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TWU 557 Southwest Flight Crew Training Instructors
By Jordan Parker, Staff Writer, Dallas Morning News The airline's flight attendants union spoke to The News about safety concerns regarding a change in Southwest's jump seat policy. Jump seats are extra seats that are located in the cabin and…
REGULATIONS AND GOVERNMENT By KERRY LYNCH • Editor, AIN monthly magazine May 12, 2026 Cloud-based system will be more reliable © ForeFlight screenshot The FAA has completed the first phase of its long-planned upgrade of the notam system, the agency…
Christine Boynton April 28, 2026 Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images JetBlue Airways is not ruling out the possibility of government support, describing the current fuel environment as the most significant headwind the industry has faced since the COVID-19 pandemic. Compared to…
Greetings fellow instructors! The Trade board (https://trades.twu557.org) has gone through some significant under-the-hood upgrades, with the added result of some additional features that are now available for your use. The user interface remains the same, but there a few additional…
Lee Ann Shay James Pozzi April 01, 2026 Southwest is navigating maintenance challenges and fleet modernization. Credit: Southwest Airlines Ken Barone, director of fleet asset management at Southwest Airlines, discussed with Lee Ann Shay and James Pozzi how the airline…
Sean Broderick March 31, 2026 Credit: San Francisco International Airport An FAA review of a long-used arrival procedure at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has deemed it non-compliant, prompting the agency to order immediate changes that cut the airport's maximum…
Edward Russell, thanks to Frank Wright There will be fewer ways to fly to Chicago and Washington, D.C., on Southwest Airlines this summer. The Dallas-based carrier will end service to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Dulles International Airport (IAD)…
SOURCE: SAGE AND DMN By JORDAN PARKER, Dallas Morning News Southwest Airlines relaunches longest nonstop flight from Love Field Southwest Airlines is once again offering nonstop flights from Love Field Airport, where it is the dominant carrier, to Seattle-Tacoma International…
By Jordan Parker, Dallas Morning News, thanks to Frank Wright U.S. and global carriers race to see who can provide the fastest internet. As the era of high-speed internet onboard commercial aircraft dawns, U.S. airlines are engaging in arms race…
Sean Broderick February 19, 2026 Credit: Images-USA/Alamy Stock Photo Southwest Airlines remains "optimistic" that its first Boeing 737-7s will arrive late this year and enter service in early 2027, a top executive said. "We're being told, later this year they…
In a very close election, held during November of 2025, Jim Hilgart was elected as Vice President of TWU557, filling the remaining term of Brian Watson who went to the line as a line pilot. Jim is one of our…
Elliott Investment Management Economic Holdings in LUV (with Share Price) Data via SEC, Yahoo! Finance There are an enormous number of filings that public companies have to make with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). They are all public and…
Christine Boynton December 08, 2025 Credit: Southwest Airlines The U.S. Transportation Department (DOT) has canceled the final installment of a civil penalty owed by Southwest Airlines for its winter 2022 operational disruption. Announced in December 2023, the $140 million fine…
UPDATED: November 25th, 2025 November 14th, 2025 Due to a security issue with Microsoft and one of our website plugins, the ability to preview a PDF file on the website has been temporarily blocked. You can’t simply view the seniority…
Sean Broderick Christine Boynton Guy Norris November 06, 2025 The UPS Boeing MD-11 that crashed while taking off from Louisville International Airport Nov. 4 lost its No. 1 engine before the aircraft cleared the airport perimeter, the NTSB said in…
September 26, 2025 Voting to accept or reject the Tentative Agreement reached with the company to extend our current contract with modifications was completed, and the TA has been rejected by the majority of the membership. With 181 voting, the…
Voting to accept or reject the Tentative Agreement reached with the company to extend our current contract with modifications is now open and will continue through September 26th, 2025 at 3 pm. Vote by selecting the “Member Voting” menu choice…
In case you missed the announcement: Pilot Hiring Update Grant Morris VP Flight Operations Published 8/15/2025 · 2 min read To offset planned attrition and retirements and ensure we’re appropriately staffed for our summer 2026 schedule, we’re increasing our 2025 hiring…
Welcome to your new instructor website! Our goal is to make it easier to find the resources you need and to help us communicate with each other better. You’ll find that you have more control over your own profile information.…
