Leave Airtran for United??

[PCL_128]

You sound like your set on the pay rates!

I voted NO, little man. And I'll vote NO again if the payrates aren't DAL+1%. Just because I like my job doesn't mean that I'll roll over on a contract.

 

[curious_george]

appreciate all the opinions..
its a hard choice.
I'm single. and have never commuted.. and don't plan to.
i moved to Atlanta for AT and would move to where I'm based at UAL too, probably Denver.
Just would be nice to have that crystal ball. See what the future holds for either place.
Be it status quo, or up or down. IF i was a capt. at AT, i wouldn't leave. but as a 737 fo who plans on waiting to upgrade in 737 (prefer longer legs, transcons, and don't want to go thru 717 training just to bid out at 1st opportunity) its a different story. i also miss the world wide non rev benefits of my last airline.
But giving up close to 25% relative seniority to be on the bottom of UAL is a big gamble. They aren't growing, no aircraft on order and looking to merge. i wonder how they are hiring 400 or so pilots in 2008 as it is.
Its a crazy industry, years ago it would have no brainier. now i simply don't know.
thanks for all the replys though.

 

[DougsRule]

If I could have some constructive input here... i.e. not flaming. But, why is everyone so down on AAI?

Be constructive now...

DougsRule.....

 

[TV9Driver]

The problem with AAI right now is that we are in the midst of a contract negotiation that has been going on for 3 years. This has caused alot of problems, morale, management vs employees, etc... This actually isn't a bad place to be when everyone is on the same page. Hopefully, we'll get all of this settled this summer and we can be on our way.

 

[MINIME]

If you really like UAL because of bases, pay, QOL, or just name recognition, I'd suggest you follow those feelings. I don't think you'll be better off at one over the other. It might be a similar outcome. AAI is not immune to megers, far from it.

Once a pair of airlines hitch, I believe most will follow. Plus, 3 years in negotiations for a contract, with a percieved low ball proposal inbetween, has to make you wonder about their management's committment to their employees. I've no doubt that UAL will get a better contract in a more timely fashion. Not because management is any better, but because I believe you have a more militant pilot group at UAL.

If they merge with CAL, it'll create an opportunity for the pilots to negotiate some improvements to their contracts as it happens. After that, you'll have the weight of the CAL MEC and UAL MEC to try and negotiate a good contract for the combined group. Remember, AAI may not be the buyer in a merger. It could very well be the buyee. So the outcome for you could be similar. But at least you'll never wonder what if.....

 

[freightdogfred]

I've no doubt that UAL will get a better contract in a more timely fashion. Not because management is any better, but because I believe you have a more militant pilot group at UAL.

If they merge with CAL, it'll create an opportunity for the pilots to negotiate some improvements to their contracts as it happens. After that, you'll have the weight of the CAL MEC and UAL MEC to try and negotiate a good contract for the combined group.

I see people on this board getting down on Airtran for having scabs working there, but I'd venture to say that if these two merge that new airline would have more scabs on their list than FL has total pilots.

 

[PCL_128]

I see people on this board getting down on Airtran for having scabs working there, but I'd venture to say that if these two merge that new airline would have more scabs on their list than FL has total pilots.

That's a near certainty.

 

[Yuppyguppy]

yep...and they know their place and are put in it on a daily basis....unlike FL where they are in a position of real power.

 

[PCL_128]

yep...and they know their place and are put in it on a daily basis....unlike FL where they are in a position of real power.

You can spin it any way you like, but the fact remains that we only have about 20 of them on the line, while both UAL and CAL have hundreds. Between both airlines, nearly 3,000 SCABs crossed the line. Hundreds of them remain. So it's pretty ridiculous to be criticizing this airline on that basis.

 

[StopNTSing]

If that happens, then I will be trying for United. Otherwise, I'm quite happy where I am.

Are you for real? (and I'm not trying to yank your chain here, but...) ARE YOU HONESTLY FOR REAL? So SWA buys AirTran tomorrow (not that I believe it will ever happen, but I'm just trying to understand your position) and you would bail to UAL? What would prompt such a move, is it:

1) The pay raise
2) The eight new bases to choose from
3) The better work rules
4) The better schedules (What's a red-eye flight?)
5) The kinder & gentler training dept


Well, maybe it's seniority integration worries (oh that's right, Congress just said put away the stapler, boys), or maybe it's the lack of wide-bodies (oh that's right, AT doesn't have 'em), or the domestic-only flying (oh yeah, that's all AT does currently). Oh! Oh! Oh! I know....you'd be working for one of those scum-sucking non-ALPA carriers! (oh, that's right....never mind)

I know you and ALPA go way back, and that probably means you have an out-sized disdain for SWA, but I really think you're blowing smoke with that statement. Either that or you'd be willing to make a highly-principled choice about your career that would be as ill-advised as your choice for President.