Will SWA and AT truly merge?

[jhill]

OK, Chief.. . . . Let me spell it out for you. AirTran pilots also have a contract . . . . and that contract is binding on anyone who merges with us, or buys 51%.

Number two- Smart SWA pilots understand the faster AirTran pilots are on the SWA contract, the better it will be for both parties. Otherwise, where do you think the growth will be- the cheaper operator with options on 25 more 717 for pennies on the dollar, or the domestic-only airline with the higher CASM?

Hmmmm . . . . Geee . . . . . I wonder. :laugh:

Which is why we put the ratio clause in SL6. If AT grows so do we. Did you really think we didn't consider that?

 

[redflyer65]

I'll admit it is a rumor, but along with that I've seen the SWA training department crank out 80+ a month.

 

[seerickyfly]

Which is why we put the ratio clause in SL6. If AT grows so do we. Did you really think we didn't consider that?

3.61 planes to every one of AT's to be exact. . Plus adding the 800 brings our CASM way down.

 

[1st Rate]

I'll admit it is a rumor, but along with that I've seen the SWA training department crank out 80+ a month.

Yeah, because they are already typed in the 737. I'm sure they could pump out more than that if needed.

 

[1st Rate]

I'll admit it is a rumor, but along with that I've seen the SWA training department crank out 80+ a month.

Yeah, because they are already typed in the 737. I'm sure they could pump out more than that if needed.

there

 

[Sy-bill]

OK, Chief.. . . . Let me spell it out for you. AirTran pilots also have a contract . . . . and that contract is binding on anyone who merges with us, or buys 51%.

And in your contract does it state that if sold AT can not be operated separately? I will bet that SWA does not care much about your contract.

Number two- Smarter pilots than yourself already understand that the faster AirTran pilots are on the SWA contract, the better it will be for both parties.

And less emotional pilots know that there are an infinite of variables that depends on what is better for each party. And you make my point that YOU, the Airtan pilots, better know where you are in the food chain. You don't have the control the SWA pilots have. Blame your current leadership for this one.

Otherwise, where do you think the growth will be- the cheaper operator who has options on 25 more 717's available for pennies on the dollar,

So you are certain that SWA wants those options. And you think you are smarter than me?

or the domestic-only airline with the higher CASM that requires purchases of additional 737 to expand?

And whose CASM will be the same after the purchase of your airline. Airtran will acquire SWA costs. And who says that SWA requires only one type of aircraft? Show me please.

You miss the point that Airtran is now vulnerable in this transaction. It would be in Airtrans beat interest that seniority issues be met with the reality of the situation. Which you have proven, may not.

Best of luck to all the Airtran pilots.

 

[Sy-bill]

Airtran pilots ask yourself, Why did SWA choose to spend billions of dollars to acquire the airline, verses a much less expensive merger?

SWA management historically have made the best, industry changing decisions in the past 20 years. Why would they be different now?

 

[GuppyWN]

Of course it could be. Why? Because you lack experience in the airline world. And because your one of the biggest tools on this web board. You're the exception to the rule at southwest.

YOWZA! Looks like I hit a nerve.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry you don't have a sense of humor.

Gup

 

[Kharma Police]

Southwest pilots, my fellow AirTran pilots. As a pilot wisely pointed out on our internal message board, what good does this bickering do on an anonymous message board? We are possibly only hurting ourselves "if" this goes to arbitration. Let the trolls, haters, wannabes and flame baiters find some other use for their time. As for us, we gotta keep it real if we are going to work together!

 

[Mongolikecandy]

Airtran pilots ask yourself, Why did SWA choose to spend billions of dollars to acquire the airline, verses a much less expensive merger?

SWA management historically have made the best, industry changing decisions in the past 20 years. Why would they be different now?

I should know better than to get involved in this discussion but no one ever accused me of being the sharpest tool in the drawer.

What would be the advantage to buying an airline with another fleet type, keep the new fleet type but get rid of all the pilots that are already trained to fly those airplanes?

Kelly has already said Southwest is going to keep the 717s at least until the leases start to run out in 2017. Why keep the airplanes but get rid of the pilots who are already qualified to fly them? I am not going to get into SLI stuff, but it would seem to me, and admittedly this could be wishful thinking, that the sooner both groups have one list and one contract the sooner we can all start pulling together as one team the better it is for all Southwest employees, passengers and shareholders.