Last month, EFA Committee Chair Erich Schnitzler and I attended the Wolfe Research Global Transportation & Industrials Conference in New York City. Wolfe Research is one of the premier equity research firms on Wall Street. I was invited to speak…
Mary Schlangenstein for Bloomberg Southwest Airlines has filed with the U.S. Transportation Department for authority to fly to any country with which the U.S. has an Open Skies aviation agreement, signaling the carrier intends to expand its small international route…
By Alexandra Skores, thanks to Frank Wright & Paul Mathis The airline based in Dallas lost $231 million in the first quarter. Southwest Airlines is cutting operations at four airports, including Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport, after losing $231 million…
Graham Warwick April 11, 2025 Loft's VR simulator will have a much reduced footprint compared with a conventional Level D full-flight simulator (left). Credit: Loft Dynamics/Alaska Airlines With the stated goal of challenging the status quo in pilot training, Switzerland's…
April 1, 2025 Two new TWU557 board members stepped in, replacing the outgoing VP and Member-at-Large whose terms ended March 31, 2025. Taking over as the new Vice President is Brian Watson. He replaces Gordy Purcey who finished his 3-year…
Capt Jim Baird has been recognized for his years of service to TWU557, receiving an award presented by Jose Garza, TWU National Representative. The acrylic plaque reads in part “In Recognition of your Dedicated Service to the Membership of the…
Sean Broderick March 25, 2025 Credit: Sean Broderick/Aviation Week Network An engine control software change that will address in-aircraft smoke risks following major Boeing 737 MAX CFM Leap 1B engine failures is slated to be available in 2026, Boeing told…
By SASHA RICHIE, Dallas Morning News Southwest Airlines stunned customers Tuesday by announcing a sudden shift: charging passengers for checked bags, a first in its more than 50-year history and the latest in a series of radical changes to turn…
Dallas Morning News Editorial, Mar. 15, 2025, thanks to Frank Wright Shareholder pressure aside, corporate culture and a beloved brand actually do matter. Southwest Airlines has always been really good at the clever bit. But lately, and with apologies to…
By Bloomberg Wire Customers will be charged for their first and second checked bags unless they hold top-tier loyalty status or are traveling on a business fare. Southwest Airlines Co. will begin charging passengers for some checked luggage, ending a…
From Cranky Flyer…Frank B. Wright Southwest did not lay people off. In the nearly 54 years since the airline started flying, it never has laid anyone off, and that was a key part of the company lore. But late yesterday,…
Thanks to Frank Wright SAGE (Southwest Airlines Golden Eagles)-Retired Pilots DALLAS, Jan. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) and BBAM today announced the sale and leaseback of 36 Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The aircraft will be owned and…
Christine Boynton January 07, 2025 Credit: Markus Mainka / Alamy Stock Photo Executing on a fleet strategy announced during its recent investor day, Southwest Airlines has entered into a sale-leaseback transaction for 36 Boeing 737-800s. The transaction with Babcock &…
Christine Boynton January 03, 2025 Credit: Joe Pries For the first time, the U.S. Transportation Department (DOT) is penalizing a U.S. airline for "chronic flight delays," assessing a $2 million penalty against JetBlue Airways for infractions it says occurred in…
Daniel Williams January 03, 2025 Credit: Joe Pries As a new year begins, this week's Flight Friday looks back to an event that happened one year ago: the Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-9 (MAX 9) door plug blowout on Jan. 5,…
Jens Flottau December 19, 2024 Credit: Boeing FRANKFURT - Turkish LCC Pegasus Airlines' order for up to 200 Boeing 737-10s is not only a significant win for Boeing and the yet-to-be-certified aircraft in Europe but also represents a major flip…
Kent Jackson December 09, 2024 Honeywell and Curtiss-Wright have developed the HCR-25 cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder for Airbus and Boeing aircraft that meets the new 25-hr. CVR requirement. Credit: Honeywell Aerospace Cockpit Voice Recorders (CVR) are a…
Sean Broderick November 25, 2024 CFM Leap 1-B engine Credit: Sean Broderick/AWST The NTSB's decision to open a formal investigation into a December 2023 bird strike involving a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 will add scrutiny to the rarely…
Karen Walker November 12, 2024 A Boeing 737-700 in Southwest livery. Credit: Southwest Airlines The latest chapter in the book of change at U.S. carrier Southwest Airlines has been written. How will the story end? Developments so far in Southwest's…
