I think the bottom of any seniority list is going to suck..although some more than others. I have spent more than 3/4 of the last yr on reserve and it sucks to be completely honest. But obviously if you live where you are based it makes a huge difference. I don't think it gets much worse than commuting cross country on reserve. Also if you live at one of the junior bases out west OAK, LAS even PHX you will be off reserve much quicker. If you are an east coast guy its going to be a while just to get out here let alone hold a line. It took me almost a yr to get MCO and I'm barely hanging on to the bottom...BWI and I think MDW are both senior to MCO. Reserves here are used though. very rarely will I not be flying every day of RSV. which for me is a good thing. But all of the crappy things about being on reserve are alive and well here...maybe even worse than some other places. The people I work with and the way I'm treated are all good and it helps take the sting out of the crummy aspects of the bottom. I'm not much of a koolaide drinker but there is no other place i would rather be in the current environment. That being said, if I was at DAL or CAL for a year or more I probably would not jump ship...The whole grass is not always greener thing... I don't know if I answered any of your questions or not but if there is anything else you want to know let me know...I will be happy to tell you how it is from my perspective... good and bad

 

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Two classes in Sept. and that will be it for a while .... like about six months.

 

Looks like MDW is losing 44 flights and will take the biggest hit.

 

More importantly, what about more upgrade classes?

 

Is this based on something you have heard or just a guess, I recently find myself near the front of the new pool and just wondering when I might at least start thinking about a class date.

 

From our union president dated 8/28/08:


"....In response to that request the Company has decided that we will have no classes beyond September unless demands dictate otherwise. There are two classes in September that will go ahead and run as planned. Those classes are to cover additional vacations through the holidays."

S.B.

 

If you are in a long time pool, what can you do and/or what do they expect you to do? For example, can you find another non aviation related job while you wait? If so, do they expect you to keep your currency up? In that case, what is a reasonable amount of hours? Could you interview and and work for another airline (not that there are many left, if any to choose from)?

 

HD, If you're in that situation just call your contact in the PD and they will be happy to answer all those questions. Best of luck in the future and hope to see you around SWA soon!

 

Had a guy at the squadron go to the pool since last year. He just classed with SWA two months ago and was a teacher until he started. No flying for him. It is a gamble if the pool didn't work out or it took longer than expected but he didn't want to go anywhere else.

Hope this helps.