Gary Kelly's ATN Comments at Message To The Field

[Juniority]

It seems that most of the possibilities being voiced/argued here don't take the economy (U.S. and World) into consideration. Up at Gary's level you'd better bet there's a "plan A" a "plan B" and a "plan C" in place for this aquisition.

I'm sure one of those plans is to discard Airtran entirely if the economy dumps again before the deal is done.

 

[Kharma Police]

Stay at Guadaloupe Holdings making Airtran wages while all growth goes to Southwest.

Herb and Gary won't kill this place, if you think otherwise your dreaming.

Hoping for a good integration that ALPA doesn't completely screw up. They have a horrible track record.

Yes, ALPA truly F-uped the DAL/NWA merger................

If you were a CEO which side would you grow?, the one with the cheaper labor force which happens to be entrenched in your last frontier at the Worlds Busiest Airport or the more expensive one which is already maxed out with no growth in the CONUS? If your senior FOs want to upgrade anytime soon, I suggest you support a speedy SLI and stop hoping and praying for a whipsaw.

 

[RedDogC130]

If you were a CEO which side would you grow?, the one with the cheaper labor force which happens to be entrenched in your last frontier at the Worlds Busiest Airport or the more expensive one which is already maxed out with no growth in the CONUS?

Ok...no I won't bite....that was just stupid.

 

[Kharma Police]

Ok...no I won't bite....that was just stupid.

No, stupidity is wishing for a whipsaw.

There's none so blind as those who will not see.

 

[redflyer65]

There's none so blind as those who will not see.

You might want to look in the mirror then.

We already know that when the ink is dry that all AAI orders are coming to SW, so how realistic is your view of growing Airtran? I'm just sayin.

DAL/NW? Really? Not even close to what we are trying to do here. SW/AAI career expectations and QOL are night and day, there's really no debate. Delta and NW was pretty close to identical.

If anyone can screw this up it will be ALPA.

 

[Captzaahlie]

...........

 

[Kharma Police]

You might want to look in the mirror then.

We already know that when the ink is dry that all AAI orders are coming to SW, so how realistic is your view of growing Airtran? I'm just sayin.

DAL/NW? Really? Not even close to what we are trying to do here. SW/AAI career expectations and QOL are night and day, there's really no debate. Delta and NW was pretty close to identical.

If anyone can screw this up it will be ALPA.

I have no trouble looking in the mirror and realizing I have no control over the situation. The sad fact is that SOME of you are actually wishing out of ridiculous spite, harm to not only us but to your own careers. Trying to point that out to SOME of you is like trying to convince a 3 year old there is no such thing as Santa Claus. Sooner or later they will learn on their own.

 

[redflyer65]

I'm wishing for a good integration all the way around.

I fear that ALPA will screw this up with irrational demands and some (not all) at Airtran will be inclined to follow them. Gary won't let ALPA hold demands over 35,000 employees at SW.

Hoping for good things.

 

[texman]

I have no trouble looking in the mirror and realizing I have no control over the situation. The sad fact is that SOME of you are actually wishing out of ridiculous spite, harm to not only us but to your own careers. Trying to point that out to SOME of you is like trying to convince a 3 year old there is no such thing as Santa Claus. Sooner or later they will learn on their own.

kharma come on, stop trying to be the old wise one here. I will agree AT has lower cost, but what you don't see (as a CEO in your own mind) is SWA is larger than AT. SWA has made profits and so has AT, but SWA has done it for a long time. We are not hurting at SWA. Without AT we would have grown. It may have taking longer but that would have been ok. I think your management realizes it can not compete and expand outside ATL. MKE/MCO mmmmmm ok I will give you that. You said that our senior FO's may want to speed this sli up so they can upgrade. Well Who say's you wont be a FO after this is all over and I and the JR SWA fo's are on the street.

Now what do you know about Whipsaw? Did you participate one time in your with a Whipsaw event? I hate to say it but GK will operate AT as long as he needs to. No threat, but go to Centerofaviation.com. Become a member and read all the Delta articles and interviews with the CEO. Delta is eyeing your 717's like a hawk and will be more and glad to take them off of SWA/AT's hands. Just think how this will help with Delta and their small RJ problem. Gen Lee is ready to take back scope and what a great airplane to do it with. I am sure for the DC-9 MX guys and pilots, this would be a cheap easy replacement for their old DC-9-30-88's. But you never know I may be your captain. So stop getting are FO's fired up with comments about a speedy SLI.

 

[texman]

I'm wishing for a good integration all the way around.

I fear that ALPA will screw this up with irrational demands and some (not all) at Airtran will be inclined to follow them. Gary won't let ALPA hold demands over 35,000 employees at SW.

Hoping for good things.

True DAT. I hate to see our FA's pissed off.