Sean Broderick November 12, 2024 A Boeing 737-8 rendered in ASG livery. Credit: Boeing Avia Solutions Group (ASG) has ordered 40 Boeing 737-8s and taken options on 40 more, marking the first direct purchase of Boeing aircraft for the full-service…
Nov. 11, 2024 at 5:42 pm By Lauren Rosenblatt Seattle Times Amazon reporter Boeing's 33,000 Machinists union members will be back at work Tuesday, restarting production at the company's largest commercial airplane factories after an eight-week strike left the plants…
Published: November 8, 2024 3:04pm EST Author 1. Jake Rosenfeld Professor of Sociology, Washington University in St. Louis Disclosure statement Jake Rosenfeld does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would…
BY ALISON SIDER, WSJ, thanks to Frank Wright Southwest Airlines struck a truce with Elliott Investment Management, giving the activist a significant presence on its board but not the majority control the hedge fund initially sought. The settlement announced Thursday…
Christine Boynton October 24, 2024 Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-7 Credit: Boeing Should Boeing's machinist strike continue for much longer, Southwest Airlines will have to take a hard look at its plans for 2025. The Dallas-based carrier had planned for a…
By ALEXANDRA SKORES Staff Writer alexandra.skores@dallasnews.com Dallas Morning News front page story… Activist investor circles Dec. 10 date It wants meeting called to gather shareholders' input on directors "Elliott's actions highlight its lack of understanding of Southwest's business and its…
By ALEXANDRA SKORES, Dallas Morning News, thanks to Frank Wright Carrier details profitability plan, Elliott response at the end Changes to operation, perks follow pressure by stakeholder Elliott Southwest Airlines is launching a new plan to return the carrier to…
Christine Boynton September 10, 2024 United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby Credit: Logan Cyrus/AFP via Getty Images United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby believes Boeing has "turned the corner," impressed with the moves new chief executive Kelly Ortberg has made thus far.…
Christine Boynton September 10, 2024 Former CEO of Southwest Airlines Gary Kelly speaks during a press conference at Southwest Airlines headquarters on April 17, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. Credit: Stewart F. House / Getty Images Executive Chairman Gary Kelly is…
By Alexandra Skores After lobbying from Elliott Management, Gary Kelly will retire as executive chairman next year and six other board members are stepping down. Aviation Reporter, Dallas Morning News Southwest Airlines' executive chairman and former CEO Gary Kelly will…
Christine Boynton September 09, 2024 Weather caused 74.26% of system-impacting delays greater than 15 min. from 2017 through 2023, according to the FAA. Credit: Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images It is nearly 80F in Dallas when Southwest Airlines executives…
Our newly elected (April 2024) member at large, Greg Daley, was sworn into office by Jose Galarza, our TWU International representative. Thanks, Greg, for being willing to serve us all.
By Alexandra Skores, Dallas Morning News Elliott Investment Management disclosed intentions to call a special meeting and nominate new board candidates weeks ago. Elliott Investment Management, the activist investor aggressively pushing for change at Dallas-based Southwest Airlines, says it now…
*By Alexandra Skores, Dallas Morning News* Southwest asked union leaders to sign NDA for a meeting about Elliott. They declined Unions at Southwest Airlines were asked to sign a nondisclosure agreement regarding a meeting about Elliott Investment Management. Union leaders…
By Alexandra Skores Dallas' hometown airline is one of North Texas' largest, high-profile companies and has experienced many challenges over the last several years. Aviation Reporter 5:30 AM on Aug 22, 2024 CDT Staff illustration(Michael Hogue) Herb Kelleher, founder of…
Christine Boynton August 20, 2024 Credit: WestJet WestJet aircraft damaged in a hailstorm are beginning to return to service, the carrier has confirmed, with repairs completed on one Boeing 737-8 and one 787. Initially, a total of 16 aircraft were…
David Casey Christine Boynton August 20, 2024 Credit: Jim West/Alamy Stock Photo Alaska Airlines' planned $1.9 billion acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines has cleared an important regulatory hurdle after the antitrust review period for the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) ended…
Sean Broderick August 16, 2024 Credit: Airbus / David Velupillai American Airlines has flight-tested a planned update to advanced cockpit display functionality that will provide pilots with a lead aircraft's vertical path and plans to equip its entire Airbus A321…
