Alaska and SWA

[a320drivr]

Anybody heard anything? Rumor is both parties are signing confidentiality agreements and one of the reasons swa deferred airplanes was to save cash for the deal.

 

[Metrojet]

Anybody heard anything? Rumor is both parties are signing confidentiality agreements and one of the reasons swa deferred airplanes was to save cash for the deal.

wow - hope they are as friendly to the alaska pilots as they were to the air tran pilots

 

[flythere]

Anybody heard anything? Rumor is both parties are signing confidentiality agreements and one of the reasons swa deferred airplanes was to save cash for the deal.

Can I get a hit of whatever you've been smoking today?

 

[PCL_128]

Delta will never let anyone else have Alaska. As soon as someone else makes a move, Delta will pay any amount of money to get them.

 

[Max Powers]

Alaska has a Market cap of 2.3 billion. I don't think SWA can afford to buy them.

 

[BlueBlood]

SWA has $4.5BIL in available cash.

 

[XR650R]

Staple the AS pilots..Yeah!! I kid, I kid. Lots of good friends over there. Very high quality group of guys and gals. This combo has been discussed before. As a matter of fact, since I've been in the business, there have been constant rumors regarding Alaska and pretty much everyone else.
However, it is curious that just a few months ago, Gary was beaming when talking about how the -800 was a "game changer" and was basically going to be our savior. I know he thinks farther out than a few months so something has definitely changed. He was and is well aware of fuel volatility.
Also, regardless of the amount of discord and heartache displayed on this board and others regarding the SLI between us and Airtran, from the outside looking in people are saying "Gee, that was easy!".
I also don't think it would take $2.3B to buy Alaska. That would suggest a hostile take over. This would have to be amicable. If there is value to be gained by a merger/acquisition, then the respective boards have a fiduciary responsibility to at least examine a proposal

 

[texman]

Oh boy, this would be a doozy of a SLI. It would never happen. Like said, delta would do a hostile takeover.

 

[XR650R]

Oh boy, this would be a doozy of a SLI. It would never happen. Like said, delta would do a hostile takeover.

DOH is the only thing that would make sense. The issue would be fences.

 

[PropPiedmont]

Delta will never let anyone else have Alaska. As soon as someone else makes a move, Delta will pay any amount of money to get them.

Maybe SWA will trade Delta the 717s for Alaska?

 

[Saluki Dawg]

Then Delta turns right around and buys Hawaiian. I think you're on to something there Prop!:beer:

 

[scoreboardII]

There are only three airlines with lower cost structure that compete against SWA: JB, AK, Airtran. Who did SWA just buy? Which of the remaining two is most likely the next target?

 

[lowtimedriver]

Not this crap again....

 

[scrub]

DOH is the only thing that would make sense. The issue would be fences.

So your willing to throw the AT guys under the bus again?

 

[Cometman]

DOH is the only thing that would make sense. The issue would be fences.

I cannot see them getting anything better than the Air Tran pilots got.In fact they are a smaller group and bring less aircraft than Air Tran.

 

[XR650R]

I cannot see them getting anything better than the Air Tran pilots got.In fact they are a smaller group and bring less aircraft than Air Tran.

Good point. I was coming from the idea that AS has been around quite a bit longer than Airtran and I'm thinking that a DOH would probably naturally align it's self with relative seniority. Granted, it's an over simplification to make a blanket statement like that but I was referring to the idea that putting a SWA 1975 DOH coupled with an AS 1975 DOH would be conceptually easier that trying to figure out how to integrate an Airtran 1994 DOH with a SWA 1975 DOH or whatever our senior guy is.
No disrespect implied to the AT bros.

 

[Daddy]

You actually disrespected your SWA "bros" with that statement

 

[humveedriver]

As long as it is Alaska or JB in that order and not American. It's amazing how much I've lowered the bar in career expectations over the last year...

 

[msmb]

Maybe Alaska will buy SW or Delta....we haven't decided yet!! Will let you know after the fact.

 

[ATLplt]

Good point. I was coming from the idea that AS has been around quite a bit longer than Airtran and I'm thinking that a DOH would probably naturally align it's self with relative seniority.

Relative seniority?! Staple them behind me...someone who got stapled.

I know this is all just a wild rumor on a forum, but this is exactly why seniority is so important. The AirTran guys will suffer again if SWA merges with anyone. How many more beatings are we gonna have to take? Like the Morris guys this time around...no AirTran pilot harmed in the future...right?

 

[Cometman]

Maybe Alaska will buy SW or Delta....we haven't decided yet!! Will let you know after the fact.

You are smaller than Air Tran and never will buy SWA or Delta. You will assume the position behind the Air Tran guys because they are now part of SWA.

 

[Mamma]

You are smaller than Air Tran and never will buy SWA or Delta. You will assume the position behind the Air Tran guys because they are now part of SWA.

Whatever you Kool-Ade drinking newbie.

 

[Dan Roman]

You are smaller than Air Tran and never will buy SWA or Delta. You will assume the position behind the Air Tran guys because they are now part of SWA.

That good old "warrior spirit" eh.
Texas Intl bought Continental back in the early 80's. Alaska is considered financially stronger than SWA in any way you want to measure it. Just like I keep telling my wife, size doesn't matter.

 

[Chief Pilot]

You are smaller than Air Tran and never will buy SWA or Delta. You will assume the position behind the Air Tran guys because they are now part of SWA.

It's nice to finally see someone on this forum who has real insider information and will be part of the decision-making process if this ridiculous rumor ever comes to fruition. You were obviously the smart one of that Hale-Bopp group...now run along and chase that spaceship.

CP

 

[Dan Roman]

BTW, I can't believe anyone would really believe AK and SWA are mergable. Two completely different types of airlines. Alaska is successful because of it's reputation for good service and has strong passenger loyalty. SWA is successful because people perceive it as a good bargain. Two completely different business models. Both have brand loyalty in their own way, but I don't see them as compatible at all.

 

[flythere]

Good point. I was coming from the idea that AS has been around quite a bit longer than Airtran and I'm thinking that a DOH would probably naturally align it's self with relative seniority. Granted, it's an over simplification to make a blanket statement like that but I was referring to the idea that putting a SWA 1975 DOH coupled with an AS 1975 DOH would be conceptually easier that trying to figure out how to integrate an Airtran 1994 DOH with a SWA 1975 DOH or whatever our senior guy is.
No disrespect implied to the AT bros.

Ah, on that note I think AS has been around a hell of a lot longer than SW, Let's see AK= 1932 SW= 1971, about 40 yrs! Besides if there are any pilots that were hired in 1975 hanging around, they are probably getting around on their Little Rascle with the O2 tank attached!

AK is much more forward thinking with their fleet, RNP, HUD AOC datalink etc. SW is very resistant to change, look at their fleet. They are lobbying Boeing not to change the 737 too much, because it would affect the type rating! I'm sure SW is looking at technology, but not like other carriers are, especially AK!

 

[fam62c]

This is worthless discussion about nothing.

 

[scrub]

This is worthless discussion about nothing.

Amen!

 

[texman]

BTW, I can't believe anyone would really believe AK and SWA are mergable. Two completely different types of airlines. Alaska is successful because of it's reputation for good service and has strong passenger loyalty. SWA is successful because people perceive it as a good bargain. Two completely different business models. Both have brand loyalty in their own way, but I don't see them as compatible at all.

SWA does not have good customer service, or loyalty? I don't think you know what you are talking about. Just saying.

 

[Boxboy]

Walmart merging with Neiman Marcus..... great!