The SWAPA Number

SWAPA

In each podcast we explore a number that will help us explain an issue that matters to our Pilots. This might be a scheduling metric, a Company financial number that impacts us, or anything else that has significance to us as SWAPA Pilots.

  1. May 25

    Hotels | Contract 2029 SEP Education

    Join host Amy Robinson, Matt McCants, and guest Amanda Burford, SWAPA’s Hotels Liaison, for a discussion on crew accommodations as part of the Contract 2029 Education Series. This episode covers key insights into hotel policies, processes, and the role of the Crew Accommodations Board in supporting pilots on the road. For more information, visit the  Crew Hotels and Resources Site . This site gives you access to the Crew Rest Feedback Form, Crew Hotel List/Alternates, Hotel Standards Manual, and the Amenities and Transportation List.

    43 min
  2. 4.6% (Earnings, Hank Ketchum, Greg Auld, Erich Schnitzler)

    May 11

    4.6% (Earnings, Hank Ketchum, Greg Auld, Erich Schnitzler)

    Today's SWAPA Number is 4.6 as in 4.6%. That was Southwest Airlines operating margin in the first quarter of 2026. That's the best first quarter margin that the company has produced since before the pandemic. So today, we'll take a look at the company's financial performance, how its revenue initiatives have played out and where we go from here. Joining us today are SWAPA Second Vice President, Hank Ketchum, as well as Erich Schnitzler and Greg Auld from the Economic and Financial Analysis Committee. We've also included a companion piece that defines some of the financial terms that we'll be talking about today. So please take a look at that to help follow along if you didn't major in finance.

    34 min

  3. Apr 21

    Long Haul Scheduling Roundtable with APA and Delta/ALPA | Contract 2029 SEP Education

    Welcome back to the Contract 2029 SEP Education Series. This episode builds on recent scheduling education tied to a potential new fleet, focusing on key points due to time limits. Members from SWAPA, APA, and Delta ALPA discuss long‑haul widebody scheduling concepts as a due‑diligence exercise—not a forecast—to help pilots understand how widebody operations differ if future fleet changes occur.

    51 min

  4. Apr 7

    New Fleet | Contract 2029 SEP Education

    Welcome back to the Contract 2029 Education Series as we continue our focus on scope. The first four lessons reviewed Section 1 basics, current airline partnerships, differences between Southwest and other airline scope, and common FAQs. Those resources set the foundation for today’s discussion with negotiating chair Kurt Heidemann and EFA chairs Erich Schnitzler and Greg Auld on new fleet types and potential Section 1 impacts.

    35 min

  5. Mar 30

    Scope and Section 1 FAQs | Contract 2029 SEP Education

    Communications Committee Pilots Matt McCants and Tony Mulhare go over the 26 Frequently Asked Questions from the first 3 weeks of education on Section 1. From important definitions to differences in our competitors' scope language, this is a great summary that leads into our discussion of new fleet possibilities next week.

    17 min
  6. 1.1% (Profit Sharing, Damian Jennette)

    Mar 23

    1.1% (Profit Sharing, Damian Jennette)

    Today's SWAPA Number is 1.1%. That's the percentage of pay that Southwest will distribute in profit sharing from 2025. So today we're sitting down with retirement guru and negotiating subject matter expert, Damian Jeanette, about profit sharing, the market-based cash balance plan, and updates to our retirement accounts in 2026.

    31 min
  7. Section 1 | Contract 2029 SEP Education

    Mar 9

    Section 1 | Contract 2029 SEP Education

    Welcome to your Contract 2029 SEP Education series. In this first episode, Negotiating Committee Chair Kurt Heidemann will go over all areas of Section one for our Pilots. If you have any feedback for us at all, please drop us a line at comm@swapa.org. Follow us online: Twitter - https://twitter.com/swapapilots Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/swapa737

    15 min
  8. 7-1-27 ( SEP Process, Jody Reven, Kurt Heidemann)

    Feb 23

    7-1-27 ( SEP Process, Jody Reven, Kurt Heidemann)

    Today's SWAPA Number is 7/1/27, as in July 1st, 2027. That is when SWAPA has the right to early open negotiations for the next collective bargaining agreement. That may seem like a long way off, but in order to be ready for that moment, the membership must form the outline of what we are trying to achieve, and we do that through a process called Survey, Educate, and Poll. Joining us today to walk through that process and, more importantly, your role in it, we have a negotiating Committee Chair Kurt Heidemann and President Jody Reven. By the end of this show, you'll understand how your input directly shapes what SWAPA seeks to achieve and why this process matters more than ever. If you have any feedback for us at all, please drop us a line at comm@swapa.org. Follow us online: Twitter - https://twitter.com/swapapilots Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/swapa737

    37 min
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About

In each podcast we explore a number that will help us explain an issue that matters to our Pilots. This might be a scheduling metric, a Company financial number that impacts us, or anything else that has significance to us as SWAPA Pilots.

Information

  • Creator
    SWAPA
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The SWAPA Number
  • Show Website
    The SWAPA Number

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