Bring Best-in-Class Experience in Airlines, Technology, the Consumer and Hospitality Sectors, Labor Relations and Regulatory Oversight. Elliott Takes Key Step Toward Implementing Urgent Changes at Southwest Full Materials Available at StrongerSouthwest.com WEST PALM BEACH, FL (August 13, 2024) - Elliott…
Thanks to Frank Wright MILWAUKEE, Aug. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - The following statement is issued by the Global Value Team at Artisan Partners Limited Partnership, whose discretionary investment management clients collectively hold more than 10.8 million shares of Southwest…
By Lauren Thomas, Wall Street Journal, thanks to Frank Wright Elliott: Prepares to Launch Proxy Fight - Starbucks replaces CEO Elliott Prepares to Launch Proxy Fight at Southwest Airlines The activist plans to nominate as many as 10 directors to…
By ALEXANDRA SKORES, Dallas Morning News Activist investor edges closer to forcing meeting, board changes Activist investor Elliott Investment Management disclosed it has a 7% beneficial ownership in Dallas-based Southwest Airlines, a step closer to allowing shareholders the chance to…
By Alison Sider and Andrew Tangel, thanks to Frank Wright Southwest Airlines Faces Federal Scrutiny After Spate of Near Accidents Airline says it is working with regulator in reviewing recent incidents U.S. air-safety regulators are launching a broad review of…
By Jacob Roach July 19, 2024 10:19AM A Windows version from 1992 is saving Southwest's butt right now Stephen Miller / Southwest Airlines Nearly every flight in the U.S. is grounded right now following a CrowdStrike system update error that's…
By ALEXANDRA SKORES, Dallas Morning News, thanks to Frank Wright SOUTHWEST inks air taxi deal Agreement with Archer Aviation kicks off plans to develop California network Southwest Airlines has signed an agreement with Archer Aviation to develop operational plans for…
Allyson Versprille and Mary Schlangenstein for Bloomberg, thanks to Frank Wright By ALEXANDRA SKORES, Dallas Morning News, thanks to Frank Wright Southwest Airlines 'Dutch roll' incident happened after maintenance, NTSB reports A Southwest Airlines Co. plane that experienced an unusual…
Christine Boynton July 08, 2024 Veteran To Board; Elliott Calls For CEO Transition Credit: Joe Pries Former US Airways Group CEO and IndiGo co-founder Rakesh Gangwal has joined the Southwest Airlines Board of Directors, the carrier's latest move to be…
July 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - thanks to Frank Wright SWA announces the appointment of Rakesh Gangwal the the Board of Directors The Board of Directors of Southwest Airlines Co.has appointed Rakesh Gangwal as a member of the Board, effective July…
Karen Walker July 02, 2024 Credit: Sean Broderick/AW&ST In the 12 months between this year's IATA AGM in Dubai and the previous one in Istanbul, Boeing Commercial Airplanes' (BCA) already awful situation has worsened. Another serious 737 MAX incident -…
Jul 3, 2024, From the press room at Southwest, thanks to Frank Wright Board Acts in Response to a Significant Accumulation by Elliott Investment Management Protects Value of All Shareholders' Investments in Southwest Airlines The Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV)…
June 26, 2024 The Motivations of Elliott This morning, Southwest Airlines filed a Form 8-K to update investors regarding their guidance for the second quarter. RASM (revenue per available seat mile) was a disappointment as the Company amended their guidance…
By Alexandra Skores, Dallas Morning News, thanks to Frank Wright Elliott Investment Management has used its $1.9 billion stake in the Dallas-based airline to campaign for change. Southwest Airlines is lowering its revenue expectations this quarter, just as an activist…
June 24, 2024By Jonathan Welsh The pilot of a Boeing Stearman PT-17 that crashed into Keystone Lake in Oklahoma in August, 2022, after striking a power line, has pleaded guilty to obstructing a National Transportation Safety Board investigation of the…
Jun 22, 2024 Hi there fellow instructors, Leveraging the app known as “What’s App”, we now have a method of communicating with each other that is easy, quick, and an improvement over the forum on our website. We encourage each…
Dawn Gilbertson & Alison Sider, Wall Street Journal, thanks to Frank Wright As the carrier weighs seat assignments and extra-legroom seats, some loyalists worry it will become just another airline Steve Sommer never shops around for flights. The St. Louis…
By ALEXANDRA SKORES, Dallas Morning News, thanks to Frank Wright Experts say activist investor is big player; CEO plans to stay put It's a bold call for a stakeholder to recommend a company clean house of its leadership. On Monday,…
June 14, 2024 The voting for the TWU557 Member-at-Large election closed on June 11th and the results are now official. Although the vote was very close (47-42-40), Greg Daley has been selected by our voting membership as the new Member-at-Large.…
