AAI Pilots Expectations for January 2015

[FlyinGuy]

I took myself? That is hallarious!!! I don't recall being asked about taking on 1700 pilots then dumping most of their seats. I was asked to vote on a deal that was cooked up by SWAPA and GK. Guess what? It stunk to high heaven!!!

As far as where to go from here, I guess I will have to wait and see what happens when I wake up tomorrow. I go to work, smile, and do the best I can. That is all any of us control!!

 

[humveedriver]

I go to work, smile, and do the best I can. That is all any of us control!!

Nah, we control more than that. Just took a nice morning ride on my motorcycle and now I'm going to throw down on a serious leaf blower at Lowes. Tired of my little electric number, going gas.

 

[FlyinGuy]

More power!!!

 

[DougCorp-9]

The watershead year will be pretty obvious in 2015 especially if you've run the math post integration. I know what AAI paid before during and after acquisition announcement, and I know as well as you do what you got in real dollars from SIA and what you'll get as a RSW pilot post 2015. Certainly won't be a loss in pay but go ahead and keep trying to sell that line.

I am so sick of people spewing this BS. The payrates we have today are the same as what was negotiated in the 2007 TA that we turned down. Southwest did not walk in and give us anything more than what we had already negotiated long ago. Did they force our management to speed up the process? Sure. But SWA didn't give us anything. So please stop proclaiming things that you know nothing about.

 

[canyonblue]

The payrates we have today are the same as what was negotiated in the 2007 TA that we turned down.

You guys have a history of voting in things you don't like, just sayin'.

 

[Crash Pad]

Ok I'll bite. I'm an FO in the pack of FOs at the bottom. I have a 717 TBA award. What happens to me? I'm junior and will be one of the last to go.

I picture:
1. Some confusion when my Flica log in doesn't work so I can't check the reserve bucket.
2. A call from scheduling telling me to be at the airport in two hours for a three month pairing. (Slight excitement because that per diem will be my first pay change in 4 years.)
3. Embarrassment when I raise my hand in class because payroll added an extra couple grand to my check. SWA IT sucks someone should fix this! (My MEC speaks for me!)
4. Break time and the 12 die hard, angry, senior captains in class start discussing the pay cut and pending divorce. I remind them that seniority is everything and they should go to Delta because it is better to die on your feet than live on your knees!
5. Some convoluted base bid in which I get my last choice.
6. 30 years of speaking in slogans. I luv it here, share the luv, Jim you owned that landing, did you see that own it moment by the FA.

Seriously what happens to me in 2015?

 

[PCL_128]

However, maybe I gave most of you more credit than you deserve. PCL's, Ty Webb's and Lear 70's lack of interest certainly belies that thinking.

Sorry, Roomwithaview, but I can't bring myself to feel anything for SWA other than a lack of interest.

 

[HowardBorden]

Ok I'll bite. I'm an FO in the pack of FOs at the bottom. I have a 717 TBA award. What happens to me? I'm junior and will be one of the last to go.

I picture:
1. Some confusion when my Flica log in doesn't work so I can't check the reserve bucket.
2. A call from scheduling telling me to be at the airport in two hours for a three month pairing. (Slight excitement because that per diem will be my first pay change in 4 years.)
3. Embarrassment when I raise my hand in class because payroll added an extra couple grand to my check. SWA IT sucks someone should fix this! (My MEC speaks for me!)
4. Break time and the 12 die hard, angry, senior captains in class start discussing the pay cut and pending divorce. I remind them that seniority is everything and they should go to Delta because it is better to die on your feet than live on your knees!
5. Some convoluted base bid in which I get my last choice.
6. 30 years of speaking in slogans. I luv it here, share the luv, Jim you owned that landing, did you see that own it moment by the FA.

Seriously what happens to me in 2015?

Well at least you've got a good sense of humor because that was funny!

 

[humveedriver]

New leaf blower is awesome. Pleased with my decision to go all gas powered with the lawn implements. Finishing first Shiner as the chicken is coming off the grill.

 

[maxblast72]

AirTran Pilots on September 26, 2010:

- When is the next picketing event?
- Still working under Contract 2001.
- We hate our management
- Fornaro always screwed up our fuel hedging
- Fornaro screwed up AirTran in 2008 and sold or deferred 40 aircraft
- reserves worked 20 days a month
- scheduling would never allow a vertical trade due to low reserves
- SAP 1/2 suck

AirTran Pilots on September 28, 2010:

- We work for the best, fastest growing airline in the world
- We had the most stable job outlook in the airline industry
- We love our management
- I knew AirTran would be the place to be 15 years ago
- We were only 2 contracts away from making SWA pay rates


I have never seen a bigger bunch of flip floppers in my life.

