I personally have not heard anything from the PD recently. So I would assume the status quo is the status quo. Which translates to "No official planned hiring for this year, 2010, but that could change at a moments notice."

Personally, I do not know if they have called anybody back to Dallas to update their resume, so to speak. It is possible I suppose, but I personally don't know anybody in the pool that this has happened to . . . . . yet. Of if it will ever happen.

For any SWA pilots following this thread, any new "rumors" or news on DEN possibly opening up as a base this spring/summer/fall/next year/never? (Did I cover all the possibilities )

 

Jd, guys / gals,

We feel for you, continue your treading. This place is great, we have our issues, but everybody does.

Our March lines look like normal (little under historic averages), lemme get some data to back this up. Give me a bit, maybe later today, I have a school commitment in an hour. Kindergartners are nutz!

quick update: March data 93 tfp / 18 days off is the average March line systemwide. I'll get historic averages later.

Anyhow, regarding DEN, 160+ / day by August, Speaking with a check airman last week, SWA is estimating 200 flights / day by years end. Take that for what it's worth, just a senior guy with a rumor.

Aircraft deliveries:
2010:
1 in Mar, Nov, May - Aug; 2 in Apr, & Sep. 10 total. No other options.
2011:
10 guaranteed / 10 options
Gary says he has the option of retiring some aircraft = no fleet growth; retire no aircraft = 10 aircraft growth; go to the "second hand market" if the numbers show we need to grow.

Gotta go.
-K

 

Great information! Thank you very much for taking the time to post this much detail.

Speaking for all of us in the pool, if I may presume to do so, we all really appreciate it!!

Good luck with those kindergartners!

-JDFLyer

 

Kdog,

Thanks for the info. That is about what I have heard from my buds there. I have not been called to Dallas for anything and I would assume that I have to be one of the longest swimmers.

MDog

 

I'm not a poolie and have no dog in this fight...at least not yet. For what it's worth a buddy of mine in my unit who is with SWA was told to expect things to pick up this spring/summer. They told him they would need him back flying for SWA vice flying in the reserves and dropping trips.

 

I hope he is right,

BTW, I am not in the reserves but can they do that?

 

They can only ask.

 

SWA has asked the mil guys to do extra military flying in order to help with our overmanning. By telling him that he will be needed this summer they are asking him not to do any more military flying than he is required. It is a way to give him and his unit a heads up that his availability may change. Now if his unit requires him, or even if he volunteers, there is nothing SWA can do about it.

 

Hang in there guys. I was in the pool for 14 months during 2007-8. At the time they were talking about no hiring in '08, but ended up running 16 classes in '08. I know we are in tough economic times but our numbers have been steadily trending upwards. When Gary says no growth for '10 it may be true at this moment but who knows what tomorrow may bring. You will get here eventually and for me at least, it was worth the wait. Good luck and I anxiously await you below me on the seniority list.

 

I tried the search function but could not find anything, does anybody know or remember what the typical class size was for new hires at SWA when they last ran classes?