US & BBC news - Thanks to Paul Mathis and Toni Crayton On May 25th, the aviation community was jolted by an unexpected event involving a Boeing 737 Max 8 jet, which encountered a rare and potentially dangerous phenomenon called…
Six months home confinement, $750K fines for three FAA charges June 13, 2024By Jim Moore A Louisiana pilot who admitted in a post-conviction plea deal to defrauding two federal agencies out of disability benefits over several years was sentenced June…
Activist investor Elliott Management took a major stake in the company last week and criticized leadership. Allyson Versprille and Mary Schlangenstein for Bloomberg Wire Southwest Airlines Co.'s chief executive officer is resisting pressure to step down after activist firm Elliott…
From Cranky Flyer, thanks to Frank Wright The news that activist investor Elliott has taken a greater than 10 percent stake in Southwest Airlines has been the talk of the town this week. The more discussions I've had with people…
Christine Boynton June 10, 2024 Credit: Southwest Airlines An activist fund that is now one of Southwest Airlines' largest investors is pushing for new leadership at the Dallas-based carrier's Board and C-suite level, change it deems necessary for the airline…
The election process for the TWU557 Member-at-Large position is underway. The Member-at-Large serves as one of four board members as defined in our by-laws. Ballots for the TWU557 Member-at-Large board position have been mailed to all instructors eligible to vote…
Activist has position of nearly $2 billion, plans to push for changes to boost lagging shares By Lauren Thomas Southwest's share price has plunged by more than half in the past three years. Elliott Investment Management has built a stake…
Christine Boynton May 16, 2024 Credit: Southwest Airlines Nodding to past acquisitions, Southwest Airlines says "never say never" to considering another, though the company has no immediate plans to do so. "We've done acquisitions over our history here at Southwest…
Lori Ranson May 16, 2024 Credit: Boeing Copa Airlines believes it can manage additional delays of Boeing aircraft in 2024 and still maintain its planned capacity growth of 10%. The Panama-based airline now expects to take delivery of nine 737…
Full page ad in today's Dallas Morning News (page 7A). Note: from "The Employees and Retirees of Southwest Airlines"
Dallas Morning News, thanks to Frank Wright September 14, 1944 - May 8, 2024 Colleen Barrett, known as the woman who created the heart and culture of Southwest Airlines Co. passed away Wednesday, May 8,at the age of 79. Colleen…
By ALEXANDRA SKORES, Dallas Morning News, thanks to Frank Wright Defining an airline, Executive's philosophy created unique culture at carrier Southwest Airlines executives (from left) Herb Kelleher, executive chairman, as Gomez Addams; Colleen Barrett, president, as Morticia Addams; and Gary…
May 9, 2024 Media Release DALLAS - Thursday, May 9, 2024: With deep sadness, Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) shares that President Emeritus Colleen Barrett, 79, has passed away, surrounded by loved ones. Colleen passionately guided generations to do the…
thanks to Frank Wright The airline's snaking preboard lines rankle frequent fliers, who believe some passengers are cheating the airline's open seating system. Dawn Gilbertson Wall Street Journal, Call it the Southwest side-eye. At Southwest Airlines gates across the country,…
Christine Boynton May 08, 2024 A rendering of Allegiant's incoming 737 MAX aircraft. Credit: Allegiant Travel Company Boeing delivery delays continue to hamper Allegiant Air, as the ULCC no longer anticipates placing any MAX aircraft into service during the first…
Provided by Simple Flying, thanks to Paul Mathis Boeing delays impact Southwest: reduced pilot hours to avoid furloughs, overstaffing an issue. Southwest now expects less than 25% of its contracted deliveries for 2024. Network reductions are also taking place. Problems…
Leslie Josephs & Phil LeBeau, CNBC, thanks to Frank Wright and Paul Mathis Southwest is weighing changes to boarding and seating. The carrier stands out from other large airlines with its open seating plan. Meanwhile rivals like Delta and United…
Christine Boynton April 25, 2024 Credit: American Airlines Improvement at Boeing starts with producing quality products one at a time off the assembly line, American Airlines CEO Robert Isom says, urging the OEM to get back to the basics -…
By Sharon Terlep, Wall Street Journal, thanks to Frank Wright Aircraft maker has slowed factory to fix quality problems after door-panel blowout The jet maker reported a $355 million loss as revenue fell 8% from a year ago in quarterly…
Aaron Karp April 08, 2024 Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (above) will see three new Frontier routes open in mid-June. Credit: William Volcov/Zuma/Alamy Stock Photo U.S ULCC Frontier Airlines has unveiled a string of new routes to be launched in June…
