SWA/Airtran pilot integration thoughts, what will the new list look like?

[dicko]

Coming up on 9 years actually. I live in Atlanta as well and was torn between "BIG D" and SWA. They both had much to offer and were completely different. One thing I knew for sure, was every one of my friends that went to SWA was a REAL friend. The ones that went to Delta never talked to me again after they got their Double Breasted ego. When I got my SWA interview, my REAL friends called me to ask how they could help. Between that and my first trip to "Mecca" in Dallas, I knew where I wanted to hang my hat. There was no doubt whatsoever.

The reason I never considered Airtran was because, at the time, I made nearly as much at my regional as junior AT captains. The pay cut to start over was a much a bigger bite than I could handle financially.

As far as upgrades, I was told I would upgrade in 5 years at SWA so I think that argument about expected upgrade is moot. We are going to work this out and I think some of us may have to swallow bigger pills than others (those of us at SWA hired in my time frame are used to it). I still have no regrets at SWA but I think my 9 years should mean something. I don't think that is unreasonable.

Welcome to the family!

Interesting.

Who knows what your 9 years at SWA will get you. I hope it's what you want. I don't know what my 9 years at AT will get me. I never applied at SWA. I don't remember SW hiring at the end of 2002. Since you're there I'll defer to you. I have a bunch of friends there and hopefully more in the future. I don't think that anybody would argue that SW isn't a good airline.

Yes I met the requirements. No, I don't have any 'skeletons'; apart from the little incident with the "lotion on the skin"

I do know I've been in the left seat since the two and a half year mark at AT. What an arbitrator will think I don't know. The future appears to be notoriously difficult to predict.

Either way .... I'll swallow whatever an arbitrator hands out and either lift gear or buy beer. Or both.

 

[chase]

Clyde

Prior to 9/11 SWA hardly lost "a lot" of pilots to the legacy carriers.

We no doubt lost a few who chose to chase $$$. It says more about those individuals than it does about the culture of SWA IMHO.

The interesting question is how many of the pilots who left SWA for a legacy carrier regret that decision versus those who left a legacy carrier to come to SWA? Purely hypothetical obviously but of those I've spoken with there was a definite trend.

Doesn't make SWA a perfect place or better than other airlines. It is simple an indicator of reality for persons who have a very unique perspective.

I understand there are many reasons why AAI is a perfect match for some and SWA wasn't. That is why we all enjoy having choices.

 

[400ADude]

.

I understand there are many reasons why AAI is a perfect match for some and SWA wasn't. That is why we all enjoy having choices.

AAI was the only choice after everyone else rejected you, Southwest, Continental, Fedex, UPS, Delta, Netjets, Frontier, Alaska, back on Active Duty, 7-11, Walmart etc................

As far as AAI prior to 911. Don't even start. It wasn't an option except to those who could go no where else. Nobody went to Critter and stayed there prior 911 who really wasn't a piece of work: multiple DWI's, felony assautls, scabs, multiple busted check rides, horrible personality, bad credit it goes on and on and on. And just think Gary Kelly wants to put these people in front of YOU! Enjoy it all boys and girls.

 

[ATLplt]

nevermind

 

[Lear70]

AAI was the only choice after everyone else rejected you, Southwest, Continental, Fedex, UPS, Delta, Netjets, Frontier, Alaska, back on Active Duty, 7-11, Walmart etc................

Ummm, not really, no. For a while post-9/11, they were one of the only games in town for quite some time.

This is evidenced in the large attrition rates FROM AirTran TO many Legacy carriers and Southwest as well. A lot of pilots WERE employable at other carriers, just happened to end up at AirTran between their regionals and wherever they decided to go afterwards.

Some people stayed by choice (I turned down a jetBlue interview during my first year and got called by Northwest and United both from apps I had on file from before I went to AirTran that I had never pulled).

Your generalization is quite obviously flame bait, just wanted to interject a little reality into your diatribe.

Flame on.

 

[400ADude]

Sure Lear70, as the guy who got turned down by Southwest.

I'll say this, pilots hired around 2002 and later are a higher caliber then 2001 and earlier. Guys hired at AAI prior to 2001 and those who stayed there are the bottom of the barrell. And just think if Gary Kelly has his way, some of them will be ahead of Southwest folks. Outstanding! Thanks Gary!

