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 t...
Mar 03, 2025•28 min•Season 6Ep. 4
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 eligibility requirements for having Domicile Right of Return (DRR). There are currently 141 Pilots across the system in both seats who have a DRR. She also highlights a few points from our Benefits & Aeromedical Committee and Government Affairs Committee, including the recent FAA decision to indefinitely delay the implementation ...
Feb 28, 2025•9 min
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 ...
Feb 14, 2025•11 min
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 ...
Feb 10, 2025•33 min•Season 6Ep. 3
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...
Jan 31, 2025•8 min
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 ...
Jan 27, 2025•36 min•Season 6Ep. 2
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 ...
Jan 17, 2025•9 min
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 tap here to send us a text. Follow us online: Twitter - https://twitter.com/swapapilots Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/swapa737...
Jan 13, 2025•37 min•Season 6Ep. 1
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...
Jan 03, 2025•6 min
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 tap here to send us ...
Dec 30, 2024•25 min•Season 5Ep. 27
In this week’s edition, Matt McCants from the Communications Committee teases the multiple scheduling implementation items coming in early 2025. From Release to Check-In to ELITT enhancements, all Pilots should be aware of how the Q1 and Q2 schedules could be affected by the upcoming changes. There’s also a quick tip on how to access the last 10 emails on the SWAPA App, and the Contract Administration Q&A covers several popular scheduling topics like short notice reserve assignments, and how...
Dec 20, 2024•7 min
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
Dec 16, 2024•40 min•Season 5Ep. 26
In this week’s edition, Captain Tony Mulhare discusses where to find Holiday Override Pay, particularly over the New Year that could span two months. He also covers highlights of questions fielded by your Contract Admin staff this week including error pay for two pilots awarded the same leg, when scheduling might extend your duty period due to hotel transportation delays, and an important difference in planned vs executed minimum connection times. If you have any feedback for us at all, please d...
Dec 06, 2024•5 min
Today's SWAPA Number is 200. That's the number of pilots currently in monitoring of the HIMS program at Southwest Airlines. Today, we're sitting down with the HIMS Committee chair, Tom Stanley, to talk about all things the HIMS Committee is engaged in and some of the great success stories of the program. Now, maybe you don't feel like you need to know about this program, but mutual support has always been a part of flying, so let's dive in and talk about an important res...
Dec 02, 2024•38 min•Season 5Ep. 25
The latest episode of the SWAPA Ride Report is now available! In this week’s edition, Matt McCants from the Communications Committee goes over the multiple scheduling touches that are on deck in the next several quarters. He also speaks to the Joint Implementation Committee’s progress on Side Letter 2. The Contract Administration Q&A also covers several popular scheduling topics like the 12-hour RAP, short notice open time (SNOT) awards, and the mysterious vacation week disappearances some m...
Nov 22, 2024•6 min
Today's SWAPA Number is 8. That's the number of new faces that have joined the Southwest Airlines Board of Directors since Elliot announced its investment in June with five Elliot nominees being seated as part of a comprehensive agreement between the Company and Elliot Investment Management. This was the final announcement in a slew of headlines over the last several weeks that included the Company's third quarter financials as well as the investor day in late September. So on tod...
Nov 18, 2024•24 min•Season 5Ep. 24
In this week’s edition, Communications Manager Casey Casteel takes the membership through the new duty limits and connections requirement that went into effect this week. She also reminds Pilots that schedule changes due to the reduction in services at Florida airports may drive Leg Change Override, even if those changes happen prior to your reporting in for the pairing. Finally, she walks our Pilots through several questions that Contract Admin has dealt with recently, including month-to-month ...
Nov 08, 2024•8 min
Today's SWAPA Number is 10. That's the number of panels featured during this year's International Conference of Pilot Unions. Subject matter experts from Wall Street, the FAA, and four pilot association representatives were in attendance alongside SWAPA teams, as we not only addressed common issues in the industry, but the proposed solutions and way forward. Also joining us were president of the Allied Pilots Association, Nick Silva, NETJETS Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots, ...
Nov 04, 2024•43 min•Season 5Ep. 23
In this week’s edition, Matt McCants from the Communications Committee gives a recap of this past week’s events at the International Conference of Pilot Unions and the coming comm products from the panels you may have seen on social media. This will include a SWAPA Number episode featuring multiple pilot union presidents, and an article we will release next week. There is also some gouge on the scheduling changes you’ll see starting in November, as well as some quick reminders about OPS day and ...
