Airtran Captain leaves for SWA

[GuppyWN]

Funny ......

I've been laughing myself to sleep since September 27. I dream of a giant house, many cars and boats. I'm going to show photos to everybody I fly with. I'll brag endlessly about my income. Nobody will be immune from my fountain of 'relish'.

You're gonna fit right in!

Gup

 

[Dash Power]

Dash Power,

Give it a rest. We all know FI sux. It use to be a great message board, then the tranny dudes ruined it. (just kidding). We are smart enough to make up our own minds. Most will be cool and some will be d*cks... just like we have now, me included.

But are you smart enough to know when you are doing more damage than good? You really can't see how you might be affecting your own career? Are you really hearing positive things about this integration? I am not.

Apparently not. It is YOU who I hope gives it a rest instead of stirring up an already fragile pot.

 

[carl p]

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised when you fly with the typical AT pilot. Almost every single guy/gal I've flown with is down to earth and like-able. They just want to fit in and help make a better SWA. Consider the success of AT over the last 17 years and know that it's been done with strained management relations for the last 6-7 years. Imagine what we'll do with a management team that will honor our contract and treat us as though we are valued. All they have to do is point to the wall they want me to run through my first day in DAL. I'd bet anything that 99% of the pilots and fAs here feel the same. Pass that through the grapevine please...

 

[Ty Webb]

I don't disagree with you. without this forum there would not be any grapevine effect. Where would there be any other easy information with this subject? Right?

Apparently, you haven't been to the SWA Foum on PPRUNE.

 

[Dash Power]

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised when you fly with the typical AT pilot. Almost every single guy/gal I've flown with is down to earth and like-able. They just want to fit in and help make a better SWA. Consider the success of AT over the last 17 years and know that it's been done with strained management relations for the last 6-7 years. Imagine what we'll do with a management team that will honor our contract and treat us as though we are valued. All they have to do is point to the wall they want me to run through my first day in DAL. I'd bet anything that 99% of the pilots and fAs here feel the same. Pass that through the grapevine please...

I will. And I agree.

I hope some of the others on the board understand what is at stake with some this nonsense.

 

[Dash Power]

Apparently, you haven't been to the SWA Foum on PPRUNE.

Only fueled by some of your comments Ty. Which is my point. There was a thread over there started about finding out what your real name may be.

There are others but you are the poster child for what could become a problem that many may regret. First impressions are lasting and as of now the first impression is not good.

I can only hope everyone will consider the risks involved and start playing nice. We all have something to lose.

 

[satpak77]

I am still wondering where S3sundowner went....

 

[shootr]

I don't know, we share a lot of terminal space together. Why not just introduce yourself and kindly ask, "how are things going?" I spoke with a very friendly SWA CA in TPA, and we spoke briefly about the two sides and I considered that a lot more constructive then an anonymous cyber bytch board.

Only an anecdote but the one AT pilot I've talked to in the terminal was a CA that told me in quite an arrogant way that relative was the only fair thing to do. He was trying to convince me, a senior FO making the same coin as him, that I had to let him keep HIS seat. All this AFTER I said nothing about the SLI. After I walked off, he told the CA I was flying with that I was quite rude for not engaging in the debate with him. He also said a similar event happened at the bar on an overnight. Asked "What's the problem with your FO's?"

I no longer debate SLI on these boards and I won't discuss it in the terminal/bar with AT dudes. I say "Hi", I wave, and I nod my head to fellow pilots. Other than that, I let my NC speak for me.

shootr

 

[redflyer65]

Only an anecdote but the one AT pilot I've talked to in the terminal was a CA that told me in quite an arrogant way that relative was the only fair thing to do. He was trying to convince me, a senior FO making the same coin as him, that I had to let him keep HIS seat. All this AFTER I said nothing about the SLI. After I walked off, he told the CA I was flying with that I was quite rude for not engaging in the debate with him. He also said a similar event happened at the bar on an overnight. Asked "What's the problem with your FO's?"

I no longer debate SLI on these boards and I won't discuss it in the terminal/bar with AT dudes. I say "Hi", I wave, and I nod my head to fellow pilots. Other than that, I let my NC speak for me.

shootr

I've seen similiar. The difference between Sept. 26th and 27th for AAI guys was huge. Before it was 'someone save us', now it's 'I should get the SW contract and realitive seniority.'

Quite a diverenge in paths. Just sayin'

 

[Lear70]

All I can say is, "Sorry for the rudeness." Seriously, we all have our 1%'ers, and while some absolutely DO say more on here than they would in person, in large part because of the anonymity of the board, there's no excuse to be that aggressive or rude to each other, especially in person.

I've had several conversations on jumpseats over the last 6 months about the deal, the culture, and the SLI with Southwest pilots going to and from work, and we've always been able to exchange thoughts and ideas while avoiding anything truly "rude", even with statements on the jumpseat from some of your F/O's saying "If *ANY* AirTran Captain stays a Captain while I'm still an F/O, I'm going to be pi$$ed". Both sides have their own opinions on "fair", and likely some people will be aggravated no matter WHAT the outcome. That's just how integrations go.

We each want the best for our own situation and don't want to be hosed (staple or pure relative seems to obviously be polarizing to either side) while simultaneously trying to protect the culture that has served Southwest so well over the years. After dealing with our management team and the things they've done over the years, for me, it's not the money that's the draw, I do just fine right now, it's working for a company that VALUES someone taking pride in their job, going the extra mile, and working hard to make their company exceptional while taking care of each other. THAT'S what I look forward to, and I don't want to see the culture harmed any more than a Southwest pilot does.

So, again, sorry if some of our "less sensitive" of our pilots are making an *** of themselves to you on the road. Internet talk is just internet talk, and people WILL blow off steam on here, but being rude in person is just not acceptable.