A&P Mechanics - SWA

[carl]

I was told today that 3 Southwest Line Mechanics could work more than 150 flights a day in Phoenix. I wanted to scream BULL S--t. But I had no idea what the real numbers are. Could someone help me with the total number of flights and the number of Mechanics it takes to work them in Phoenix. Thanks, Carl

 

[KCFlyer]

According to the Southwest web site, they have 196 daily departures at PHX.

 

[mga707]

According to the Southwest web site, they have 196 daily departures at PHX.

Slightly out of date. As of today (March 4--one additional PHX-DEN trip was added) they have 201 daily (weekday) departures out of PHX.

 

[Some Clown]

At my station we have 89 flights a day and usually 3 or 4 mechanics on DAYs and 3 or 4 on EVES (depending on the day) on shift.

We have 14 RON's with usually between 8 and 11 mechanics and a Lead or 2 Leads (again depending on the day) We do Maint Visits 1, 2 and 3's (MV1 is a walk around basically, MV2 = Service Check type and MV3 is an "A" Check type check) on the -700 fleet.

And PM's Service Checks and A Checks on the -300/500 fleet.

It works out pretty well.. But we do need another guy on DAYs and EVEs though and it looks like that is in the pipe to come through pretty soon.. All in all, we stay pretty busy but as long as those profit sharing checks keep coming and stability stays the same, I'm happy to work my ass off.. Beats wondering if you will have a job tomorrow most of us who came from Brand X have experienced in the past.

 

[corl737]

SWA mechanics work their arses off to maintain their reputation as the best 737 maintainers in the world. It isn't easy and they do more with less than anyone else in the industry. Fortunately, 35 years of experience with a single airframe has built a corporate knowledge base that can't be found anywhere outside of Boeing -- and even Boeing asks SWA Maintenance for advice occasionally.

As a SWA Capt I am continually impressed by the top-notch maintenance performed by our mechanics. Rarely do I have a single deferred item, much less anything grounding the bird. My hats off to all of you!

(Oh yeah, we pilots don't always wear hats anymore! Well, if I owned a hat, I'd take it off to you! 😀 )

 

[wonderboy]

SWA mechanics work their arses off to maintain their reputation as the best 737 maintainers in the world. It isn't easy and they do more with less than anyone else in the industry. Fortunately, 35 years of experience with a single airframe has built a corporate knowledge base that can't be found anywhere outside of Boeing -- and even Boeing asks SWA Maintenance for advice occasionally.

As a SWA Capt I am continually impressed by the top-notch maintenance performed by our mechanics. Rarely do I have a single deferred item, much less anything grounding the bird. My hats off to all of you!

(Oh yeah, we pilots don't always wear hats anymore! Well, if I owned a hat, I'd take it off to you! 😀 )

Boy, the attitude difference between the SWA pilots and the NWA pilots! To whoever you are, sir, thanks for putting in a good word for the "other half" that gets the planes off the ground. Obviously teamwork goes a long way.

 

[wnbubbleboy]

I was told today that 3 Southwest Line Mechanics could work more than 150 flights a day in Phoenix. I wanted to scream BULL S--t. But I had no idea what the real numbers are. Could someone help me with the total number of flights and the number of Mechanics it takes to work them in Phoenix. Thanks, Carl

In BWI we have about 5 or 6 mech's plus one lead mechanic each shift for days and eves. I think we currently have around 160 flights or so. I have seen us run low as 2 mechanics on shift because of road trips and out of service aircraft.

There have been times where I as the stock clerk have been the only one left in the shop to answer incoming crew requests.

It happens rarely, but the show still goes on.

If Phoenix had three line Mechanics working gate calls they must of had few out of service planes being worked. I doubt that was an all day event though.

 

[Some Clown]

corl737,

Thanks for the kind words... You guys are awesome too.. I've never worked with a finer bunch of pilots! But as well all know, there are a few in each work group that make you wonder how they passed probation. lol

All in all, its about getting our Customers from point "A" to point "B" with as little problem as possible. So each of us do what we can to keep then coming back to our airline.

By the way, where are you based?

 

[corl737]

All in all, its about getting our Customers from point "A" to point "B" with as little problem as possible. So each of us do what we can to keep then coming back to our airline.

The SWA "secret" is simply that all the different workgroups (including management!) acknowledge that without each other, none of us gets a paycheck. Let's hope we never become a "real" airline!




(To answer your question, I'm currently at MDW.)

 

[WNjetdoc]

At Bwi we typically run 5 and 1 or 6 and 1 (days and eves)for 166 daily departures. So if you throw a road trip, which some months average more than 1 a day, into the loop you end up running pretty lean , but for the most part everybody steps up , leads, stock clerks , sup's .... to get the job done. I would also like to add that the RON shift takes care of on average 23 A/C each night sometimes more with diversions, and are extremely efficient, they dont get the credit they deserve in my opinion. All in all I can honestly say ive never worked with a more professional dedicated group of co-workers in my life , and thats everybody involved in daily opperations all the way up to mahogany row, I say this earnestly.