SWA or Alaska?

[RyansDad]

I'm hearing different. My buddy is waiting for a class and he said that the Sep classes aren't confirmed and they may get cancelled. His buddy (who's a check airman) also heard from the PD that this was in anticipation of a "big announcement." And the company is saying that it is in anticipation of a Air Tran merger. (Many SWA execs have been seen in Atlanta recently). So, classes may be a little sketchy for a while.

I'm hoping to get on with Air Tran before any merger since getting stapled to SWA wouldn't be the worst thing.

Calls have already gone out for 2 sept classes so those classes are confirmed. There is rumor of maybe a class in Oct but that one has not been confirmed. Once you get the call you are required to send them a fax of your resignation letter with your CPs fax number on it....These aren't the kind of people that would ask you to quit your current job and then pull the rug out from underneath you..
also i havent heard anything about the company saying anything about a big announcement or an airtran merger nor would i expect to...rumors at best IMO...GoodLuck with your decision

 

[tico]

"Tico - guys like you scare me. Replace our negotiating committee with "hired guns"? Why is it that every airline has pilots who think that there are some laywers out there who can run in to save the day at the table. You want to hire tuff guys who know nothing about your job, but will some how be able to know what you want at the table? Replace our people who have been working on this issue 24/7 for nearly a year with some guy from Johnson & Johnson law firm? Sure that will fix it..."

Who do you go to for a tooth ache or to have your prostate checked.....or to build your house or fix your car......and who do those people go to when they need to go to JNU or DCA.....Only pilots are arrogant enough to believe that they can do it all....I am saying put a lawyer accross the table from a lawyer...Play the game the way the oposition plays it....Don't have the farm team play in the superbowl....Get it...That does not mean that the negotiaters that we have would not be there but they should sit second chair when court is in session.....And I am glad that you git er done...so do I as soon as eveyone else gits er done and the door is closed.......

 

[OK3]

If a merger or acquisition were really in the near future you wouldn't have heard a word about it. When they (SWA Mgt) want to keep a secret, they do.

 

[General Lee]

Does Alaska Air go to Lubbock? If it does NOT, then go to Alaska. (You know I know it doesn't go there. Ah yeah) Seriously, LBB is a sorry town. Fly for Alaska and go see Sitka, AK. It is much prettier and the girls (or girl up there) are cuter.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Embry Ace]

I'm hoping to get on with Air Tran before any merger since getting stapled to SWA wouldn't be the worst thing.

Great idea, make a major career decision based on a merger rumor that your buddy told you. Nice!

 

[AlbieF15]

Great mexican food at a nearby joint with dollar beer, the Buddy Holly museum, and a swimming pool at the Holiday Inn.

I've done LBB a few times. Doesn't suck. Ain't the glamor capital of the world--but then again I've done a few them too. After a while--its just a beer, a steak, and a clean bed. Its knowng your paycheck will clear that helps you sleep at night...

 

[General Lee]

Great mexican food at a nearby joint with dollar beer, the Buddy Holly museum, and a swimming pool at the Holiday Inn.

I've done LBB a few times. Doesn't suck. Ain't the glamor capital of the world--but then again I've done a few them too. After a while--its just a beer, a steak, and a clean bed. Its knowng your paycheck will clear that helps you sleep at night...

That's great and all, but you know that eventually you yourself can bid the MD11 and see the world if you want to. That can't be said at many airlines, having the option that is. And, knowing your paycheck will clear is common at most legacies these days. You should know that, you help people interview at them, right? A boring flight schedule would suk, and you should know that too. And seeing the world on someone else's dime really isn't just a beer, a steak, and a clean bed. It is a smile when you see the name of the city you are going to on the gate. Seeing Paris or Barcellona or Venice just doesn't get old. Now seeing Lubbock, Midland, Amarillo, or Harlingen, that could get old really quick. (especially if it takes 4 or 5 legs to get there first).

But, if it is between SWA and Alaska, I would go to Alaska if you want to live in SEA or PDX, and SWA if you want to live somewhere else. Regardless, you will be flying 737s for the rest of your career it looks like as of now.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[johnsonrod]

Avoid Alaska and go to SWA. If you want international, get your stuff in to Delta - they are hiring 75 per month and many newhires are going directly to the 767ER. Otherwise, go to SWA. Simple as that.

