When you go into BK and the judge allows a 47% pay cut, it is tough to crawl back up. Luckily, the legacies are doing better, and so far one (you know which one) has brought the bar back up, and the others will hopefully follow. Long term stability isn't a part of this industry, but consolidation will take away large competition, helping the others. Bag fees and other ancillary revenue appear to be sticking, which will also give needed revenue to those who use it. (SWA still hasn't embraced the bag fees, even though they haven't stopped it at their subsidiary AT) Even during this downturn in the economy and weakness in other areas around the globe (Europe mainly), the legacies appear to be doing well for the time being. That bodes well for better contracts in the near future, and the next one we can negotiate for will start in 2 1/2 more years. Also, everyone must remember that SWA did get their higher pay rates from DL and other legacies, not the other way around. Before 9-11 and the large DL contract, SWA paid a lot less, and SWA Captains were leaving for UAL. (fact) We are glad though, that SWA has kept their pay where it is at, no doubt, and hopefully they will keep it the same or better in future negotiations coming up here. It is tough when you are at the top, because the only way you can go is straight down. Been there already.
Bye Bye---General Lee