Is buying the 73 type still working for people? I feel like I gotta be close to getting the call, maybe that puts me over the hump.

I think that was true maybe 12-18 months ago, but multiple reports of the hiring dept telling folks now to not get one. Does that mean it doesn’t add to your score? No one can say.

Rocky told us at the job fair thingy that they prefer people who do NOT have the type already as then "they don't have to retrain them to fly the right way"

13 of 26 in my class have it. I think 4 in 26 is a more typical number, but I’d say it can’t hurt if you can afford it.

Of those 13 how many have just the type but no time other then the course?

Thanks

4 have flown the NG, and one guy flew the classic, which doesn’t give him too much of an edge so far, as it’s a whole different beast.

Are those for expansion or replacement?

Yes.

Likely a mix of both but initially mostly growth. Expanding the fleet in 2018 by 40+ tails back up to our pre-classic retirement numbers. Some of our -700s are getting pretty old and their retirements are not too far off. I'm not aware of specific replacement numbers tho.

I had a company guy on the Jumpseat and he spoke about the older 700s getting the axe. At some point dispatch reliability and maintenance hits a break even and it is better to get a replacement aircraft. He said that we are primarily getting gently used 700s from foreign operators for that purpose since they are generally cheap and have lower cycles.
Next time you have a 700 with something not quite SWA about it (puttied over wiper switch, three position strobe switch) google it’s registration history. It’s usually pretty interesting.
I think those Maxes are mostly growth airframes, but that remains to be seen with public filings and fleet numbers.
After having training recently and seeing that new training center, I can’t help but wonder what the heck is going on around here. That place is very un-SWA.

Cool, thanks.