 

[SWA/FO]

go to Alaska!

 

[lumax]

Curious why a SWA guy recommends Alaska instead of SWA????

 

[Baze]

There goes the neighborhood. JenLee & SWA/FO have moved in!

I don't think hyeflyin was asking anyone to make a career decision for him. From what I gathered from his question, he wants to know how long he can expect to sit in the SWA pool.

In any case, good luck to hyeflyin in making the decision.

 

[Rickindfw]

Curious why a SWA guy recommends Alaska instead of SWA????

Because someone who comes here looking for advice about Southwest vs some other airline doesn't really know what Southwest is all about. We want people who really want to be here. Keeping the culture going that has made this airline the best after 35 years.

 

[lumax]

That is about the biggest B.S. thing I've heard. You sound like you are AS management in training. During interviews, AS wants applicants that have only applied to AS. That is why a 737 type rating can hurt your chances. Most of us applied at several airlines before getting our current job.
Yes, SWA has a good culture which is made strong by the good employee/management relations, but I can almost guarantee that most of your pilots also applied at other airlines. It was just SWA that offered the job first.

 

[Going2Baja]

go to Alaska!

Now that says A LOT!!!

 

[Going2Baja]

Because someone who comes here looking for advice about Southwest vs some other airline doesn't really know what Southwest is all about. We want people who really want to be here. Keeping the culture going that has made this airline the best after 35 years.

How does that Koolaid taste??

 

[Charlie Brown]

Good luck Tanker Clown, I hope that Airtran thing works out for you

 

[igneousy2]

Singlecoil - great post and well said. There is a wealth of information from the weekly negotiators note pad for those who care enough and take the time to read it. We see steady progress each week. As long as that continues, then I "get er done". When steady progress stops, then my attitude changes a wee bit. If we end up in mediation someday, it is far better to go there with everything done except pay. This only gives the mediator / company / ALPA one thing to hash out rather than a laundry list. Like it or not, this is the direction the negotiating comitee is taking.
Tico - guys like you scare me. Replace our negotiating committee with "hired guns"? Why is it that every airline has pilots who think that there are some laywers out there who can run in to save the day at the table. You want to hire tuff guys who know nothing about your job, but will some how be able to know what you want at the table? Replace our people who have been working on this issue 24/7 for nearly a year with some guy from Johnson & Johnson law firm? Sure that will fix it...

I disagree with your assesment. When I read the stuff the MEC puts out they do not seem to share your optimism. Bill Ayer has not backed off of his cost-neutral requirement for the contract which is something that seems unacceptable to the line pilots. At least the ones that I talk to.

Sure we'll give you 20 days off a month and make all the reserves into 4 hour call outs but if that's the case then your pay/retirement will need to be XXX to be cost neutral.

I am not at all optimistic that we are anywhere near a settlement.

 

[Rhino]

quality of life?

Get your type rating and go fly for SWA... unless you value living in SoCal and NOT commuting for your career. What value do you put on that? It all depends on you, not the rest of us on this site.

As for Alaska, as a newhire if you want LAX, you will get it. It's a junior base. It's also a co-terminal base, so trips start from Orange Co. too.

You will make more money at SWA.

 

[Tanker Clown]

Good luck Tanker Clown, I hope that Airtran thing works out for you

Thanks CB. I would have tried to get on with Song to avoid the LBB overnights, but General Lee must have black balled me. I hear the new CEO at Delta is going to resurrect Song. I can't wait. Everyone wants in on the low cost market in Atlanta. That's why SWA is going after Air Tran.

I wouldn't discount this Air Tran buy out talk. My buddy knew about the LAS domocile six months prior to the announcement. He's in the know. He said one of the main reasons SWA wants to do this is to increase their debt. I'm not sure what it really means, but he also said slowing down new hires will allow SWA to feed in all the 717 guys into training.

Makes sense to me. Looks like I missed out on a SWA interview for now, so might as well try to get in through the back door (Air Tran).

 

[ferlo]

Because someone who comes here looking for advice about Southwest vs some other airline doesn't really know what Southwest is all about. We want people who really want to be here. Keeping the culture going that has made this airline the best after 35 years.

I just threw up a little bit