The SWAPA Number

In this week’s edition, Captain Tony Mulhare takes the membership through some recently implemented contract touches, updates to the automated release to check in process as well as SWAPA pay audit improvements. He also does a deep dive into the DRR process and vacancy bidding and why senior pilots are placed into a base when there are more junior pilots with Domicile Right of Return. Contract Admin’s commonly asked questions this week cover the vacancy process, how pay multiples apply to duty period rigs versus trip rigs, and a question concerning holiday override pay. If you have any feedback for us at all, please drop us a line at comm@swapa.org or tap here to send us a text. Follow us online: Twitter - https://twitter.com/swapapilots Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/swapa737

Today's SWAPA number is 70. That's the number of projects IT is currently overseeing that will come to fruition in 2025. Some of these projects are happening behind the scenes, but still bring value and security to the organization and others like contract AI will be very pilot facing. So on today's episode, we sat down with Information Technology chair Will Young, IT committee member Thomas Lowery and IT director Leigh Sperberg to talk about what is on the docket for this year as well as in the future. If you have any feedback for us at all, please drop us a line at comm@swapa.org or tap here to send us a text. Follow us online: Twitter - https://twitter.com/swapapilots Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/swapa737

In this week’s edition, Communications Committee Chair Matt McCants breaks down all the scheduling headlines you’ve seen in the past few weeks. From ELITT Direct Drop/Direct Pickup data to the “why” behind line quality, listen in to learn more after you make sure you have the latest version of the Scheduling Handbook. He also points to the Aviation Medical Advisory Service (AMAS) links on the SWAPA Benefits page, and what to do if you are having claims issues or returning from a leave of absence. The Contract Q&A this week stems from the recent scheduling updates. What are your deadhead and TTGA options while on RTCI? How does your bid category come into play with ELITT Direct Drop and Direct Pickup? What is the recommended way to respond to a missed call from scheduling while on reserve and why? Tune in to find out. If you have any feedback for us at all, please drop us a line at comm@swapa.org or tap here to send us a text. Follow us online: Twitter - https://twitter.com/swapapilots Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/swapa737

Today's SWAPA Number is 175. That's the number of hours associated with being a new first officer at Southwest Airlines, which is the change from the 100 hours we previously used. The restrictions as part of being a new first officer is part of a comprehensive change in training and standards that both SWAPA and the Company are committed to, and we're seeing that in a number of places. We've seen a lot of forward-facing news on the training front in the last 12 months, and even more internal activity as the airline undergoes a shakeup top to bottom. From CHEP inspections to op stay, SWAPA has had some collaboration with the Company on these events and processes. Today we're sitting down the SWAPA Training and Standards Chair Greg Bowen to get the inside baseball on what's transpired and what's to come. If you have any feedback for us at all, please drop us a line at comm@swapa.org or tap here to send us a text. Follow us online: Twitter - https://twitter.com/swapapilots Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/swapa737

In this week’s edition, Communications Manager Casey Casteel takes the membership through the latest contract implementation item: ELITT direct drop and pick up and a few highlights for using that new tool. Casey gives a recap of the latest news on the Market Based Cash Balance Plan, and an update from the settlement of grievance 2024-004. Contract Q&A this week covers several questions concerning LRO vs LCO and future implementation of unscheduled overnights not counting toward the CAP. She wraps up this week’s podcast with questions on trading a reserve-assigned pairing after selecting Release Until Check In and a question about pay for DOT testing at the end of a pairing. If you have any feedback for us at all, please drop us a line at comm@swapa.org or tap here to send us a text. Follow us online: Twitter - https://twitter.com/swapapilots Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/swapa737

Today's SWAPA Number is 13. That's the number of pilots on staff at SWAPA Safety. This includes investigations, the Aviation Safety Action Program or ASAP and Air Traffic Services to name a few. Safety covers a lot of topics and is at the core of what we do on every flight. So today we're sitting down with SWAPA Safety chair, Gary Niemann and SWAPA investigation specialist, Craig Jakubowski to talk all things flight safety. If you have any feedback for us at all, please drop us a line at comm@swapa.org or tap here to send us a text. Follow us online: Twitter - https://twitter.com/swapapilots Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/swapa737

