RJSAviator76

Sorry bud, you didn't post any criticism, let alone anything constructive. You posted a bunch of sarcastic hot air and whining nonsense. SlipKid at least adds historical perspective... and though I agree with him with on many things, I disagree that we are the same group that would simply follow the ways of the old SWApA, and namely because of the numbers hired here and the numbers forecast to be hired.

Our current contract was a pretty good gain even though it fell short of the Platform and agreed it grossly fell short of LTD (one of my chief reasons for voting no), but that wasn't the mandate. It was to fix the reserve, get a B-plan, get a pay raise. In that, we largely succeeded. Whether we could have gotten more or not is debatable. I believe we could have, but it's water under the bridge now. Time to let it go and look forward to 2020, talk about it in the cockpit, nag the guy you're flying with to take NC polls. Hell, I asked the guy I flew with to bring his iPad downstairs so we'd take the poll over beers and that's what we did. The key is engaging others, not throw sarcastic BS at them.

So educate us. Convince us. Tell us how it's done. Get specific. That's what I've been asking all you SAIEW chuckleheads... you don't have to convince me as I'm already on your side, but peanut gallery comments like DBMIVN or SAIEW are doing exactly squat if they aren't at least accompanied by explanations, valid comparisons and/or realistic ideas and healthy discussions.

SlipKid points out that the old SWApA erased all the stuff from forums back in the day so new guys can't access the info. That's why it makes it all the more important to educate the up and coming pilots as we are a good chunk of the voting bloc, and unlike at other airlines, our probationary pilots get to vote... yet another reason why SAIEW and DBMIVN comments only hurt the cause if you don't start going into specifics, details, comparisons, and suggestions. JL gets it. I wish the rest of you did.

e6bpilot

That’s the Prune way. Demure, insult, *****, but don’t actually have a suggestion that is going to fix anything in the real world. The power that we wield as a labor union still has to fit in the sad framework of the RLA and what happens in real life negotiations. Do you think the president and NC we have now are leaving anything on the table? Do you think they have ulterior motives or are collaborators? Serious questions, because that is what old SWAPA was all about. Take a look at who we are negotiating against in the next round. An old SWAPA President. You can’t make that stuff up.
My point was, this ain’t old SWAPA and this ain’t the same pilot group. We have a better educated and more engaged group than ever before, largely due to the Internet and the crazy amount of hiring that has happened here in the last three years. Now it is up to us to fight that battle and climb that hill. It isn’t going to be done by *****ing and whining though, and a little bit of trust in both our current union and or current pilot group is going to be necessary. A little positivity goes a long way towards engaging those on the fringes and not alienating them. There is being a good union pilot and there is being a bitter, angry a hole. The current wanking over flag ties is a perfect example. I personally will never wear that thing due to the bad taste it left in negotiations, but it doesn’t stop me from engaging others who wear it and maybe giving them the benefit of the doubt. You will be surprised what some of them have to say.
Go over to the Prune and read. Other than JL, there are maybe 5 guys with a grip on reality there. The rest are keyboard warriors and full of hot air with zero constructive thoughts.
History is important, and I hope we never repeat the ways of the traitors and collaborators of our old union. Going forward, though, this young and energized group is in a good position to accomplish great things. See you on the front lines.

SlipKid

Such irony. You've perfectly described the SWApA forum, only the folks doing that are typically those defending the concession du jour. There is a lot of chaff over on the PPrune, but a lot of good has come from it over the years.

The entire reason that the SW section of the PPrune exists is because of SWApA. During the 2000 BOD elections, JK and a few of the other old SWApA guys didn't like the free exchange of info offered by the then, relatively new electronic "union hall", so they shut down the SWApA forum for the duration. One of our Capts. got the PPrune forum up and running, and it's been the bane to the BOD's existence ever since. It's tough to control the message when you can't control the medium.

That said, I haven't been on the pPrune in a while. I need to check it out. I'm guessing that Beaner is still complaining about flag ties?


For the first time since I've been here, I have full confidence in most of our union guys.

SAIEW . Do some research on Sparky. He was our former SWApA "negotiator" and was on the company side of the table for the '06 "negotiations". He, BC and CK collaborated and brought us the wonderful '06 TA1 that, after a sales job that would make a used car salesman blush, was narrowly voted down. For some reason, a few months later, we ratified an equally bad TA2 in '09. You can't make that stuff up.