TWU557 is pleased to announce changes to the Board effective April 1, 2024. Only one candidate for each of the positions of President and Secretary/Treasurer emerged, leading to the following changes: JC Findley moved from Member-at_Large to President replacing previous…
Christine Boynton March 27, 2024 Southwest CCO Ryan Green at Routes Americas 2024 in Bogotá. Credit: Ocean Driven Media BOGOTA - Southwest Airlines is planning for future red-eye flights, an evolution of its existing network model. "We don't have a…
Sean Broderick Christine Boynton March 25, 2024 Credit: United Airlines United Airlines is facing potential operational restrictions from an FAA review of its activities, an enhanced oversight measure prompted by a series of operational incidents. "The number of safety-related events…
Christine Boynton March 12, 2024 Credit: Southwest Airlines Southwest Airlines still sees transitioning away from a single fleet type as cost-prohibitive despite the benefits that could present in lessening its dependence on Boeing, CEO Bob Jordan said at an investor…
Christine Boynton March 01, 2024 United Airlines Boeing 737-10 Credit: Boeing Of the 191 contractual aircraft deliveries originally slated for 2024, United Airlines expects to receive just 88 this year. Following through with expectations announced during the carrier's latest earnings…
Date: February 29, 2024 Subject: The impact of reduced Pilot hiring. Dear fellow Instructors: I suspect that Lee Kinnebrew’s announcement of pilot hiring suspension caught many of us by surprise. Understandably, it has also brought an abundance of questions and…
Christine Boynton January 19, 2024 Credit: Joe Pries JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines will appeal the ruling blocking their merger handed down on Jan. 16. Their intent was announced late in the afternoon on Jan. 19. JetBlue and Spirit said…
Subject: State Of The Union January 16, 2024 Dear fellow TWU 557 members: Following is a review of your Union’s activities and ongoing actions over the past year. Before we address that however, I want to thank you all for…
January 16, 2024 Fellow instructors, Happy New Year to each of you! We hope the coming year will provide you with many opportunities to serve our pilot group, training in various topics and events, and that you will find it…
Sean Broderick January 09, 2024 Credit: NTSB The exit door plug at the center of the Jan. 5 Alaska Airlines accident pivoted up and broke away from the Boeing 737-9 in flight, an NTSB investigator said late Jan. 8, suggesting…
Christine Boynton Sean Broderick Guy Norris Helen Massy-Beresford January 08, 2024 A photo released by NTSB shows the Alaska Airlines 737-9 missing the fuselage plug and window section in the deactivated left-hand mid-emergency door. Credit: NTSB The FAA has ordered…
Southwest is the last major carrier to strike a deal with its pilots union. Alexandra Skores, Dallas Morning News Southwest Airlines pilots have a new agreement on the table, with the carrier becoming the last major airline to land a…
Christine Boynton December 18, 2023 Credit: Stephen M. Keller / Southwest Airlines The settlement agreement for Southwest Airlines' December 2022 operational disruption divides a record $140 million fine levied by the U.S. Transportation Department (DOT) into three parts, allocating more…
By ALEXANDRA SKORES, Dallas Morning News Southwest Airlines flight attendants have rejected a contract agreement with the Dallas-based carrier, a deal that would have ended five years at the bargaining table. The contract would have given more than 20,000 flight…
Christine Boynton December 04, 2023 Credit: Joe Pries Alaska Air Group has agreed to acquire Hawaiian Airlines for $1.9 billion, expanding the fifth largest U.S. airline into a combined organization that plans to maintain both brands. The $18 per share…
By ALEXANDRA SKORES, Dallas Morning News North Texas isn't afraid of taking a step toward the future - just look at the roads running test routes for autonomous trucks, conversations about artificial intelligence in transportation and partnerships being formed surrounding…
Christine Boynton November 14, 2023 Credit: Christine Boynton/Aviation Week Network DUBAI - Ethiopian Airlines has placed an order for up to 67 Boeing aircraft including firm orders for 20 737-8s and 11 787-9s, with plans to more than double its…
By ALEXANDRA SKORES, Dallas Morning News, thanks to Frank Wright Carrier, union hoping to reach an agreement by busy holidays Southwest Airlines and its pilots are working to reach a new contract deal ahead of the busy holiday travel season.…
By Alexandra Skores, Dallas Morning News, thanks to Frank Wright Southwest Airlines' flight attendants union and the Dallas-based carrier have a tentative agreement for a new contract. A membership ratification vote will begin November 15 with TWU Local 556, the…
