The SWAPA Ride Report: Vacation Accrual, Payroll Audit Process & Contract Q&A

In this week’s edition, Alexis Thomas from our Communications staff takes the membership through several highlights regarding open enrollment season and election season.She also gives a recap of the latest Contract Admin hot topics to include Premium before Reserve bidding, what happens if you call Crew Scheduling back after your fifteen minute call back 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 at [email protected] us online:Twitter - https://twitter.com/swapapilotsFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/swapa737

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 dictate the options on the table. We've already seen some examples of these things happening since Contract 2020 was ratified. So today we're talking with Negotiating Committee chair Jody Reven, and NC member, Kurt Heidemann, about what these different agreements are, how their mechanisms work, and why these processes are an important part of how SWAPA does business. If you have any feedback for us at all, please drop us a line at [email protected] us online:Twitter - https://twitter.com/swapapilotsFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/swapa737

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 triggers, and ETOPS recurrent training requirements. Good questions from unique situations out on the line continue to come in.If you have any feedback for us at all, please drop us a line at [email protected] us online:Twitter - https://twitter.com/swapapilotsFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/swapa737

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 [email protected] us online:Twitter - https://twitter.com/swapapilotsFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/swapa737

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 training, a pro tip on vacation shifting into holiday weeks, and a reminder to all probationary Pilots that second-year pay language for OT is now in effect.If you have any feedback for us at all, please drop us a line at [email protected] us online:Twitter - https://twitter.com/swapapilotsFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/swapa737

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 implementation stands now, what has been accomplished so far and what's coming over the next year.If you have any feedback for us at all, please drop us a line at [email protected] us online:Twitter - https://twitter.com/swapapilotsFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/swapa737

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 might surprise you. With vacation bidding coming up, this episode’s Q&A focuses on the C2020 vacation touches, and what to look forward to down the road. The show notes will point you to even more vacation bidding resources, like the TA education podcast and August RP article.LINKS:Annotated CBAVacation Bidding - Section 14 | Contract 2020 TA EducationVacation Bidding for 2025If you have any feedback for us at all, please drop us a line at [email protected] us online:Twitter - https://twitter.com/swapapilotsFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/swapa737

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 doing to improve those products and what you can expect down the road.If you have any feedback for us at all, please drop us a line at [email protected] us online:Twitter - https://twitter.com/swapapilotsFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/swapa737

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 question about repositions, and explains when a reserve Pilot can be assigned a pairing instead of using a premium OT bidder.If you have any feedback for us at all, please drop us a line at [email protected] us online:Twitter - https://twitter.com/swapapilotsFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/swapa737

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, Drew Payne, and 401(k) director, Mike Haynes, about the transfer window, the process, and whether or not this year's transfer is the right time for you.If you have any feedback for us at all, please drop us a line at [email protected] us online:Twitter - https://twitter.com/swapapilotsFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/swapa737