected at random-not out of seniority, not out of merit, and perhaps from the street. To those giving up a PIC position to come to Swift without actually being offered a “captain” position, you will be a critical component of the right seat operation to plug right seat attrition (internal and external). There is no accurate timeline to plan on upgrade so it is safest to not expect it for at least a year. If the company wants you to be a captain, they will tell you. If not, plan for the next slot based on operational convenience. This is a charter company. Despite having an airline feel, airline logic and rules and pay dont work here. Seniority is useful only for a line to bid/work. Your classmates will be your captains.



At this moment I am certain there will be no more growth as the COO’s email earlier this year stated 10 captain upgrades and 11 have already made the grade. Theres been no announcement of aircraft growth.



First Officer pay cannot supplement the necessity of a crash pad and the maintenance of whatever financial obligations that exist outside of Swift. Keep in mind too, that the only way for a pilot to earn, is to work on days off. Bid lines dont credit over guarantee. The assignments that can earn over guarantee are senior and on the homebased side of the operation. This is why I recommend people stay away and let the pilot package increase. Better to stay away and not develop a disgruntled nature-as so many have.



Apply and work here. Just be prepared for the nonstandard work environment. Ladder climbers and union types will not do well here.



To those of you who PM me, just reference the posts in this thread. Its easier to put the good word out for all than to type the same message out 10-20x.



Swift is a good place to work, and offers an opportunity to fly a 737. As of this writing I havent seen any shady MX practice or abuse of 117 rules.



What say you tiredsoul? Is the upgrade thing what primarily ****ed you off? Its definitely not a fair way of operating, especially to those who have to take an extended paycut.

Originally Posted by randomroute (Post 2768980)

Interesting, well I hate to say it, but that seems like the CP’s typical fare.

From the time of the interview up until Indoc, there will be/have been promises of quick upgrades.... and then that person will go and hire some random person that lacks structured airline training and when they send them to Europe or Miami they land beyond the touchdown zone or tailstrike an aircraft and get to keep their jobs. None of the Swift 119’s come from structured 121 airlines. The incidents in poor pilot performance have been mitigated at most regional airlines. However the pilot group here comes from the last frontier of airline flying-135 cargo and cargo ACMI . Where it takes a regional F/O 4 months to get through Indoc and an intial checkride...it takes a month and a half to do indoc/systems/OE at Swift. Desperation has meant all pilots get a trophy. Anywhere else they’d be on the street.

Its challenging to stay positive. Being negative won’t make the challenges any easier to face. Theres some good people at Swift and if given the chance they could turn the ship around (or at least get it pointed in the right direction).

Originally Posted by Hellafo (Post 2769470)

top notch post! I have flown with captains that would never make a regional captain slot.

Different animal, quite scary actually.....best thing that could happen to Swift right now is to hire more people that comes from a well structured training program aka 121 regionals.

But wait management thinks they are competing with regionals in pay, QOL and benefits...........get your head out of your 1234.

Originally Posted by mexipilot84 (Post 2769655)

Even in the regionals you have that 10% of CA that you wonder how they made it thru. The difference here is we have a mix of everything here, 135, 91, cargo, 121 major and regional. I will say the new guys from the regionals we have got lately have been a great addition to the cadre and do really well here. The rigid standards in the regionals they bring have help us a lot.

Originally Posted by Toby Flenderson (Post 2769695)

I’m not sure where’d you get that 10% number? Care to share sources?

Originally Posted by mexipilot84 (Post 2770881)

5 FOs looks like are done with upgrade. They’re on the CA bid list for March.

Next upgrade class looks like April after March madness mixed in with recurrent training for those due.

Originally Posted by Toby Flenderson (Post 2771035)

When do you think January class guys will possibly upgrade? Given they have the requirements.

Originally Posted by mexipilot84 (Post 2770881)

5 FOs looks like are done with upgrade. They’re on the CA bid list for March.

Next upgrade class looks like April after March madness mixed in with recurrent training for those due.

Originally Posted by MNPS 50N50W (Post 2771667)

But did you also notice that there were 3 Captains names that were there ( MIAMI) in February, are no longer there in March. And rumer has it that another 2 Captains have class dates in March elsewhere. Not to mention that as soon as that other 737 startup in Miami gets going that initial 10 pilots will be Captains coming from Swift.

I am sure that Swift’s management is aware of this. But still refuses to do anything incentively to keep people here.

So we will loose 5 Captains, as we gain 5.

