Stay and the new UAL or go to SWA?

[bizicmo]

depends on what kind of bird is in the hand and what kind of bird is in the bush. If they are the same bird or bird of relatively close value i would agree. But maybe the birds in the bush have so much more value then the bird in the hand it would be worth going after them.

 

[pilotgolfer]

depends on what kind of bird is in the hand and what kind of bird is in the bush. If they are the same bird or bird of relatively close value i would agree. But maybe the birds in the bush have so much more value then the bird in the hand it would be worth going after them.

And the bush at SWA is much better lucking than the bush at UAL.

 

[AirMorgan]

Ordinarily, I'd advise anyone in your position to leave UAL for SWA. But in this instance, I'd stay because UAL is now being run by CAL management...and that right there is a huge plus over the old UAL.

I have a friend who was at Fed Ex and left for DAL (when DAL was "all that"). Looking back now...he regrets it. Don't leave CAL because you never know what's going to happen. 10% of the list below you is nothing to scoff at (especially at a huge airline). I think you'd do much better to stay.

 

[xjhawk]

Why do you believe this, given the recent history? When given the chance for organic growth SWA declined in favor of an acquisition.

Airtran had a lot to offer in respect to what they owned on the east coast. You just cannot create that with slow organic growth. They needed the gates and all that came with them. Not to mention with the exception of one crusty old guy who was bitter that the "junior" guys who have only been their ten years were selling out the retirement of the senior guys, they are a great bunch of pilots. There will be bumps down the road but when you combine two good groups of pilots I do not see how they could screw it up and make a US airways out of it. By the way, the two companys in question (SW and United), I would be honored to work at either one of them.

 

[GuppyWN]

Why do you believe this, given the recent history? When given the chance for organic growth SWA declined in favor of an acquisition.

Once we tap the international cherry Gary will not be able to stop. That plus the "way" we would fly into Atlanta with connections out the wazzu.

We'll be fine here. We just have to get this crap behind us.

Gup

 

[IAHERJ]

What do you mean by "once we tap the international cherry"? Do you think you are going to be some sort of international powerhouse? Out of what hubs. International is a whole different animal and favors the network carriers hub and spoke route systems. AirTran's international flying is not even considered international at AA/CAL/UAL/DAL for crew purposes and cabin service standards. I'm curious why some SWA pilots seem to think that they are suddenly going to go international and kick some ass. It just isn't going to happen unless we are talking about flights to Cancun and Belize or something. You guys tout your RNAV/RNP stuff but we've been doing that for a decade at CAL and AA etc to South American cities like Quito and we're good to RNP values of .15. I think you need a reality check my friend. SWA is one hell of an airline and they are going to become even stronger with the addition of AAI. AirTran has been doing all the right things for over a decade and will add significant value to your airline. That being said, I welcome the competition you think you are going to bring to the international arena.

 

[jonjuan]

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

Joe Scarborough will clear this up...

http://www.pakistan.tv/videos-is-bush-an-idiot-[whhbPVrb5KM].cfm

 

[GuppyWN]

What do you mean by "once we tap the international cherry"? Do you think you are going to be some sort of international powerhouse?

Well....... yes I do! Except for guam. you can have that.

Gup

 

[IAHERJ]

Ever been to Guam Gup?

 

[GuppyWN]

Ever been to Guam Gup?

Negative but I've heard it has 100% humidity, snakes and it doesn't have Mirror Pond Pale Ale.

I'm out.

Gup

 

[IAHERJ]

Negative but I've heard it has 100% humidity, snakes and it doesn't have Mirror Pond Pale Ale.

I'm out.

Gup

It is humid. The snakes are questionable. I need to look up Mirror Pond Pale Ale. I think I'd like it... My place in IAH is next to a huge Spec's Liquor so I'll check it out tomorrow....

 

[GuppyWN]

You'll like it........ a lot.

Anything from Deschutes. Budweiser is plant water.

Gup

 

[Superpilot92]

the time to have gone to SWA was 10 years ago, now you're at the tail end of a huge boom in growth. Sure there's more growth potential but nothing compared to over the last 10 years. Stay at United, retirements and growth potential with the RJ bubble bursting things could be really good with UAL in the next few years as retirements begin.

 

[Boxboy]

I really like SWA and admire their business model. But man, the arrogance..... You guys sound like some of the old United pilots during the booming years.
BTW, I'd stay put at Unicon.

 

[thruthemurk]

I really like SWA and admire their business model. But man, the arrogance..... You guys sound like some of the old United pilots during the booming years.
BTW, I'd stay put at Unicon.

Going to SWA now is like going to United in 2000 or buying Xerox when it hit 100. Its a long way down.

 

[BE200drvr]

I really like SWA and admire their business model. But man, the arrogance..... You guys sound like some of the old United pilots during the booming years.
BTW, I'd stay put at Unicon.

Yeah I agree. The arrogant attitude doesn't represent the whole at swa. from what I've seen anyway. I wish these guys would stop, however. The arrogant guys make swa look bad. I should point out that they don't make any of the business decisions, but they try to take credit for it or even put people down.

The thing that greatly disgusts me about the airline business is that the business decisions in the front office can adversely affect so many families. I think what Tilton did at United and how he recked so many households. I am glad for the UAL people that he is gone.

UAL has a lot of potential.

 

[California]

with about 500-700 retirements a year at the new UAL ....you might want to think twice.

My Math,

UAL/CAL retirements


2012 32
2013 399
2014 419
2015 382
2016 371
2017 431
2018 413
2019 424
2020 427

Anyone have Airtran numbers?

 

[Captain X]

Budweiser is plant water.

Gup

I wouldn't even water my plants with that shizz

 

[IAHERJ]

My Math,

UAL/CAL retirements


2012 32
2013 399
2014 419
2015 382
2016 371
2017 431
2018 413
2019 424
2020 427

Anyone have Airtran numbers?

Seems low. Are these just the CAL retirements or a combination?

On another note, when guys from the express carriers are on the jumpseat etc. and asking about future hiring I always bring up AA. I think in 5 years the place to be will be AA. They will be retiring in big #'s and most likely growing at the same time to compete with DAL and UAL without having to go through a merger like the other 2.

 

[jonjuan]

Seems low. Are these just the CAL retirements or a combination?

Sounds about right for both. '12-'20 at CAL/UAL is 3298 versus 2786 at similar sized DAL/NW.