Southwest is buying somebody...or something

[GuppyWN]

PCL. Refresh my memory on why you hate WN so badly?

Gup

 

[400ADude]

I'm firmly convinced that we'll get completely raped if SWA comes after us. The further they stay away, the better. I'd actually prefer AMR over SWA.

You don't need to worry about us. Rape is what your management team does to you guys. I'd worry about your stock price and your companies ability to withstand 115 dollar oil for the next year and a half??

BTW, Hawaii flying is not that profitable.

PS: I think you guys are a good fit with AMR.

 

[Dan Roman]

Flying a 737 to Hawaii is NOT lucrative by any means. I saw it once but forget the actual numbers, but the seat mile costs are a lot higher than a 767's (a lot of fixed costs spread out over 100 pax compared to 250). Alaska's ANC to Hawaii service IS very lucrative though (last I heard it was $1000 bucks RT). The rest of their service may be good for frequent flyers and their marketing, but they don't make money with it.

 

[PCL_128]

PCL. Refresh my memory on why you hate WN so badly?

Gup

I don't "hate" WN, it's just not a place I've ever wanted to work, and I don't think we'd do well in an acquisition situation.

 

[shagadelic]

So, let me get this straight, PCl. You are a copilot on a 717. You could get stapled to the very bottom of our list, and within a year be making more than you make now. Within 5 years, making more than most Captains at Airtran as an FO. Earning a 7.3 percent 401k match with profit sharing running 5 to 10 percent a year, at a company that has not lost money for the year in 30 years and has 3 billion dollars in cash in the bank with the strongest balance sheet in the passenger carrying industry. And that's what happens to you if you are stapled at the VERY bottom.

You're right, what a screw job.

BTW, the feeling is mutual. We don't want a bunch of pilots who didn't want to be here in the first place. I am very happy Gary Kelly has backed off his merger talk.

 

[GuppyWN]

Well I hope you're right! LOL Just kidding.... Sorta.

But I have a feeling you'd get a more fair shake at WN than your ofher two choices.

Bottom line. The only thing worse than merging with anyone is chapter 7.

Gup

 

[Quimby]

I'm firmly convinced that we'll get completely raped if SWA comes after us. The further they stay away, the better. I'd actually prefer AMR over SWA.

be careful what ya wish for...

 

[Lear70]

be careful what ya wish for...

No sh*t...

I'm going to smack you silly, boy... talking about merging with AMR...

You need a reasonable suspicion drug test.



Seriously, I'd love SWA pay, but you guys work too dang hard. I'm all about doing 3 legs, going to the hotel for 16-18 hours in a nice place, having a nice dinner, getting up and working out, having a nice breakfast, then go do 3 legs again, for about 4 days, then go home for 4 or 5. 18 days off a month crediting 80 hours. Don't see many lines like that when my SWA buddy is showing me the pairings.

 

[PCL_128]

Seriously, I'd love SWA pay, but you guys work too dang hard. I'm all about doing 3 legs, going to the hotel for 16-18 hours in a nice place, having a nice dinner, getting up and working out, having a nice breakfast, then go do 3 legs again, for about 4 days, then go home for 4 or 5. 18 days off a month crediting 80 hours. Don't see many lines like that when my SWA buddy is showing me the pairings.

Exactly! It's not always about the money, guys. I simply don't want to work that hard. I have a very leisurely schedule now, even as a somewhat junior copilot. I have no desire to lose that just for some more money. QOL and easy work are far more important to me.

 

[Quimby]

flying 4-5 legs a day isn't working hard.........digging ditches or being a roofer in PHX in July is working hard.

I know there's plenty of AT trips that fly 4-5 legs/day.....just as much as there's SWA trips flying 6/day or 2 legs a day.

 

[PCL_128]

flying 4-5 legs a day isn't working hard

Compared to my current schedule, not only is it hard, it's damned near torture.

I know there's plenty of AT trips that fly 4-5 legs/day.....just as much as there's SWA trips flying 6/day or 2 legs a day.

Not really. There is a tiny portion of the trips that will have one 5-leg day during a trip, but most trips max out at 4 legs a day, with it being pretty easy to avoid trips with more than 3 legs a day. As for six legs a day, I've never seen such a thing here. That's frickin' RJ flying. Are you guys actually flying 6 legs in a day?

 

[waveflyer]

yeah- guys who hate southwest boggle me... Seriously- do you really think everyone there is so happy b/c theyre all delusional?
have you seen the average schedule- their so efficient it's ridiculous... i'd rather work hard and rest in the hotel and at home. If you're going to make me come into work- let me work. Let me make us both money.

 

[Tejas-Jet]

My next trip has 3 legs on day 1....2 legs on day 2...and 3 legs on day 3....

Not hard work at all

 

[PCL_128]

have you seen the average schedule- their so efficient it's ridiculous... i'd rather work hard and rest in the hotel and at home. If you're going to make me come into work- let me work. Let me make us both money.

Not everyone agrees. I prefer a nice relaxed schedule with 1-3 legs a day and 40+ minute turns with long layovers. That is, if I'm even doing regular trips. I prefer stand-up lines, and SWA doesn't even do those. Not "efficient" enough for them.

 

[waveflyer]

hmmm- i don't really care to change your mind on that. That's just preference- there are so many things that WN does to keep fatigue down while keeping productivity high- that i really like it. Keeping the sleep schedule consistent is one. To me- every hour i'm on the ground- is an hour i'm not getting paid for, but required to be there- I don't see the argument for wanting that. But that's just me.
But what glares out to me- and reading what you tend to write- The thing i don't like about the union mentality is when words like "efficient" become bad words instead of integral to the economy.