I will now return to my fantasy world full of puppy dogs, rainbows and rivers of beer.

 

[Ty Webb]

And in your contract does it state that if sold AT can not be operated separately? I will bet that SWA does not care much about your contract.

Yes, it is.

So you are certain that SWA wants those options. And you think you are smarter than me?

I know I'm smarter than you, Chief.

1) You're the one trolling in a thread that supposedly doesn't affect you;

and

2) You stole my avatar from a few years ago. . . . How original of you (but it looks good on you, though :erm.



:laugh:

 

[Sy-bill]

I am only trolling to you because you do not like what I say.

You know you are smarter than me. How freakin silly is that statement. How old are you again?

Who did you steal this avatar from? Still the piece of work I remember.

You are making my points about denying the reality of the situation. Keep it up.

 

[malibuVride]

Interesting responses!

 

[Kharma Police]

Interesting responses!

Did you get the responses you were looking for?

 

[seerickyfly]

SWAPA's contract could force the merger. AI's wont. You are being PURCHASED. A labor contract can not force a aquiring company to merge them with another company they own. You could be operated as a wholly owned subsidiary till the cows come home. As long as SWA operates you as Airtran your still Airtran. Unless SWAPA enacts it 24 month maximum fence clause of course.

 

[slaquer5]

My vote to extend seperate ops could be bought - for a price.

Gup

Comments like that will get you kicked off FI

 

[FlyinGuy]

We are all cogs in a wheel gentlemen....cogs in a wheel!

All this gets us is higher blood pressure. Welcome Trannies.

 

[Max Powers]

YOWZA! Looks like I hit a nerve.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry you don't have a sense of humor.

Gup

Yeah I'm totally wounded....Why would you want to create a whip saw, is all I'm saying?? Answer- Because you lack experience in the airline business. You have no idea the monster you would create. Look at Airways. Those who do not learn from past mistakes will be condemned to repeat them.

I'm on my Fourth airline and let me guess this is your first?

You can create all the ratios and alike. Won't matter if we stay separate who has the lower CASM in operations and labor? Who has the international ops? Who has the 50 plus 737s on order (-800 or -700).

And the Coup de Grace......Drum roll....Federal Law. Which means arbitration. No offense to my future brothers and sister at SWA but this is how it will most likely play out. Both sides of (pilots) have very little say in SLI and how the merger will play out. Just one man's opinion.

 

[texman]

Yeah I'm totally wounded....Why would you want to create a whip saw, is all I'm saying?? Answer- Because you lack experience in the airline business. You have no idea the monster you would create. Look at Airways. Those who do not learn from past mistakes will be condemned to repeat them.

I'm on my Fourth airline and let me guess this is your first?

You can create all the ratios and alike. Won't matter if we stay separate who has the lower CASM in operations and labor? Who has the international ops? Who has the 50 plus 737s on order (-800 or -700).

And the Coup de Grace......Drum roll....Federal Law. Which means arbitration. No offense to my future brothers and sister at SWA but this is how it will most likely play out. Both sides of (pilots) have very little say in SLI and how the merger will play out. Just one man's opinion.

Hey max we have 71 firm orders through 2015. They can be used for -700 or converted to -800. I won't say why, but they will be used as replacement aircraft. I do find it interesting in what the airtran pilots bring to the table. Yes we know about the the orders and international, but is that it. We could go international, might take longer to do it but we could. What about job security? Did you know that SWA, your future company spent 70 million not to furlough. I think that is pretty good. What about our route structure and our loyal customers? Did you also know when you become productive like us, our and your future airline ticket prices will drop 50% in ATL. This is all because of SWA. I am not saying what airtran brings to the table is small, but we all have to look at the big picture.

Our pilots have been educated the past year and a half about M@A's through SWAPA. A lot of good educational pieces. Yes this is a acquisition not a merger, and the final transaction agreement will dictate your future as a SWA pilot. I hope it works out for all.

 

[StaySeated]

I have a lot of friends over at Airtran, unfortunately it looks like they need to google "covered transaction". Guadalupe is not an "air carrier", and this is not covered by the RLA or AM.