AirTran to Sell two more planes; tougher union talks ahead?

[B737 Guy]

You sound like a scared little ************************* 73 Guy. You think I give a $hit about hanging on to a job that pays so poorly. Sorry, have a little more self respect than that. Been down the furlough road numerous times, and I'll do it again before I cave in on a joke of a TA. This job, which used to be a career, is just not worth it. But it doesn't mean we souldn't fight to improve the industry. How bout you, just happy to have a number, right?

Man are you angry. No wonder you can't keep a job.

 

[Eagle757shark]

Man are you angry. No wonder you can't keep a job.

B737 Guy, he lost his jobs because he was furloughed not because he is angry. I too have been furloughed many times. It is the cost of being an airline pilot. Life goes on. Even during tough times I was able to pick up and move on. I'm thankful to have this job, but I don't live in fear, worked to hard to live that way. It amazes me that in this business we have amendable contracts and the RLA allows us to carryon with open contracts and doesn't have some checks and balances to hold managements accountable. It is a shame there are people that live their lives totally in fear and allow people to bully them into making decisions based off fear. Sweetheart, the millions of dollars this pilot group has saved this airline over the last seven years should not be rewarded with dragging of feet in negotiations. Don't be fooled, AirTran is a successful business because of the hard working, dedicated, do whatever it takes to get the job done employees!

 

[B737 Guy]

B737 Guy, he lost his jobs because he was furloughed not because he is angry. I too have been furloughed many times. It is the cost of being an airline pilot. Life goes on. Even during tough times I was able to pick up and move on. I'm thankful to have this job, but I don't live in fear, worked to hard to live that way. It amazes me that in this business we have amendable contracts and the RLA allows us to carryon with open contracts and doesn't have some checks and balances to hold managements accountable. It is a shame there are people that live their lives totally in fear and allow people to bully them into making decisions based off fear. Sweetheart, the millions of dollars this pilot group has saved this airline over the last seven years should not be rewarded with dragging of feet in negotiations. Don't be fooled, AirTran is a successful business because of the hard working, dedicated, do whatever it takes to get the job done employees!

Thanks for the well thought out response. I see your point.

 

[Ty Webb]

Tough talk!

Then you might just be out of a job.

Tough talk for one who just came out of bankruptcy . . .

Why don't you worry about your own side of the airport?

 

[WabiSabi]

I'm well aware of the economics! Our contract has been amendable for several years now. If the airline needs to adjust their delivery schedule or sell airplanes, more power to them. If it helps AirTran's bottom line, I don't have an issue with it. But the pilot contract is another animal. Don't get on this board and be a fool to make us think that we need to start thinking about concessions because of the economy. Whatever happens, negotiations need to be done behind closed doors between the negotiators on both sides, NOT IN THE MEDIA! We have a business and there is a cost to doing business. If you are selling out your flights, that tells me you didn't charge enough for the tickets....bottom line increase your yield! I would rather see 60% load factors and AirTran earning good profits, then 90% load factors and AirTran barely making a profit. Now that it is the job of the executives to figure out the medium to make it work, that is what they are paid for. But not off the backs of labor.

Oh by the way, everywhere in america cost are going up. At the grocery store milk, bread, fruit are going up because of the cost of fuel. The grocery stores are passing that cost off to the consumer. So are the gas stations. Bottom line.....airlines have to do it as well.

I'm not at Air Tran but, well said! Your thinking should apply to the whole industry. Unfortunately, fat chance!

 

[DCitrus9]

Nice posturing Bob, but my costs have gone up too, and I will not settle for anything but improvements. Regarding fuel prices: PILOTS DON'T CHIP IN FOR GAS!!

 

[RIDETHELIGHTING]

Man are you angry. No wonder you can't keep a job.

Thats funny.

 

[Frequency]

Looks like I will be voting NO again. But I will do it for as long as it takes to get a fair agreement.

 

[Hair-on-Fire]

Go take a look at Airtran.com and try to book a few flights. Yeah, we may offer a few $29 tickets between ATL-SAV, but alot of tickets are going for $200, $300, and even $500 for some business class one-ways. Who would have ever guessed Airtran would charging $1000 roundtrip for some of their flights?

Our argument should be we are the second hardest pilot group out there and we have been profitable for 8 years straight, where is our share? Not quit selling $29 dollar tickets.

You been doing surveys on your layovers? And who (dare I ask) is the "hardest"?

 

[DonVerita]

Yeah, we may offer a few $29 tickets between ATL-SAV...

Our arguement should be we are the second hardest pilot group out there and we have been profitable for 8 years straight, where is our share? Not quit selling $29 dollar tickets.

It was more than ATL-SAV. How about ICT-SJU for....$99. Ridiculous!

Meanwhile, I've got to stay in some $hitbag hotel while this company made $50+ Million in NET profit last year.

Listen up management...you are long overdue to start taking care of the employees who made your profits possible. Oh wait...that would be the SWA management philosophy.

AirTran Management = Fear, Intimidation, Zero Accountability, Piss poor decision making, Total lack of quality control.

Did I leave anything out? Yeah...they've got my vote of NO CONFIDENCE all the way. See you on the picket line pal.

 

[airline#5]

The "hardest" eh? That's really gross. But hey, to each their own.

You didn't think you could actually say that without someone turning it around, did ya?

 

[B737 Guy]

Tough talk for one who just came out of bankruptcy . . .

Why don't you worry about your own side of the airport?

Jeez you air tran guys are angry. Lemme see, didn't your company used to be called, value jet? Get over yourself tough guy.

 

[jimcav]

Jeez you air tran guys are angry. Lemme see, didn't your company used to be called, value jet? Get over yourself tough guy.

Yeah, and how long you been at Delta? A month and a half? Get over yourself.

 

[tubelcane]

How many accidents has Delta had? Don't be throwing stones chief.

 

[FDJ2]

Good luck in your negotiations. It can be a long and frustrating process. Lots of ups and downs along the way.