2014 SWA life on reserve.
11-02-2014, 01:07 PM
#81
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2010
Position: DOWNGRADE COMPLETE: Thanks Gary. Thanks SWAPA.
Posts: 6,615
Originally Posted by e6bpilot
They have been spitballing about satellite bases for a long time. Basically you will start and end your pairing from there, but there will be no "base" with a pilot lounge, base coordinator, and associated infrastructure. There will just be your typical robust overnight station like we already have at most of those places. The iPads have really made this possible. No more updating your pubs, checking your mailbox, etc.
Of course, there is a lot of friction against this from senior guys that live in base right now. Satellite bases are a virtual seniority hit for those who currently don't commute. I personally don't see it happening for that very reason. If it does, it will be many many years from now.
In the end, what does the company gain from it? That is the real question. They get to fire (repurpose) a few base coordinators and save a few dollars on fuel from commuters non revving around the system? Big deal. Making commuters' lives better gains them nothing that they can give to the shareholders.
Of course, there is a lot of friction against this from senior guys that live in base right now. Satellite bases are a virtual seniority hit for those who currently don't commute. I personally don't see it happening for that very reason. If it does, it will be many many years from now.
In the end, what does the company gain from it? That is the real question. They get to fire (repurpose) a few base coordinators and save a few dollars on fuel from commuters non revving around the system? Big deal. Making commuters' lives better gains them nothing that they can give to the shareholders.
11-02-2014, 02:16 PM
#82
Line Holder
Joined APC: Aug 2013
Position: B737 Right
Posts: 80
Originally Posted by WHACKMASTER
You're forgetting about hotel costs.
Correct. That and the decreasing availability of hotel rooms. That's why we have 3 and 4 hotels in some cities.
Satellite bases will happen due to cost savings. No other reason. Senior guys will just have to suck it up.
11-02-2014, 02:37 PM
#83
Furloughed Again?!
Joined APC: Aug 2007
Position: Boeing 737
Posts: 4,796
Moving into base just isn't a reality for many of us in our 40s with families. Thankfully SWA has one of the best commuter clauses in the business and the most days off per month for a junior reserve of any other airline.
11-02-2014, 04:34 PM
#84
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2007
Posts: 127
Whack - you and I will agree. Hotel costs are huge with SWA.
E6bpilot - we will disagree, way off the mark here.....senior guys are not an issue with satellite bases. They will actually open up other main bases for seniority. No firings of crew base coordinators. AND satellite bases will be here sooner than you think. Yes, they have been the talk for many, many years. The ipad has open that game wide open for that.
For example, BNA is a great place to live. Many commuters live here for the easy one leg commute to MDW, BWI, MCO, HOU, DAL, and even DEN and LAS. You make a satellite base here and it opens up all these other bases for many reasons.
E6bpilot - we will disagree, way off the mark here.....senior guys are not an issue with satellite bases. They will actually open up other main bases for seniority. No firings of crew base coordinators. AND satellite bases will be here sooner than you think. Yes, they have been the talk for many, many years. The ipad has open that game wide open for that.
For example, BNA is a great place to live. Many commuters live here for the easy one leg commute to MDW, BWI, MCO, HOU, DAL, and even DEN and LAS. You make a satellite base here and it opens up all these other bases for many reasons.
11-02-2014, 06:16 PM
#86
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2011
Posts: 374
Originally Posted by OrionTanker
E6bpilot - we will disagree, way off the mark here.....senior guys are not an issue with satellite bases.
You make a satellite base here and it opens up all these other bases for many reasons.
Let's saw SWA opens up a new base in a city not currently in the network (100% growth). All the pairings for this new flying would have to originate in established base if it were not for the new base opening. Senior guys who live in the old base can't bid these pairings so they are missing out.
Now let's say SWA opens a BNA crew base based on the current flying there (0% growth). The pairings going through there now are currently flown by crews from other SWA bases. In a zero growth scenario, the company will transfer the pairings from other bases to support the new BNA pairings, giving senior guys in the old crew bases less options.
Any new base is either an opportunity cost or a dilution of flying for the other bases. New crew bases don't "open up" the other bases if those old bases lose pairings and as a result, crew members.
Please explain your logic.
11-03-2014, 03:13 AM
#88
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2007
Posts: 127
e6bpilot - so senior guys from other bases are missing out. That is there choice to live where they want to. If they do not move to a "new" base, their choice. That is what seniority brings.
Also in a no growth environment there would not be much movement, but there is some. Either from guys not wanting to move to the "new base", or how the "new" base shakes out.
I am going with an educated guess that BNA for example will go senior. Opening up slots for junior guys in the other bases.
Opening up a physical base costs money, satellite base not so much. I heard that renting out the office space in MDW airport costs $2 million a year.
Also in a no growth environment there would not be much movement, but there is some. Either from guys not wanting to move to the "new base", or how the "new" base shakes out.
I am going with an educated guess that BNA for example will go senior. Opening up slots for junior guys in the other bases.
Opening up a physical base costs money, satellite base not so much. I heard that renting out the office space in MDW airport costs $2 million a year.
11-03-2014, 04:17 AM
#89
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2011
Posts: 374
Originally Posted by OrionTanker
I am going with an educated guess that BNA for example will go senior. Opening up slots for junior guys in the other bases.
Take a look at Atlanta for example. ATL is essentially a satellite base about 3 times smaller as the other bases. Nothing in open time, extremely limited ability to trip trade etc.
Please tell me why anybody other than a few guys who live in the proposed new satellite base would want that.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
