AirTran MEC CYA

[Ty Webb]

737's remind me of the Checker Taxicabs. Except they only made Checker cabs for 26 years . . . The 737 is going on 45 years, now.

 

[PCL_128]

Yet, not one of your pilots will suffer one cent of lost income through their career here when it comes to the end game money in the bank. Most will make out handsomely. Starting 2015.

That's impossible to know. We have no way of predicting what the contracts of both carriers would have resembled for the duration of everyone's careers. The only thing we know is seniority progression based upon retirements and firm aircraft orders.

 

[K-Mart]

That is correct no way to predict contracts in the future
for either carrier. Likewise no way to predict future of either
carrier staying in business. Firm aircraft orders are a joke too.

 

[humveedriver]

Firm aircraft orders are a joke too.

True. That just means the manafacturer agreed on price to sell the aircraft. Doesn't imply the carrier can't get out of buying them.

 

[DUBLINFLYER]

I did not see anyone mention the fact - why is Westjet selling perfectly good planes? Is there market strong enough to buy 800 or 900 models to replace their 700's
Or could SWA be buying the planes and the company ?

 

[Ty Webb]

The market for -700's is supposedly very weak right now, most airlines that have -800 or -900 options are going for the larger airframes, so the price of -700's is dropping to the point where they are attractive to certain operators. . . . or so my Magic 8-ball said.

 

[GhettoBeechjet]

And by "educated guesses," I assume you really mean, "the most pessimistic possible outcome I can describe, even if it means discounting precedent, calling the entire Southwest management team liars, and ignoring what's actually happening around me," then I suppose you may be right.

Bubba

They have said a "relatively flat fleet" and flat capacity. The two don't coexist when you are replacing smaller airframes with larger ones. Jan 1 2015 is only 18 months away and they know what the fleet will look like then and it's out there in black and white on a page NOT STAMPED SWA INTERNAL ONLY if you care to find it. The plan at present has them retaining all the classics they have invested capital in beyond 2015. The "relatively flat fleet in 2015 includes 717s that will have to be parked unless there is some change from present agreements. Now they might go and purchase additional airframes but if they do there will be an ASM increase which is also counter to what they have said. Without additional airframes we will be GROSSLY overstaffed for a LONG period of time.

 

[waveflyer]

GBJ-

So, ok- lets say I agree.

What are you going to do?

How does obsessing like you are, change your situation.

Get your zombie hollow points ready- but once you've prepped, why do you continue to yell "the zombies are coming" every day that zombies haven't come?

You're an airline pilot- pay cash for your sports car, save your money, and don't over-extend yourself- having done that, how does reading your black tea leaves help you?

 

[GhettoBeechjet]

Knowledge is power. Knowing you are going to displaced or furloughed now gives you 18 months to get your house in order and prepare. I don't believe in zombies but furloughs in the airline industry, especially after an acquisition, are a well documented historical fact. Also knowing the plan helps in negotiations. I have talked to several in SWAPA and I hope that their conversations with me were posturing. I would be deeply disturbed if they had their had that far in the sand. It saddens me but it just is what it is.

 

[waveflyer]

You're saying your house isn't in order?