“With Southwest Airlines’ acquisition of AirTran, our pilots are facing a significant change in the Company that will result in a monumental change in their careers. The next two years are pivotal for the Southwest pilots, and I am ready to work on their behalf.” Captain Chase is currently amid a two-year term as a SWAPA board member representing Dallas pilots. His previous service to SWAPA includes four years as a Dallas representative (2005-2008) and he also served on the Association’s Financial Oversight Committee in 2007.  

In addition, First Officer Jason Pettit was elected to serve as 2nd Vice President for the same two year term. Pettit is Dallas-based and will serve the pilot group full-time managing the Union budget, elections and other executive tasks. Southwest Airlines Pilots’ Association (SWAPA) is the sole bargaining unit for the more than 5,900 pilots of Southwest Airlines. Southwest pilots are leaders in aviation industry productivity and are the world’s leading experts on flying the Boeing-737, the only aircraft type at the Company. 

SWAPA celebrated 30 years of service on March 27, 2008. 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.