By Alexandra Skores, Dallas Morning News, thanks to Frank Wright Beer, wine and liquor prices will all be increased beginning Nov. 15. Southwest Airlines is raising prices on beer, wine and liquor ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. The Dallas-based carrier…
By ALEXANDRA SKORE, Dallas Morning News, thanks to Frank Wright Southwest Airlines announced Monday that because of its December operational disruption, it could be subject to fines or penalties from the Department of Transportation. The Department of Transportation told Dallas-based…
Sean Broderick September 19, 2023 Credit: NTSB The FAA has signed off on Boeing's proposed 737 Next Generation nacelle retrofit program, setting an August 2028 deadline for operators to complete the modifications, and giving the company until the end of…
By Alexandra Skores, Dallas Morning News, thanks to Frank Wright Two DFW airline work groups are picketing this week after stalled negotiations have left them without a contract. On Wednesday, American Airlines' flight attendants, represented by the Association of Professional…
David K. Li and Colin Sheeley and Jay Blackman and Donna MendellUpdated Sat, August 19, 2023 at 12:24 AM CDT·2 min read 1.5k A United Airlines pilot "hit his breaking point" and took out his frustrations on a parking lot…
By ALEXANDRA SKORES, Dallas Morning News, thanks to Frank Wright Deal reached with ground workers, Better wages, benefits included in tentative agreement Southwest Airlines and the union representing its ground workers have reached a tentative agreement, proposing wage raises and…
Dallas Morning News, thanks to Frank Wright Boeing, in a news release. "The airlines' feedback will significantly contribute to the X-66A project learnings while furthering aviation sustainability." Hype for a next-generation aircraft has been on hold with both Boeing and…
Forbes Contributor - Noah Barsky, is a professor in executive and graduate business programs at the Villanova University School of Business, who writes about essential business insight in a tech-driven world. Many pundits predicted that Southwest's epic 17,000 cancelled-flight, $825…
Sean Broderick July 20, 2023 Credit: NTSB Boeing has completed redesign work and retrofit instructions on 737 Next Generation nacelles to better protect them from broken fan blades but needs more time to address risks linked to human-factors issues such…
Alan Dron July 18, 2023 Etihad Engineering personnel mark the first Airbus A380's return to the airline's active fleet. Credit: Etihad Engineering Etihad Airways is returning four of its Airbus A380s to service as the carrier seeks to expand its…
Sean Broderick July 12, 2023 Credit: FAA via NTSB A fractured part caused the nose landing gear of a Delta Air Lines Boeing 717 to jam in the retracted position, forcing the crew to land without the gear extended, preliminary…
February 28, 2023 The Quickbase app that allows instructors to bid Monthly Open Time (MOT), Daily Open Time (DOT), and FLEX monthly schedule is now open and available. However, getting to the app seems to be more of a problem…
January 3, 2023 Here’s the official Ballotpoint results of the vote on our Tentative Agreement vote that closed on December 30th, 2022. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dTPirCEP4LeI2k41CzMQowyFMGQRRiNw/view
December 30, 2022 Voting on the Tentative Agreement reached with the company ended at noon today. With 99.1% of the eligible voters participating, the agreement was ratified by a vote of 91-19. That was 82.7% in favor and 17.3% opposed.…
December 16th, 2022 The 2022 Contract ratification vote is now underway. Ballots were emailed at 3:30 pm yesterday, December 15th. If you were hired as an instructor on or before November 30th, 2021, and are a member of TWU557, you…
December 6, 2022 Your TWU557 Board has announced a series of informational meetings beginning Wednesday, December 7th for members to become informed in more detail about the contents of our recent Tentative Contract Agreement. Details are below: Dear Fellow Members:…
December 1, 2022 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1D58D4l6m6jx2Xh4Vg42I2iRg8hrx27pr/view
November 18, 2022 Today, your TWU557 negotiating committee reached an Agreement in Principle with the Company on a new contract. This means the general terms of the contract have been agreed upon pending formal language agreement which will take place…
With the hiring of Robert Vazquez Goretti as a SWA First Officer, Jim Baird assumes the role of TWU557 President and is sworn in by TWU National Representative Jose Galarza on November 5th, 2021. Congratulations Robert! Thank you Jim for stepping up!
During a break in the current contract negotiations, TWU National Representative Jose Galarza presented TWU557 past president and current negotiating committee member Jerry Bradley with a plaque thanking him for his years of service as the TWU557 president.
