Southwest Airlines Pilots: Leaders in the Aviation Industry

Southwest Airlines Pilots’ Association (SWAPA) is the sole bargaining unit for the more than 6,300 pilots of Southwest Airlines. Southwest pilots are leaders in aviation industry productivity and are the world’s leading experts on flying the Boeing-737.  Southwest Airlines operates a growing fleet of the 737-300, 737-500, 737-700 and 737-800.

SWAPA is in its 34th year of service to the pilots of Southwest Airlines. Prior to the union’s beginnings in 1978, pilots worked cooperatively with the Company to compile work rules for safe, efficient operations. That cooperative spirit has continued through the negotiation of eight labor contracts.

President Richardson in D.C.

John Boehner, Speaker of the House		Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS)
Mark Richardson made his first trip to the nation's capital as the President of SWAPA. He met with several high-ranking Members of the House and Senate to lay out SWAPA's vision and concerns for a troubled and consolidated Airline industry. While in D.C., Capt. Richardson discussed issues ranging from lowering the tax and regulatory burden on airlines to modernizing the air traffic control system.  He also discussed fuel costs, emission trading schemes, cabotage, and pilot concerns with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.