Then we will soon loose 10 Captains. Looks like they got us exactly where they want us. I an scratching my head to see how this works. Totally confused.:confused:

Originally Posted by Toby Flenderson (Post 2771815)

If my sources are accurate, 5 CA's left in February and 5 Fo's. I believe two of those CA's were LCA.

Originally Posted by MNPS 50N50W (Post 2771667)

But did you also notice that there were 3 Captains names that were there ( MIAMI) in February, are no longer there in March. And rumer has it that another 2 Captains have class dates in March elsewhere. Not to mention that as soon as that other 737 startup in Miami gets going that initial 10 pilots will be Captains coming from Swift.



I am sure that Swift’s management is aware of this. But still refuses to do anything incentively to keep people here.



So we will loose 5 Captains, as we gain 5.



Then we will soon loose 10 Captains. Looks like they got us exactly where they want us. I an scratching my head to see how this works. Totally confused.:confused:

Originally Posted by Toby Flenderson (Post 2771977)

Rumor is “Eastern” just Layed of 68 people.

Originally Posted by mexipilot84 (Post 2772093)

Heard it was a rumor coming wouldn’t be surprised. They’re bleeding money left to right.

Originally Posted by Toby Flenderson (Post 2772131)

Just confirmed it. They did lay-off bunch of people. It’s sad. Saw many enthusiastic flight attendants/pilots at PanAm training class. Any chance they’re trying to bring the 767 under Swift certificate? Thought they had massive business bid in China.

Originally Posted by TiredSoul (Post 2772215)

So can you give us a quick rundown of what happened?

Didn’t Swift take over Eastern in their fire sale?

Then Dynamic applied for DOT permission to put 10 76’s on the empty Eastern certificate?

Originally Posted by Toby Flenderson (Post 2771815)

If my sources are accurate, 5 CA's left in February and 5 Fo's. I believe two of those CA's were LCA.

Originally Posted by MNPS 50N50W (Post 2773416)

COPIED FROM OMNI THREAD.....

SOUNDS VERY FAMILIAR, DOES IT NOT.


An HR manager was knocked down (tragically) by a bus and was killed. Her soul arrived at the Pearly Gates, where St.Peter welcomed her. “Before you get settled in” he said, “We have a little problem…you see, we’ve never had a HR manager make it this far before and we’re not really sure what to do with you.”
“Oh, I see,” said the woman, “can’t you just let me in?”
“Well, I’d like to,” said St Peter, “But I have higher orders. We’re instructed to let you have a day in hell and a day in heaven, and then you are to choose where you’d like to go for all eternity.”
“Actually, I think I’d prefer heaven”, said the woman. “Sorry, we have rules…” at which St. Peter put the HR manager into the downward bound elevator.
As the doors opened in Hell she stepped out onto a beautiful golf course. In the distance was a country club; around her were many friends, past fellow executives, all smartly dressed, happy, and cheering for her. They ran up and kissed her on both cheeks, and they talked about old times.
They played a perfect round of golf and afterwards went to the country club where she enjoyed a superb steak and lobster dinner. She met the Devil (who was actually rather nice) and she had a wonderful night telling jokes and dancing.
Before she knew it, it was time to leave. Everyone shook her hand and waved goodbye as she stepped into the elevator. The elevator went back up to heaven where St. Peter was waiting for her. “Now it’s time to spend a day in heaven,” he said.
So she spent the next 24 hours lounging around on clouds, playing the harp and singing; which was almost as enjoyable as her day in Hell. At the day’s end St. Peter returned. “So,” he said, “You’ve spent a day in hell and you’ve spent a day in heaven”. “You must choose between the two.”
The woman thought for a second and replied: “Well, heaven is certainly lovely, but I actually had a better time in hell. I choose Hell.”
Accordingly, St. Peter took her to the elevator again and she went back down to hell. When the doors of the elevator opened she found herself standing in a desolate wasteland covered in garbage and filth. She saw her friends dressed in rags, picking up rubbish and putting it in old sacks. The Devil approached and put his arm around her.
“I don’t understand,” stuttered the HR manager, “The other day I was here, and there was a golf course, and a country club. We ate lobster, and we danced and had a wonderful happy time. Now all there is, is just dirty wasteland of garbage and all my friends look miserable.”
The Devil simply looked at her and smiled, “Yesterday we were recruiting you, today you’re staff.”