I sincerely hope you're right, but I am not gonna hold my breath. 38% of our group voted for the last TA1.


Agreed.


Yeah, the flag tie thing is stupid, but I get it. Pilots need shiny things to keep their attention, and the flag tie is quite shiny.


As much can be said for the SWApA forum, or even here. Lots of cringeworthy posts on both.

If you're so inclined, go back and do a search on PPRune about any of the many issues we've voted on and given away over the years. Lots of good insight when you sift through the troll posts.

e6bpilot

Thanks for your answer and your insight. I will go over there and check it out. For the record, I think Beaner is one of the few that contribute logical, realistic information over there.
Don’t even get me started on the swapa forum. Fortunately, the free exchange of information cannot be controlled, despite the new forum software/attempted purge of the last administration. With the FB forum, twitter, and other forums, that ship has sailed. The Toms and other “sit down and let me tell you why we accept less” old men who are happy to pull up the ladder and spout their nonsense and revisionist history after supporting TA1 and the previous administration are regularly shouted down. I truly believe they are company collaborators who will end up in company positions post SWAPA.
I think we are on the cusp of great things. That has nothing to do with bigger airplanes, new destinations, or any of the other carrots that get dangled by the company rumor mill. I am talking about what we can accomplish with this pilot group and this union leadership in 2020. I think the struggle will be long and difficult, but the potential outcome will be worth it (I hope).

SlipKid

Agreed.

Hopefully, next time around in 2026, the masses will actually READ past the pay rates and almost full retro before casting their votes.


Oh, and those of you dismissing PPRuNe, our current BOD is a veritable "who's who" of PPRuNe "Errant Knights" (the name the Koolies gave what you new guys refer to as the SAIEW crowd).

Beaner is definitely one of the good ones over there....

holygrail

Changing things a bit.....

Haven’t posted on this website in years and new to this thread.

I’m a corporate guy who spent a total of 14 years at 2 different airlines prior to accepting my corporate job. It’s been a good deal for me but I’m thinking of jumping back into the airlines gig as pay/ benefits/ qol seems to be far better than when I left. I’m thinking SWA would be my first choice as it seems like a great place to work where everyone gets along and is treated with some respect. I actually interviewed there a few years back and got a 737 type at Higher Power Aviation. Unfortunately, I was not hired that time. So I’m curious if my observations of SWA are actually true.

Are most employees happy there?
What is the junior base?
How long would it take for a new hire to bid/hold Denver?
Would it be possible for a 49 year old to ever upgrade?
Could I reasonably bid for partial weekends or some holidays off?

Could someone please explain the pay “sliders” on APC airline profiles.

How much per year could I reasonably expect to make each year (on average) until I top out as an FO?

Any info helps!

Thanks in advance.

Peacock

I think most people are happy. This website is mostly for *****ing and malcontents.

The junior base is Oakland but any base but Atlanta is available within 3-4 months out of training.

3-4 months for Denver. Would have been 4 for me.

A conservative upgrade time would be 10-12 years. It will likely be less if growth continues.

I’m near the end of year one and I can get partial weekends off with blank line or most off with reserve since I live in base.

The sliders calculate monthly pay based on hours credited and pay rate. Doesn’t work exactly for SWA.

The yearly pay totals are highly dependent on whether you live in base and whether you choose to only fly you line or spend time trading for better trips or pick up extra on your days off.

RJSAviator76

Upgrade, by default, is going to drop substantially as the hiring goes on. We didn't hire anyone in 2009-2010... a pretty small number in 2011-15, and started going gangbusters in 2016 on.

10-12 years upgrade time will only be if that's your preference, and for many it is... that is barring something like another 9/11...

Peacock

I meant that as a conservative/near worst case timeline. Meaning zero or negative growth

at6d

Former corporate and previous 121 guy here.

Halfway through my third year. Solid lineholder bidding nearly 50% in domicile. I don’t fly extra and drive over an hour to work—I routinely have weekends off, this month with 17 days off (three on/four off). I project about $155K before per diem for the year, not including any extras.

I’m also a Regular Plan user, so no health care premiums.

I have never been abused by scheduling (a few operational clusterf&*%s here and there), and for the most part enjoy not being on call, not servicing the lav, not working the phones, not stocking the galley, not working contracts, etc.

Good gig with good people. Except for the F-15 guys. Y’all are a little wound up! LOL just kidding a little.