Southwest Airlines Pilots Association

The Union representing the Pilots of Southwest Airlines.

[Southwest Airlines Pilots Association @swapapilots]

“[They] had no intention of becoming heroes; they were ordinary men who just wanted to work. But they met the challenge and paid the price.” - George E. Hopkins, Flying the Line, Vol. I, p.77

On this day in 1934, Long & Harmon Pilots struck after the company refused to pay the higher wages Decision 83 required. The strikers were fired and replaced by scabs. Thanks to ALPA President David Behncke, the Post Office threatened to cancel the company's airmail contracts forcing them to ultimately sell its routes to Braniff.

[Southwest Airlines Pilots Association @swapapilots]

365 days of thinking about your schedule sounds about right.
Listen to the latest SWAPA Number podcast to get the break down on Contract 2020 scheduling changes, what's working, what's evolving, and what could be next for Contract 2029.
https://t.co/Fpc39BBW2V

[Southwest Airlines Pilots Association @swapapilots]

Contract 2029 Retirement & Expenses poll is open.
Check your inbox for an email from [email protected]. No luck? Check spam or junk, or use the QR code on the C2029 Education page.
https://t.co/76lxQf1lYL

[Southwest Airlines Pilots Association @swapapilots]

Southwest's Pilots' retirement structure evolved over time, from profit sharing to a combination of fixed and variable benefits. See how we got here and what the fixed benefit amount means in 2026. Follow-on polling opens Monday.
https://t.co/xsLH2nMba6

[Southwest Airlines Pilots Association @swapapilots]

The Side Letter 4 poll closes today. Take a moment to make sure your voice is included.

[Southwest Airlines Pilots Association @swapapilots]

ELITT has been looking very red lately. But before we blame the red-eyes, there’s more behind the numbers. Vacation overlap and training pulls are the biggest drivers. Get the full breakdown of what’s really going on here: https://t.co/AppzGi5YC9

[Southwest Airlines Pilots Association @swapapilots]

Still not sure why qualified and non-qualified plans exist?
Think of it this way: Qualified plans come first. Once federal limits are reached, non-qualified plans provide another option for eligible compensation.
Learn more, then be ready to share your thoughts for C2029 on Monday.
Qualified plans: https://t.co/sabrIN2z8m
Non-qualified plans: https://t.co/snJTIhU5cT

[Southwest Airlines Pilots Association @swapapilots]

A DAL Round-Up, new Contract AI functionality, and BlackRock benchmark changes all coming soon. Plus a new video and podcast for Retirement & Expenses education and false legalities information all in this week's Snapshot.
https://t.co/esyccumU0q

[Southwest Airlines Pilots Association @swapapilots]

Still trying to make sense of all the retirement terms?
402(g), 415(c), MBCBP ... We broke down the basics and what each retirement account is designed to do. Because who has time for more acronyms?
Read the full article: https://t.co/zUrGDuSjzk

[Southwest Airlines Pilots Association @swapapilots]

Check out the latest Contract 2029 SEP podcast covering Retirement & Expenses education, then get ready to make your voice heard when polling opens August 31.
https://t.co/KdO4ZaAYDV

[Southwest Airlines Pilots Association @swapapilots]

Don’t let the title fool you. “Start Here” means exactly that. The first Retirement & Expenses article kicks off the cycle and points you to the must-reads that follow.
https://t.co/oIm2nJ7bTG

[Southwest Airlines Pilots Association @swapapilots]

October Vacancy Closes Tomorrow
Stop scrolling! Have you submitted your October vacancy bid? It closes tomorrow. Get your bid in before the deadline. Future You will thank you.

[Southwest Airlines Pilots Association @swapapilots]

Let's be honest, being a Pilot comes with a little turbulence.

Stress is a part of life, but knowing the signs and how to manage it can make a difference. Watch for ongoing fatigue, trouble sleeping, irritability, anxiety, or difficulty concentrating. Prioritize sleep and exercise, stay connected, make time to recharge, and take things one step at a time.

Most importantly, know when to ask for help. LIFT is available at 855-737-5438 to connect you with resources and support.

[Southwest Airlines Pilots Association @swapapilots]

Make sure you have the latest version of the Annotated Contract, dated August 7, 2026. Use this link to download the most updated version.
https://t.co/23dXY8qMXk

[Southwest Airlines Pilots Association @swapapilots]

Consider this your friendly reminder that the October vacancy opens today so make sure to get your bids submitted by August 24.

[Southwest Airlines Pilots Association @swapapilots]

This week's Snapshot covers lots of upcoming deadlines including the next round of SEP education, October vacancy, and more. Some affect your schedule or pay, but all are worth a read.
https://t.co/5nItcaAe9a

[Southwest Airlines Pilots Association @swapapilots]

The luggage dispute has been unpacked. SWAPA and the Company have reached a settlement confirming Pilots can use their uniform accounts to purchase TravelPro luggage through the Southwest Airlines Pilot Program portal starting September 1.
Learn more: https://t.co/mZODet9yfX

[Southwest Airlines Pilots Association @swapapilots]

Contract Admin is currently experiencing extremely high call and case volumes. As a result, response times may be longer than usual. Please wait until your board shows “Audit Complete” before requesting a payroll audit and avoid sending multiple messages about the same issue.

[Southwest Airlines Pilots Association @swapapilots]

What matters gets done. The question is whether that same urgency applies to the issues that matter to Pilots. In his latest message, Vice President Kevin Hornburg examines executive compensation, Company priorities, and the recurring Pilot issues still awaiting resolution.

Read the full message here: https://t.co/7oHglS5dzg

[Southwest Airlines Pilots Association @swapapilots]

Retirement & Expenses are on deck. We've got you covered with content breaking down how the Market-Based Cash Balance Plan (MBCBP) works, various reimbursable expenses, and how our compensation and retirement benefits stack up against the industry.

Stay tuned for more education coming in the following week and be ready to weigh in when polling starts on August 31.
https://t.co/x4vfiP1Oe2