Oct 25, 2024•7 min
Today's SWAPA Number is 163,649. That's the number of CAS events or times the jumpseat was utilized on Southwest aircraft just by Southwest Pilots in the last 12 months. That's almost 450 per day, illustrating just how highly utilized of a resource our jumpsuit is. Jumpseating will always be a part of being a SWAPA pilot. So today we're sitting down with Jumpseat Committee chair, Captain Brian Ross, for a 360 degree view of the jumpsuit world and what you need to know moving ...
Oct 21, 2024•25 min•Season 5Ep. 22
In this week’s edition, Communications Assistant Editor Alexis Thomas takes the membership through several highlights regarding open enrollment and the 2024 Fall General Election. She also gives a recap of the latest Contract Admin hot topics, including “Premium before Reserve” bidding, what happens if you call Crew Scheduling back after your 15-minute callback time is up, and commuter rules for waived deadheads that start a pairing. If you have any feedback for us at all, please drop us a line ...
Oct 11, 2024•6 min
Today's SWAPA Number is three. That's the number of avenues that SWAPA has pursued between CBA cycles to address issues that inevitably arise in membership business with the Company. These agreements of the association are brought forward when there is a need for corrective action or clarification, and they are highly dependent on the condition of the events. Whether these are letters of agreement, memorandums of understanding, or side letters, the breadth and depth of these issues can...
Oct 07, 2024•29 min•Season 5Ep. 21
In this week’s edition, Communications Committee member Matt McCants takes the membership around the big take aways following last week’s SWAPA Board of Directors meetings. From Aeromedical/Benefits and Safety information, to scheduling tips and where all the 2025 budget resources live, you’ll be up to speed on what’s happening across the committees. In the Q&A section, topics include reserve credit for canceled assignments, fatigue call policies, vacation shifts around holidays, LDO trigger...
Sep 27, 2024•9 min
Today's SWAPA number is $37 million. That's the total proposed operating expenses in the budget for 2025. SWAPA pilots will have an opportunity to vote on the budget in the upcoming fall general election. So on today's show we talk to SWAPA second vice President, Hank Ketchum, and our SWAPA Director of Finance, Brian Hickman about all things finance. 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: Twi...
Sep 23, 2024•30 min•Season 5Ep. 20
In this week’s edition, Communications Committee member Tony Mulhare discusses some vacation accrual errors that have been made for Pilots out on a medical leave of absence and how to check that the numbers in CWA are correct. Round 1 of vacation bidding closes tomorrow, so time is of the essence. He also recaps several questions that were fielded by Contract Admin this week, including how LCO works with a diversion as well as a move-up. There is also a great question regarding a jetway trade to...
Sep 13, 2024•7 min
Today's SWAPA Number is 86. That's the percentage of Contract 2020 provisions that will be implemented by the end of the third quarter of 2024. That said, the remaining 14 percent includes some very big ticket items like a training bid, major changes to ELITT, and a new vacation bidding process. So on today's show, we're going to talk to Scheduling and Analytics Manager Meagan Nelan, new SAC member Eric Gavin and SAC Chair Scott Plyler about where Contract 2020 scheduling imp...
Sep 09, 2024•27 min•Season 5Ep. 19
In this week’s edition, Captain Matt McCants takes the membership through the high points of the latest update to the Annotated CBA . This revision touches on a lot of sections, so be sure to download the latest version to your mobile device. He also gives a recap of the latest IT summit between the Scheduling and Analytics Committee and the Company team. Take a listen to find out what percentage of duty periods were already executed within the lower duty limit restrictions this year. The answer...
Aug 30, 2024•7 min
Today's SWAPA Number is 153. That's the number of emails, education materials, videos, and podcasts you've received from SWAPA in 2024 so far. And each one has passed through the Communications Committee before you saw or heard it. So today's podcast is about exactly that. We're sitting down with Communications Chair, Mike Panebianco and Communications Director, Amy Robinson, to talk about all the different areas the Communications Committee works in, what we're doi...
Aug 26, 2024•33 min•Season 5Ep. 18
This week, Communications Committee member Tony Mulhare takes a deep dive into how your sick bank and vacation accrual are related if you were to go out on disability and the importance of making sure you don’t get awarded a line for a month that you won’t fly in (unless you have vacation, of course). Check the Benefits Committee page on swapa.org for a more in-depth discussion and additional products related to this topic. He also discusses LRO and the SWA Payroll audit process, answers a quest...
Aug 16, 2024•10 min
Today's SWAPA Number is 6,529. That's the number of our pilots who are qualified to participate in this year's profit sharing transfer. A new provision in Contract 2020 allows pilots a one-time transfer of their profit sharing balances into the top ranked SWAPA 401(k) plan. Since it's a one-time benefit, it's important that our pilots understand the process and the details that could trip them up. So today on the show, we're going to talk with 401(k) committee chair...
Aug 12, 2024•31 min•Season 5Ep. 17
