Q: Can you explain the calculation of the TFP/Block conversion rate?
We got TFP in our contract from Southwest, which historically used a conversion rate of 1.13 TFP per Block Hour (e.g., 5 TFP = 4:25 Block).
Southwest pilots recently used 1.149 as a conversion rate for their negotiations – likely based on changes to their route structure/average stage length (e.g., 5 TFP = 4:21 Block)
Southwest Flight Attendants used 1.164 as a conversion rate for their most recent negotiations (e.g., 5 TFP = 4:18 Block). We are not sure why there is such a large discrepancy between the rate for Southwest pilots and Flight Attendants, who fly the same flights.
Our conversion rate is based on our route structure/average stage length.and scheduled flight TFP (no MPRs, Sit, etc.) compared to scheduled block time – using a rolling average over a year. The comparison has moved lower over the last several years based on route changes, which is why 1.11 was the conversion for this round of negotiations.