Meet Swoop - WestJet's ultra-low-cost carrier has a name, a home and a purpose

[HansDietrich]

I didn't see this posted anywhere else...

http://westjet2.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1273

https://www.flyswoop.com/

[montado]

Worth leaving Jazz for, Hans?

[Inverted2]

Hopefully this doesn't involve a pink tie and a 20% pay cut.

[RRJetPilot]

Hopefully this doesn't involve a pink tie and a 20% pay cut.

100% it will. Will be interesting to see where they get the pilots from. Because for sure the wages will not be mainline wages. I would bet my left nut on that. Also on the pink ties etc.

[Rowdy]

'Swoop there is it!'

[infiniteregulus]

[PROC_HDG]

If I were WJALPA's newly formed Negotiating Committee, I would be dropping everything right now and focusing on getting the scope clause of the century. This pink piece of garbage has the potential to do some serious damage to our profession

PROC_HDG

[infiniteregulus]

And here folks is the end of an era. Luxury to meh to this.

[Old fella]

If the fare offers are to good to be true, then consumers should do due diligence with these LCCs.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/airline ... -1.4301505

[Old fella]

Hopefully this doesn't involve a pink tie and a 20% pay cut.

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://youtu.be/2x8D4T--0v4

[YesMassaPayson]

Yikes

[ant_321]

Any rumours on pay other than it will probably be crap? $500 maybe? It will be interesting to see where they get captains from.

[Dangerous Goods]

The numbers that GS has been dropping in hallway conversations with other pilots is 65% of mainline wages and benefits, and more days worked of course.

[rudder]

The numbers that GS has been dropping in hallway conversations with other pilots is 65% of mainline wages and benefits, and more days worked of course.

You have got to be kidding? Is he smoking crack?

[moe]

trip G loves crack...and cheap pilots.

[TFTMB heavy]

If I were WJALPA's newly formed Negotiating Committee, I would be dropping everything right now and focusing on getting the scope clause of the century. This pink piece of garbage has the potential to do some serious damage to our profession

PROC_HDG

This is tricky because they all have a different OC and no official affiliation like AC and Rouge (Rouge is under a LOU in the AC contract. WS reps can't negotiate the pay rates and conditions for Encore and Swoop. So unless the company is playing nice and wants to work out a beneficial for all agreement then it's a bit of a stale mate if they are using it as a negotiating tactict.

All ALPA can do is make it as hard as possible for Swoop to get crewed, no flow with seniority, loss of WS seniority if they go for a management position at Swoop... ALPA owns the seniority, not the company. Might seem unreasonable but the union can only mirror the what is across the negotiation table. When WS plays nice then ALPA will too.

[HansDietrich]

Worth leaving Jazz for, Hans?

Good question. It would be, if one's goal was primarily to get a 737NG type rating then move overseas. I'm also willing to bet that regardless of how cheap "Swoop" goes, it will never pay a 737 F/O 40K a year. I just don't see that happening; then again, I've seen more shocking things in this industry.

I have a feeling this grotesque experiment will turn into another "ZIP" or "Tango", something that I hope for. We've all been responsible by playing our small part in the degradation of our industry. I just never thought it possible at this level. A guy like me, with thousands of hours of flying should not have to prostitute himself for a type rating or flight benefits.

Yet... there will always be that one individual that sais... F*ck it, I got me a NG Type Rating...

[FICU]

I would be expecting a bond and all ancillary costs during training paid for by the pink pilot.

[Old fella]

Pardon my ignorance of all things airlines but where are the B737-800 or whatever Captains gonna come from, those guys/gals are not exactly dime a dozen this day and age.

[RidersRule]

I can see it now...

"Come fly Swoop where we charge you to poop!!"

It's funny because it's true...

[skypirate88]

I sure hope the bank can give me a loan for my 737 type rating...maybe use my house as collateral. I'd really like to fly the 737 and don't mind pink.

How low are we going to go? I have never seen hiring like this in my career, and yet we have what I thought was a respectable company trying to drive down wawcon even further. I sure hope this isn't going to be a carrot dangled in front of the Encore group to stop them from joining ALPA

[Dangerous Goods]

You can bet you pink bottom they'll use it as a carrot, and MANY pilots will bite. Just be prepared to lose flow and your spot on the mainline list. But hey, they'll get to fly a 737, so that's pretty cool....

[HansDietrich]

I sure hope the bank can give me a loan for my 737 type rating...maybe use my house as collateral. I'd really like to fly the 737 and don't mind pink.

How low are we going to go? I have never seen hiring like this in my career, and yet we have what I thought was a respectable company trying to drive down wawcon even further. I sure hope this isn't going to be a carrot dangled in front of the Encore group to stop them from joining ALPA

I agree with you to some extent, but remember, flying as an F/O on a Dash or Q at any of the "regionals" doesn't pay that great anymore. Anyone with half a brain would pick Jazz, Encore or Porter over Swoop, but as long as Flair can get 737 pilots, this Swoop will be able to get them too. Also, if your goal is to go overseas and fly heavy metal, a 737NG type rating and 500 hrs on type is almost a guarantee job, making over 150K a year somewhere in Asia or the ME.

So, it is an attractive offer but only as a stepping stone to those who want to move on quickly.

[North Shore]

The numbers that GS has been dropping in hallway conversations with other pilots is 65% of mainline wages and benefits, and more days worked of course.

I can see a mid-level f/o at somewhere stagnant taking that, getting 500pic, and weigh-heigh, off to China and big dollars.

They'll get pilots at 65%, for sure; as I see it, the big question is will they keep them?

[infiniteregulus]

Tell me again why Asia and ME pays so highly for pilots and North America does not??