that’s true. And that’s why a few posts back I said that I have no clue what the plan is for MCO, and that “barring any major changes”.

I’ve heard every rumor you can think of. And I’ve also heard Kirby say that the base isnt going to expand because it’s already a saturated market.

so who even knows (other than the higher ups).

 

SWA has said the same thing. Blah blah leisure market too much capacity. Then they add 20 pilots a seat randomly a few times a year. I wouldn't be surprised if United did the same thing or added new equipment.

 

Rumor I heard from someone who had a face to face with Watterson was that they wanted to grow TPA, but TPA airport authority wouldn't commit to long term gate leases, etc. MCO would....that's also when we started growing MCO again. We shrunk a bit in FLL and moved flying to MCO...no idea if that was cost or not wanting to be all spread out.

 

This helps facilitate the merger with Alaska. Not much overlap these days. If only SWAPA would ease up on that pesky scope language so they can still operate Horizon separately. 😵‍💫

 

Oh man. Alaska?! Now there’s one out of left field. To counter your assertion….why would we be starting service to ANC then?

 

Similar situation but did not want to make a new thread since there are lots of good points in this one (albeit MCO catered). Have about 25 years left in my career. I live in California, but I’ve been commuting to the East Coast since I’ve been with Southwest. I figure by the time I get my UAL class date I will have two years of seniority at Southwest. Which is basically no seniority. Do I gamble with life getting better with redeye reserve and future hiring or a SAN base? I’m nowhere near holding LAX or OAK. I personally don’t have a passion to fly wide bodies so that’s not a decision maker for me. I really do appreciate the flexibility of Southwest schedules and it sounds hard to give up. But commuting transcontinental has been rough and I don’t know what to believe these days with SWA and the future. And the displacements. Any advice? Maybe this is my midlife crisis now that I’m 40 - haha.

 

I’m only 3 years in and on the west coast since day one with good seniority. Once all the Denver guys get back and the hiring starts I think you’ll be in good order for either LAS LAX or OAK.

What’s confirmed is 350 new hires in Q1 of 26 and 158 in this quarter now.

TLDR: you’re closer than you think.

 

Thanks. The optimist in me feels that way. But I’m terrified they’ll announce STL/MCI as the new domicile…I think I would be hosed if that happens. Heck, I personally don’t think AUS would help either. Maybe.

 

I'm putting a lot on the betting table for AUS to be the new base, that's just my hunch.

 

I don't think AUS helps guys out west much, if any. It'll help out guys in TX get DAL/HOU and there'll be movement from west coast guys displaced east to BNA, MDW, HOU, AUS, DAL. There'll be some movement out west, because there always is with a big bid....I just don't think it'll help out as much as a MCI or STL base would. There's several MCI/OMA/STL commuters in DEN/LAS/MDW who'll bid out to drive to work. That'll free up spots in those bases and create movement for displaced guys to get back to DEN/LAS. SAN would help guys in PHX, LAX, OAK get back but I think the company would be pretty stupid to open another CA base...to an airport with 1 runway. What we really need is DEN to get back to the size it was....they keep shrinking it which f'd up everything.