Hey Boogie, congrats on AirTran. Now keep trying to go elsewhere. I'm a 73 Capt at AirTran now and ready to get out. Labor relations are about as poor as you will find. Despite nearly 2 years of negotiations, our working conditions continue to deteriorate. Mgmt continues to look for new ways to interpret the current CBA. Other than that, you've got a fresh third qtr loss, slower 737 deliveries with the mention of further reductions possible, and no real growth plan.

We have lost over 50 pilots this year and will continue to see this trend. Many are FOs but some are Capts and even checkairmen recently.

 

Thanks, I am new to this. That said, I am happy to have a job. The growth plan does concern me a bit. I have a friend who lost his job at Independence when they had no plan for managing growth. I will see how see how this pans out. Still you have to admit it is good to be the king rather than 8 years in the right seat, like at Alaska.

 

Mike,

You are absolutely correct about how things change. In 1990 I wouldn't have touched CAL with a ten foot pole. Now they seem more palatable with the change in their pilot demographics. That is as long as they make improvements to their current contract.

We do work hard at SWA. I recently finished a 4 day with 20 legs. With our turn times the duty days are not so bad and because of our current pay rate it was worth it. Most of our flying mixes in some longer legs so there are not too many of those 4 days (there are some though with even more legs). Can you say, it is all about seniority? Again, it must be the water because I still enjoy coming to work.

As far as your comment about our high water mark, we will see. I haven't seen too many pilot's predictions come true. The only thing keeping us down is our bankruptcy courts.

 

No thanks. I do 2 legs in 3 days. Up to 4 legs per week!

 

My comment about the high water mark is probably not correct. SW has a lot of growth ahead. What I really meant is that the rest of the industry is much more lean and better positioned to compete. I don't thinks SW will see the same rapid growth or be unchallenged like they have been in the past. SW is an awesome machine but it is starting to get mature. There will be a down turn someday although that day may be 30 years away.

 

What demographics?

 

Hotmamapilot,

While I generally try to stay out of these types of discussions I did bring it up, so here is my best politically correct explanation of "pilot demograhics."

In the mid 80's we had reserve pilots in my squadron and at the last minute I would have my schedule changed to "fill" in on a flight. As a junior officer I was used to be being messed with but this became a regular occurrence so I asked why. It seems they had a strike at CAL and we had CAL strike breakers, strikers, and some that were seemingly in between. For some reason they didn't want to fly with each other and I as well as other JO's were called in to pinch hit. As you can imagine in played havoc on the poor schedulers, adding another factor to their job.

In some ways I didn't understand it totally but I knew when I got out of the military I did not want to be anywhere near that type of work environment. As retirements have occured at CAL it is my understanding that the work environment/demographics has/have "improved."

I apologize for the "wordy" explanation I just don't want to use derogatory names. SWA has all of the above described persons on property (with lists also) but until we have someone cross a picket line I will stay out of the fray.

 

Mike,

I really didn't take offense about your comment. We just happen to be doing all right for now (except for our stock). I know how often I have been wrong when I make a prediction concerning the airline industry. An example would be about 1 for 25 with regards to the next city SWA has opened and that one was almost a gimme.

 

Otto,

Did I mention I was jealous with regards to your international RON's. I guess I will have to use my vacation time to visit those places with my family for right now.

 

My best friend go turned down a year ago. It sucks but he's going to re-apply. A lot of my friends took 2 and 3 times to get hired. I hear that our pool is empty and they are interviewing pilots that do not have types. I don't know what the secret is but keep trying. We need good experienced pilots!