In this week’s edition, Multimedia Manager Jason Davis, from the SWAPA Communications staff, discusses the settlement of grievance 2024-004, latest vacancy results and the additional displacements that resulted, and the move up of implementation for 100% Domicile Right of Return (DRR). Jason also updates the membership on the roll out of Reserve Release Until Check In and the temporary manual work around due to automation difficulties. He closes with a Q&A section from Contract Admin, including questions on deadhead versus must-ride travel, open time trips in Trip Trade/Give Away, and release from deadhead while still on a Reserve duty period. If you have any feedback for us at all, please drop us a line at comm@swapa.org or tap here to send us a text. Follow us online: Twitter - https://twitter.com/swapapilots Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/swapa737

Today's SWAPA number is 1.1. That's the percentage of pay that Southwest will distribute in profit sharing from 2024. So today, we're sitting down to talk with NC member and retirement and benefits subject matter expert Damian Jennette, and 401(k) and investments director Mike Haynes about profit sharing and updates on other items that affect pilot retirement accounts in 2025. If you have any feedback for us at all, please drop us a line at comm@swapa.org or tap here to send us a text. Follow us online: Twitter - https://twitter.com/swapapilots Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/swapa737

In this week’s scheduling-centric edition, SWAPA Communications staff member Alexis Thomas updates the membership on all things displacements and Domicile Right of Return for the May vacancy. There are a lot of moving parts here, so take a listen to understand the options on the table and continue to reference the Displacement Resources page. She also gives the membership a status update on Release Until Check In, ELITT enhancements like direct drop and direct pickup, separate bid lines, and the shift in east coast RAPs. The Contract Q&A also has scheduling touches that the most senior captains and junior first officers will likely see. If you have any feedback for us at all, please drop us a line at comm@swapa.org or tap here to send us a text. Follow us online: Twitter - https://twitter.com/swapapilots Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/swapa737

Today's SWAPA Number is 18. That's the number of SWAPA presidents that we've had since SWAPA's inception in 1978. So in today's episode, we sat down with SWAPA President, Jody Reven. With the first board meeting of the year in the rear view mirror, and a lot of Company news of late, it's time to look down the road and see what's in store for SWAPA in 2025. If you have any feedback for us at all, please drop us a line at comm@swapa.org or tap here to send us a text. Follow us online: Twitter - https://twitter.com/swapapilots Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/swapa737

In this week’s edition, SWAPA Communications Staff Member Ella Ziober updates the membership on the displacements that resulted from the April vacancy and important differences between being displaced and having Domicile Right of Return (DRR). There are currently 141 pilots across the system in both seats that hold a DRR. She also highlights a few points from our Aeromedical and Benefits Committee and Government Affairs Committees, including the recent FAA decision to permanently delay the implementation of denial letters for airmen required to submit for information on a medical certificate application. She quickly touches on the first meetings between SWAPA and the Company on its partnership with Icelandair before diving into this week’s top five questions from Contract Admin. This week’s questions include pay questions on vacation month to month overlap, training travel pay, and a question on JA vs an unscheduled overnight. The show notes provide links to the relevant sections of the contract and the scheduling handbook for easy reference. Displacement Resources page Airline Partnerships - Section 1 video Section 15.C.7.b.5 - Hotel Accommodations Section 2.T - Vacation Pay Scheduling Handbook Section 2.K.3 - On-line Scheduled Pay Section 14.E - Vacation Adjustments Section 9.K.4.m - Monthly Overlap Correction If you have any feedback for us at all, please drop us a line at comm@swapa.org or tap here to send us a text. Follow us online: Twitter - https://twitter.com/swapapilots Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/swapa737

Today's SWAPA Number is 1200. That's the number of cases that Professional Standards has worked in the last 12 months. That's about 100 per month or about three a day. Those are high numbers and well within our control, but we'd much rather see that number of cases go here than over to company channels. So today we sit down for our annual chat with Professional Standards chair, Captain Jon Ross, to update the membership on a must-listen episode about how pilots need to be as familiar with Professional Standards as they are with any other part of the Company or SWAPA. If you have any feedback for us at all, please drop us a line at comm@swapa.org or send us a text. Follow us online: Twitter - https://twitter.com/swapapilots Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/swapa737

