SWA classes in April?
 

Last I heard, there would be no classes in March, and either 2 or 3 classes in April. I suspect those April classes would be mostly the over 60 crowd coming back to work. Any poolies hearing anything or getting calls for classes?

The airline profiles page on APC for Southwest says 300 poolies will get called for a class this year. Anyone else think this is overly optimistic?

Bernie

One quick correction, there are about 374 poolies...

The union page says 180 due to growth, changes to the current schedule and changes to maintenance which makes a few more planes available for the schedule, which I think is overly optomistic.

As of 9 days ago -- the last time I talked to PD, they were planning on 3 classes in Apr, then one in Aug, Sep, and Oct. They didn't have any info after that. I'm hearing 40-45 (depending on who you ask) 60+ guys have come back to interview. Worst case, the 60+ crowd will suck up the Apr classes. Best case, poolies may get the last class (assuming they do go 20-24 per class).

I'm not holding my breath.

The 28 Feb Poolie Luv letter said there will be April classes filled mostly by retreads and then no classes until early fall. "We anticipate hiring between 150-200 pilots in 2008."

Minus the returning pilots (~40 or so), SWA will only drain 110-160 pilots form the pool. This includes the couple of classes that have already started.

Dont forget the disclaimer they included, plans are subject to change.

question
 

If and when the over 60 crowd comes back, do they get to go to the bottom of the list?

Just curious...
Los1

Yep. After a re-interview.

DB,

Are you sure the number is that high?

Also--any predictions on how many of your Delta bros who have an option at SWA will go? Its a great company...but 2-3 years of seniority at mother Delta would be hard to give up. It will be interesting to see what the vector for each company looks like in 1-2 years....

If you mean senority list yes, poolie list no. The retreads come back at 1st year pay on the bottom, with this one time shot to interview. My guess is half may stay. Some will medical out and laugh all the way to the bank. Some may give it a couple of years.

Update
 

I had a PD CA jumpseat with me to DAL last week; he said that April is planned for one class of 24 retirees. However; his opinion was that it could go as low as 14 since "more than a few" were not fully committed to returning for 1st year FO pay. He also said that he is hopeful that new interviews will begin "next winter." Also mentioned was that the interview format will change.....no more "tell me about a time......,." The LOI will remain.

I'm curious where his info is coming from. As of last week, I was still being t old 3 classes from PD.

Albie,

The "opps" email that we got before X-mas had 374 email address on it, so I assume that is the number of poolies. I forgot to take out the number of folks that have started class between Jan and now. I am not aware of how many folks are at mother D with the SWA option, but it would be hard to give up the 2 yr seniority to start all over again. Then again, there are other choices...

DT

Mother D to UPS option?
 

Would ya go? Say after 2 years?

DB, How are your free breakfasts going?

From what I understood, just one class of former retirees in APR, not to mean that is the only class in APR.

Guys--all good info. Thanks!

The poolies up for an April class should be getting calls soon.

Last free breakfast was Feb 16th, next one will be Mar 14th. gotta love it...

I don't know too many people that wouldn't jump from DAL to UPS, myself included, based on what is known today. Whether it is today or two years from now, but as always, your milage may vary.