Summer is in full swing, and SWAPA business is likely the last thing on your mind. But I wanted to give you a sneak preview of some topics that you’re not used to seeing on our channels. Some color and context will help when you come across these topics in the coming months, so let’s answer the question in the title of this article.

 

August — Fiscal Festival

We have several personal finance touches from Contract 2020 that are in play and worth re-examining. From how the Market-Based Cash Balance Plan affects where and when your retirement dollars flow to the nonqualified plans still available to you, the goal will be that everyone finishes August feeling fully informed about how their 401(k) works. The entire 401(k) Committee is chipping in here, putting together an audio-visual presentation that will serve as your one-stop-shop to getting educated on all things related to your retirement.

 

There has also been continuous chop in the airline industry during 2025, and it’s time to level-set the discussions with our resident experts from the Economic & Financial Analysis Committee and 2nd Vice President Hank Ketchum. Communications Committee member Tony Mulhare and I will sit down with them for an extended podcast to cover what’s happening in the airline business and take a closer look at Southwest Airlines’ performance following the implementation of several new business initiatives.

 

September — All About Governance

When we say governance at SWAPA, we’re referring to the business of your Board of Directors. And while a lot of their time is spent representing you, they also have special projects that have a direct impact on the membership. You’ve seen some comm about a special committee that has been charged with modernizing your SWAPA Constitution, a document that is probably less familiar to you than the CBA but just as important. But why should you care? This special committee will answer that question as well as others about these proposed changes.

 

We will also hear from some outgoing Board members on why this upcoming election is so important. Spoiler alert: The domicile reps elected this fall will serve as your voice to form the outline of what our next Contract platform will look like. This year’s outgoing reps have seen a lot in their four years on the Board, and I’m betting there’s someone reading this right now who will be compelled to serve after hearing what they have to say. After all, you are SWAPA. 

 

Along with governance comes our responsibility to manage your dues money and the cost of doing our business. Hank will return, along with SWAPA Director of Finance Nia Williams, to tell you about how that’s going and what you will be voting on with the 2026 budget.

 

October — The Benefit of Benefits

We’re over a year and a half into the new plans that came with Contract 2020, and we’re on the doorstep of open enrollment for 2026. Maybe you feel completely informed about the options on the table when it comes to your disability plans, but we have some stories to share that might make you consider changing your mind. Brent Weisner and Tony Caparella from the Aeromedical & Benefits Committee will stop by the podcast studio to give us the rundown so that you are confident in your decision to keep or change your plan.

 

That’s all for now. Thanks for keeping up with everything we’ve been putting out across the comm network. We’ve thrown a lot at you, and if there’s any way to do it better, we’re all ears. Drop us a line at comm@swapa.org.

 

Fly safe. Fly informed.