AirTran Airways MEC authorizes Strike Vote!

[GuppyWN]

Gup, here are some numbers for you.

Airtran Airways has 1624 pilots on the seniority list (Jan 1, 2010 list). Of those pilots, only 133 pilots were hired prior to July 10, 1997, the day of the Airtran-ValuJet merger announcement. Also, out of the 1624 pilots, 1125 were hired since 9/11.

Just so you know - I'm GREAT with DOH! :laugh: But I'm still looking out for #5895.

Thanks for the numbers.

Gup

 

[MINIME]

It would only be a staple if the ATN MEC/pilot group agree to it PRIOR to signing on the dotted line. Otherwise, either both groups agree to an equitable intergration, or, a mediator would be glad to do it for them. It's that simple. Could get ugly in the second scenerio.

That's of course assuming that SWA purchases at least 50% of the FL assets. Less than 50% and all bets are off. Less than 50% of FL assets isn't worth much to many I don't think. Including a lil company named Boeing. I'm sure they'd have a little interest in this hitching.

 

[dicko]

You know the really sad part, if Southwest bought AirTran, and I got stapled to the list as an FO, I would get a pay raise. And I'm a nine year captain.

In that case you need a first grade math lesson. Or you don't work at AAI.

 

[PCL_128]

That's of course assuming that SWA purchases at least 50% of the FL assets. Less than 50% and all bets are off.

No, all bets are not off. Our contract has asset sale protections beginning at 30%.

 

[no1pilot2000]

And I thought the healthcare debate in DC was crazy. Why doesn't SWA just buy Air Tran and get it overwith!?

 

[dicko]

No, all bets are not off. Our contract has asset sale protections beginning at 30%.

30.0 % would be approximately 82.0 % of AAI's 737-700. I'm sure it's not that simple, but I'm just saying.

Pilot math ... I admit.

 

[PCL_128]

30.0 % would be approximately 82.0 % of AAI's 737-700. I'm sure it's not that simple, but I'm just saying.

Pilot math ... I admit.

This is an incredibly profitable company. Nobody is going to sell it off piecemeal. AirTran is worth far more than the sum of its parts.

I don't think SWA is even the slightest bit interested in purchasing all or portions of AirTran, anyway. Everyone at this company that is praying for some white knight to come save us is dreaming. We'll have to fight and improve this place all on our own. No merger is going to save us.

 

[GuppyWN]

PCL,

Since I'm already 2 posts in on this thread I might as well be "all in."

Mind explaining WHY a company has to be broke to be sold? A profitable company and profitable company could make a profitable powerhouse.

Look at the route maps and you'll see very little overlap.

I'm just sayin' cause it's gonna happen. It's just a matter of time.

Gup

 

[maxblast72]

This is an incredibly profitable company. Nobody is going to sell it off piecemeal. AirTran is worth far more than the sum of its parts.

The 10 or so analysts that project Airtran earnings are currently averaging a $85 million net profit in 2010 and a $100 million profit for Airtran in 2011 (with an implication of a healthy 6-8% operating margin to obtain these results).

Barring Israel and Iran igniting another Gulf War causing Jet A going back up to $4/gallon, I think Airtran will be just fine on their own. Even if Jet A does spike, Airtran has a decent fuel hedge portfolio currently with about 45% of 2010 fuel hedged with protections starting when oil goes above $75 or so. This hedge portfolio would give Airtran alot more time to react to higher energy costs than Airtran had back in 2008.

 

[PCL_128]

Mind explaining WHY a company has to be broke to be sold? A profitable company and profitable company could make a profitable powerhouse.

I agree, but I don't think your management is at all interested in such a merger. SWA management wants to be in control, and when you purchase a very profitable company, you lose a measure of control. We would put up one hell of a fight for the seniority integration, and you can bet that members of our management team would put up one hell of a fight to hold on to their cushy jobs, too.

I'm just sayin' cause it's gonna happen. It's just a matter of time.

I don't buy it.