October 19, 2021 Fellow Flight Crew Training Instructors, Southwest Airlines announced on Monday, October 4, 2021 that it would require all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 since it is a federal contractor. Communications have gone out from leadership regarding…
October 12, 2021 Your TWU557 Board sent the following letter on Oct 11th, 2021 to Gary Kelly regarding the vaccination mandates and proposed alternative means of compliance. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Da8t326Nj_vha-0axbURfGw-ibW1sZZm/view
September 17, 2021 SWA Flight Crew Training Instructors, Here is a copy of the Letter of Agreement between TWU557 and the Company regarding Retention Incentives agreed to in September 2021. LOA_SWA-FCTI_Incentives_17SEP21.pdf
April 1, 2021 Newly elected TWU557 President Robert Vazquez Goretti and TWU557 Secretary/Treasurer Tom Simonds join current TWU Vice President Jim Baird and Member-at-Large Joe Gautille being sworn in by TWU International Representative Jose Galarza. The New Board takes over as…
SWA Flight Crew Training Instructors, Please view the document below for a message from outgoing TWU557 President Captain Jerry Bradley. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SfdUWwqxQLeSXmpIxyzK2SxnwY6LRgyl/view
June 4, 2019 Fellow Instructors Last year TWU 557 conducted a demographic survey of our instructors. At that time the group consisted of 130 instructors. There were over 106 surveys completed. The following data is a synopsis of the total…
May 29, 2019 Fellow Instructors: It’s been an active month for your Board (Jerry Bradley, Mike Lucy, Joe Gautille and me) and Negotiating committee (Teak Biondo, Jeff Yeaton, and Sam Stoterau) as we commenced contract talks with the Company. We’ve…
Howdy fellow instructors: As another month comes to a close, we quickly near the opening of our contract negotiations. As you may recall, we’re scheduled for opening talks with the Company May 21. After three surveys, we’ve attempted to compile…
March 7, 2019 Dear fellow instructors: As of March 2 the nominations for Vice President and Member-at-large officially ended. Only one nomination was received which re-nominated both Joe Gautille (Member-at-Large) and Jim Baird (Vice President). The results of the event…
February 13, 2019 Ladies and Gentlemen: In accordance with Article X, Section 2 of the TWU 557 by-laws, nomination for the offices of Vice President and Executive Board Member At-Large are open for a 15 day period (February 15 –…
February 5, 2019 Fellow Instructors, The Company has formally requested early negotiations in accordance with Section Six of the Railway Labor Act. Captain Carl Kuwitsky, Senior Director of Labor Relations, via email, and in a hand delivered letter, dated February…
January 28, 2019 Dear fellow instructors: As the month of January quickly comes to a close it’s obvious that we’re off to another busy year. Likewise, it’s been a very active and productive month for your TWU 557 board and…
SWA Mourns the Passing of Former CEO Jim Parker EmployeeNews January 27, 2019 at 2:45 PM With heavy hearts, the Southwest Airlines Family mourns the loss of our former Vice Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), James…
From the Wall Street Journal Southwest Airlines Beats Earnings Expectations The carrier says the government shutdown has had a negative sales impact of $10 million to $15 million thus far in January. By Kimberly Chin Jan. 24, 2019 7:46 a.m.…
The high priest of ha ha Obituary: Herb Kelleher died on January 3rdCo-founder and, for 30 years, chairman of Southwest Airlines was 87 UNUSUALLY FOR a man who believed in cutting costs wherever possible, Herb Kelleher, the boss of Southwest…
Herb Kelleher Southwest founder inspired joy and admiration EDITORIALS Herb Kelleher knew no regular hours. He worked around the clock, and he wanted to touch every part of the airline he helped found. He could be seen loading suitcases, stocking…
From Southwest Airlines Employee News Farewell to our Founder EmployeeNews January 3, 2019 at 4:30 PM It is with heavy hearts that we share with you that our Founder, Inspiration, Chairman Emeritus, and Friend, Herb Kelleher has passed away this…
Herb Kelleher moved to Texas in 1962 with plans for a career in law. Instead, his early legal battles on behalf of an upstart airline propelled him to the top of the aviation industry as he led Southwest Airlines in…
Southwest Founder Kelleher Dies Jan 3, 2019Aviation Daily Herbert D. “Herb” Kelleher, who founded Southwest Airlines and began a global low-cost airline revolution, died Jan. 3 aged 87. Dallas-based Southwest issued a statement describing Kelleher as “a pioneer, a maverick…
Herb Kelleher March 12, 1931 ~ January 3, 2019 Herb Kelleher, the fun-loving and wickedly witty Founder, Chairman Emeritus, and former CEO of Dallas-based Southwest Airlines Co., died Thursday, January 3, 2019. He was 87. Herbert David Kelleher was born…
Fellow Instructors, The Website based Trade Give Away Form has been in use for a few days now And it is off to a very good start. Crew Training Scheduling has not reported any real problems and that trades and…
Fellow Instructors, Today at 18:00 when the Official December 2018 Schedule is published, the electronic TWU557.org website form will be available for your use. Please see the pull-down menu above under TRADES / GIVE AWAYS. It contains detailed instructions on…
As many of you have heard, Jim Hilgart, unexpectedly lost his 23-year-old daughter Tabatha. We are all saddened by any family loss but it is additionally painful when losing a child. Tabatha was a multitalented young lady who was both…
Instructors, Welcome to TWU557.org, the Southwest Airlines Flight Crew Training Instructor’s website. This website is currently under development for daily use by Instructors and is being primarily designed for communications between instructors and the TWU 557 Board. In addition, it…