 

[GuppyWN]

What % of your classmates are still at your airline?

Mine? 100% and that's "pre 9-11."

Now. What have we solved?

Gup

 

[maru657]

This seems like much ado about nothing. Just request an arbitrator and wait for the results. But DO request arbitration.

 

[Kharma Police]

No worries, I was just clarifying your remark about AirTran being the only airline hiring in 2004. How many folks did you guys hire in 2004? Not a hit just curious.

Not quite sure but off the top of my head maybe 300?

 

[Kharma Police]

Before 9/11 SWA lost a lot of pilots to places like UAL/DAL etc.

There seems to be a lot of arrogance coming from the SWA pilots on this forum. We're all very impressed with your stellar contract but it wasn't always that great and history guarantees it won't always be.

OY VEY! What happened to the love?!?!?

 

[MCDU]

Sure Lear70, as the guy who got turned down by Southwest.

I'll say this, pilots hired around 2002 and later are a higher caliber then 2001 and earlier. Guys hired at AAI prior to 2001 and those who stayed there are the bottom of the barrell. And just think if Gary Kelly has his way, some of them will be ahead of Southwest folks. Outstanding! Thanks Gary!

Just to show you how times change. USAIR pilots left SWA and took a recall back in 1998. SWA was not the first choice for many. You had to buy a type and fly up and down all day long for a lot less then the majors . Just a few years later the opposite happens.

But,I do agree with the above statement. Kind of reminds me of Americas Worst Airline.

M

 

[slaquer5]

Just to show you how times change. USAIR pilots left SWA and took a recall back in 1998. SWA was not the first choice for many. You had to buy a type and fly up and down all day long for a lot less then the majors . Just a few years later the opposite happens.

But,I do agree with the above statement. Kind of reminds me of Americas Worst Airline.

M

ONE ,His name was Rob, I knew him well. Rob was very bitter towards SWA and would have quite to go anywhere.

 

[luv2fly]

Not quite sure but off the top of my head maybe 300?

Wow, if that's true then you guys increased your seniority list by at least 23% that year alone. That's assuming no hiring since 2004, which we know is not the case.

Not sure of how many pilots you had prior to your hiring boom in 2004, but sheeeite.

 

[jball2]

Dicko- I am trying to keep the same attitude. I am just trying to see why some people feel the way they do. I can't wait to drive to work! Que sera sera...

 

[Ualexpress]

In early 2004 Airtran began hiring pilots after a six month hiatus. This hiring binge would last until early 2008 and double the size of the pilot group from 800 to over 1600 pilots.

 

[b747dogg]

Just to show you how times change. USAIR pilots left SWA and took a recall back in 1998. SWA was not the first choice for many. You had to buy a type and fly up and down all day long for a lot less then the majors . Just a few years later the opposite happens.

But,I do agree with the above statement. Kind of reminds me of Americas Worst Airline.

M

How did that work out for him?

 

[dicko]

Dicko- I am trying to keep the same attitude. I am just trying to see why some people feel the way they do. I can't wait to drive to work! Que sera sera...

Agreed.

20 minutes to the parking lot is a beautiful thing. 20 minutes to home is priceless

 

[waveflyer]

I'll just say again- this is a stupid thread- seniority lists and the luck and skill involved in getting your position on one is nothing new-- so the ego is juvenile at this point- and whatever chest thumping happens CAN snowball into very bitter and negative results. Let the fray continue but please all be mindful of that- we are both better together- period. I think the SLI should slant towards SWA bc we're the buying carrier and don't gain contractually- there are 7700+ other strong opinions-

Stay calm. Stay tuned. Deep breath and let's see how it works out.
But commit to it NOT ending up like USAIR- that's the only real way to lose-

 

[CMonBoard]

Well said, Waveflyer.

 

[slaquer5]

How did that work out for him?

Well at first everyone thought he was an idiot ( he had a bad reputation to start off with)

Then UAL was going to buy USair and he would be going over to UAL w/ almost 20 yrs seniority. ( He did not look like an idiot but someone who lucked out)

Well the rest I do not think I have to say. I do not know what bidding power or seat a 20+ yr USAir pilot has.