Originally Posted by randomroute (Post 2774876)

Not worth the salmon or the filet mignon [emoji1742]*[emoji3603]

Originally Posted by Hellafo (Post 2777050)

Latest rumor, fresh off the oven. European operation is launching in 6 weeks, and noone knows anything.

Rumor is management wants to present the pilot group with a proposal that is extremely consessionary compared to what was offered last year.

People will rather stay in the US and pick up overtime that go over there. If they try to Junior man people, I'd expect some attrition...

Originally Posted by randomroute (Post 2777144)

The big problem with Swift is that there are no hard-ass pilots. Dont get me wrong, we have alot of guys that like to ralk about their experience and time in the MD-11 and flying cargo for XYZ Air, and their disgruntled nature. We got plenty of guys that are tough in the cockpit and impromptu union meetings, however theres no follow through. Matter of fact, all that hot air dissipates rather quickly when the words “expect visual approach RWY...” come over the wave.



I digress....BUT....If you want to goto Europe, make some demands. Have the group come together and tell the company what you want. How long does this pilot group have to endure subpar pay, crappy work rules that go unenforced, sharty QOL, and bogus schedule changes? The time for speculation is over. Time is money, some of you forgot that. The leftover catering, stories of $2000 a day, and calling for hotel room and transportation after youve arrived should be over now. Theres no reason the TDY cadre hasnt gotten together on social media and come up with a collective packge of monetary and logistical solutions for this upcoming charter.



This is why I cant recommend most people I know to come here. Because as of this writing there are major shortcomings that prevent Swift from being a practical career move outisde of flying a group II turbojet.

Originally Posted by randomroute (Post 2777144)

The big problem with Swift is that there are no hard-ass pilots. Dont get me wrong, we have alot of guys that like to ralk about their experience and time in the MD-11 and flying cargo for XYZ Air, and their disgruntled nature. We got plenty of guys that are tough in the cockpit and impromptu union meetings, however theres no follow through. Matter of fact, all that hot air dissipates rather quickly when the words “expect visual approach RWY...” come over the wave.

I digress....BUT....If you want to goto Europe, make some demands. Have the group come together and tell the company what you want. How long does this pilot group have to endure subpar pay, crappy work rules that go unenforced, sharty QOL, and bogus schedule changes? The time for speculation is over. Time is money, some of you forgot that. The leftover catering, stories of $2000 a day, and calling for hotel room and transportation after youve arrived should be over now. Theres no reason the TDY cadre hasnt gotten together on social media and come up with a collective packge of monetary and logistical solutions for this upcoming charter.

This is why I cant recommend most people I know to come here. Because as of this writing there are major shortcomings that prevent Swift from being a practical career move outisde of flying a group II turbojet.

Originally Posted by randomroute (Post 2778552)

Because the crews havent sent a list of reasonable request/proposal to management. Talking amongst each other isnt going to effect change.

Lets be honest, its been a year almost and besides all the horror stories (there have been many positives as well) no pilots have stepped up as a group to present solution.

The company hasnt provided any solid information other than the fact that there will be European flying. When are those of you who want to go-going to step up?

The extreme IRONY is that you will fight and quietly be intalks about a TDY to Europe but stateside the status quo porridge is “juuuuuuuuuuuust right”. Wheres the sat phones stateside? Wheres the high rate international per diem stateside? Where the 120 hour guarantee stateside? Where the 4-figure bonus stateside? THE SAME EXACT TYPE OF FLYING IS BEING DONE. WHY DOES EUROPEAN FLYING HAVE TO BE THE ‘BEES KNEES’ OF QOL AND COMPENSATION WHEN YOU HAVE BEEN FLYING THE SAME PLANE HERE IN THE STATES DOING THE SAME OPERATION?

There is no union coming to Swift, Swift doesnt need a union. It just needs pilots that can come up with an enforecable work rule and compensation package. Theres no reason you shouldnt be getting paid what you did in Europe for 4-5 months, what you havent been for the rest of the year.

Also, as far as the impending raises. I dont want one guy negotiating pay behind closed doors.

Originally Posted by Triggs (Post 2778943)

How do you propose this without what you said we don't need in above comment?







Actually, I had a conversation with the DO about this a bunch of weeks ago. Told him he wasn't going to get many volunteers for what he was proposing. The flying over in CZ was a lot of fun, but it is a big sacrifice to go over there for 3-5 months, missing out on many things. there has to be compensation for that.

Originally Posted by mexipilot84 (Post 2779168)

I think that’s why they want to make it an 18 day rotation and eliminate the bonus.