I'm a line guy and was asked to be a project pilot, basically someone who works in DAL on office stuff. Once I was told the particulars I politely declined. I would have had to commute and the days worked for pay was no where worth it for me.
maybe if I lived in DAL and didnt mind working more days I'd think about it. If the instructor position is similar there is no way I'd commute to it. I'd only consider it if I lived there and had no way to continue flying or was retired and wanted to get out of the house.

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^^^^^^ God, let’s hope so. THE single best leverage we could have for a much improved contract.

I’ve been keeping an eye on our list for the past few weeks and we are losing one pilot to attrition for every retirement. Those numbers will undoubtedly go up as the new hire classes populate the list and some leave for other carriers.

Good stuff. Keep us posted.

In the last 4 weeks, 13 pilots left, less than half retirements.

Since 1 Jan, 5 pilots left, only 1 retirement.

When you say left are you counting deaths or just going to other airlines?
We have had 3 pilot deaths since Dec 23.

I’m just counting pilots not on our list. I have no way of knowing where pilots are going other than the fact they aren’t on the list anymore. I was aware of only 1 death in December, that’s a bummer though about the others.

As I former SWA FCTI, I can tell you morale in Lead Ops building ain't all that great. Leadership not so good either. Many are leaving, and I'm not just talking about to the line. Also, understand that training leadership is different than flight ops training and standards leadership.

Mgt. talks the talk, "thank you for all you do," but no contract, only short term "fixes." Much has been offered and suggested, but the company doesn't really care all that much. They think they can ride this pilot hiring push out.

It's an OK job if you don't have a medical or are over 65, or have to commute. Benefits are pretty good. FAs make more money, working the same days.

However, pay is no where near commiserate with what the company is willing to pay check-airman and FOs to come to the training center to the job that FCTIs do. CKAs are paid at least 5X what AQP-Vs are to do MOs. Both have check-airman letters and went through the same (excellent) training to get said letters. Line pilots are limited on what they can teach or events they can administer in the training center. Some line pilots were former FCTIs and came back to teach some. It works well for them!

Unfortunately, too many companies, of all kinds, do NOT respect the instructors they hire. SWA is one of them.

HT


That really hurts to hear. The instructors in the training center have always been top notch and awesome to be around. I guess this place likes to waste the money on deck parties and paying dispatch way to much . Both are subpar and a waste of money.