In this week’s edition, Communications Committee Chair Matt McCants summarizes this week’s Board of Directors meetings. From the Scheduling & Analytics Committee highlights to the Q&A session with Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan, this episode covers all the briefings that your domicile representatives received. Your Board of Directors will have more details on these briefings, including links to useful resources on the material presented. Be on the lookout for their email! If you have any feedback for us at all, please drop us a line at comm@swapa.org or send us a text. Follow us online: Twitter - https://twitter.com/swapapilots Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/swapa737

Today's SWAPA number is 86%. That's the percentage of pilots who open each email SWAPA sends out to the membership, but that doesn't tell the whole story. There's a lot of data that we gather on the comm channels, and now's a good time to dive into those numbers and what they mean. Today we're joined by American Airlines Captain Andrea Hoover, Communications chair at the Allied Pilots Association, along with our own Communications director, Amy Robinson, to compare some notes on comm data, talk about what's working, and what we can improve on in 2025. If you have any feedback for us at all, please drop us a line at comm@swapa.org or send us a text. Follow us online: Twitter - https://twitter.com/swapapilots Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/swapa737

In this week’s edition, Captain Tony Mulhare points to resources for recently displaced pilots that have been produced by the Scheduling Analytics Committee, how to find your Open Time Priority Range in CWA, and newly implemented limitations on RAP changes. He also covers several high frequency questions fielded by our Contract Admin staff this week on topics including Domicile Right of Return (DRR), POT before Reserve, and the upcoming end of eligibility for paid moves to Nashville. If you have any feedback for us at all, please drop us a line at comm@swapa.org or send us a text. Follow us online: Twitter - https://twitter.com/swapapilots Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/swapa737

Today's SWAPA Number is 5. That's the number of US National Aerobatics Championships that Kirby Chambliss has earned, along with 13 medals at the World Aerobatic Championships and two season championships in the Red Bull Racing series. So, today we are sitting down on location with Kirby in his Chandler, Arizona hangar to talk about his life in an airplane, his passion for inspiring the next generation, and what comes next. If you have any feedback for us at all, please drop us a line at comm@swapa.org or send us a text. Follow us online: Twitter - https://twitter.com/swapapilots Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/swapa737

In this week’s episode, Communications Committee Chair Matt McCants describes the technology maintenance and timeline, pointing to January’s RP for more details on what SWAPA IT does for the membership. If you’re thinking of flying red-eye pairings, you’ll want to hear how the ELITT mechanics work for now, and everyone should listen in for the quick reminders from Professional Standards. The Contract Q&A this week covers a lot of ground from minimum rest legalities to what you’ll be paid if an additional duty is added to the end of your assignment…and then cancels. If you have any feedback for us at all, please drop us a line at comm@swapa.org or send us a text. Follow us online: Twitter - https://twitter.com/swapapilots Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/swapa737

Today's SWAPA Number is 2. That's the number of pilots that belong on the flight deck. Your Government Affairs Committee is actively engaged on Capitol Hill, informing and educating Congress on this issue along with many others that affect our careers as airline pilots. If you have any feedback for us at all, please drop us a line at comm@swapa.org or send us a text. Follow us online: Twitter - https://twitter.com/swapapilots Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/swapa737

In this week’s edition, Communications Committee member Tony Mulhare discusses the annual increase to pay rates, per diem, and flight physical reimbursements. He also reminds pilots that your uniform allotment is tied to your anniversary date, not the new year. He also gives a recap of the several top questions that contract admin fielded in 2024 including what happens to GTO if you arrange to stay at the hotel when your first flight of the day is delayed, a question on monthly overlap rules and how they apply to reserve blocks, and finally how LCO works when you weather divert. If you have any feedback for us at all, please drop us a line at comm@swapa.org or send us a text. Follow us online: Twitter - https://twitter.com/swapapilots Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/swapa737

Today's SWAPA Number is 1,460. That's the total number of days that Casey Murray will have been in office when his presidency comes to a close on December 31st. So, to close the year out, we sat down with Casey to put a bow on his terms as president and life at SWAPA. We'll contrast what the organization looked like when he started and what it will be as we look into the future. If you have any feedback for us at all, please drop us a line at comm@swapa.org or send us a text. Follow us online: Twitter - https://twitter.com/swapapilots Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/swapa737