 

[scoreboardII]

This is important stuff, first, is it two or four cycle cause I hate the oil smell?

Second you forgot to add another slogan oft used " you poor/sweet thing" and it can be used as an adjective, verb, or noun.

 

[PCL_128]

AirTran Pilots on September 26, 2010:

- When is the next picketing event?
- Still working under Contract 2001.
- We hate our management
- Fornaro always screwed up our fuel hedging
- Fornaro screwed up AirTran in 2008 and sold or deferred 40 aircraft
- reserves worked 20 days a month
- scheduling would never allow a vertical trade due to low reserves
- SAP 1/2 suck

AirTran Pilots on September 28, 2010:

- We work for the best, fastest growing airline in the world
- We had the most stable job outlook in the airline industry
- We love our management
- I knew AirTran would be the place to be 15 years ago
- We were only 2 contracts away from making SWA pay rates


I have never seen a bigger bunch of flip floppers in my life.

For the outside observers who wonder how we got screwed so badly in this deal, just read the above and realize that it's written by one of the guys on our Merger Committee who was supposed to be fighting for us. Kind of explains it all, doesn't it?

 

[humveedriver]

This is important stuff, first, is it two or four cycle cause I hate the oil smell?

Second you forgot to add another slogan oft used " you poor/sweet thing" and it can be used as an adjective, verb, or noun.

God bless you Score, you poor sweet thing. Which is normally followed by a "hot mess" reference.

2 stroke for the blower. I didn't see a 4 stroke that would provide me with the airflow I wanted. I got the Husqvarna 150BT. It's a 50cc back pack blower that many lawn guys use. Cranks about 250mph. I may strike a deal with the instructors to clean up some leaves around the schoolhouse so I can get out of class..

 

[canyonblue]

"I have often said that we wouldn't have had an opportunity if it wasn't for Southwest." - Frank Lorenzo

Nice new tag line you got there. Don't forget the rest of the story...

Lorenzo formed Jet Capital Corporation, which advised airlines, in 1969. In 1972, Jet Capital acquired Texas International, which "was threatened with extinction because Southwest was breathing down its throat," flying the same routes out of Love Field, Lorenzo said. "(Southwest president) Lamar Muse said he was going to put Texas International out of business." The threat devalued TIA enough that Lorenzo could afford it.

In '72 Lorenzo got lucky with a beatdown airline that couldn't compete with Southwest. There are plenty of Ornstein's and Bedford's out there that you could of ended up with instead. But you're pissed it was Southwest, get over yourself.

 

[fletch717]

"I don't "hate" WN, it's just not a place I've ever wanted to work, and I don't think we'd do well in an acquisition situation."

Just Delta sucks


Hi pot I'm kettle, have we met?

 

[27 driver]

Room, im on the AAI side. I don't have a SWA number and will probably cross the partition 1/1/15. Until the. I'm losing money and QOL. Take aquick look at our lines and you will see what I mean.

 

[RIDETHELIGHTING]

AirTran Pilots on September 26, 2010:

- When is the next picketing event?
- Still working under Contract 2001.
- We hate our management
- Fornaro always screwed up our fuel hedging
- Fornaro screwed up AirTran in 2008 and sold or deferred 40 aircraft
- reserves worked 20 days a month
- scheduling would never allow a vertical trade due to low reserves
- SAP 1/2 suck

AirTran Pilots on September 28, 2010:

- We work for the best, fastest growing airline in the world
- We had the most stable job outlook in the airline industry
- We love our management
- I knew AirTran would be the place to be 15 years ago
- We were only 2 contracts away from making SWA pay rates


I have never seen a bigger bunch of flip floppers in my life.

It would be funny, if it wasn't so true. Spot on!!!

 

[waveflyer]

All I hear is blah blah blah-

I will say this, if none of you realized you worked for an airline before, you do now.

At this point, it's all in the category of 'grow up'- on all sides.

If this kind of thing shakes you up, you weren't mentored very well and probably ought to go pcl's route and change your career.

 

[Roomwithaview]

Well

The input certainly is a lot better and I appreciate that although the vitriol still exists from both sides and doesn't seem to be doing much to help arrive at answers.

Maybe I'm not explaining myself very well and PCL, duly noted. I just assumed since you had so much to say about the list prior to the vote you would now as well. Sorry.

I'm trying to specifically figure out the mechanics of how things are going to work in 2015. Or, at least the mechanics of how y'all envision seniority will work (immediately) in 2015. It seems cut-n-dry but there are an awful lot of training events that will have to take place for it to work and I don't see our training center pulling it off.

Has anyone run the numbers on the AAI side and questioned the ability for the deal to go down as signed? Trying to get info from swapa is like trying to pull teeth. They just keep saying the company says it will work.

Thanks for the responses. Regarding the pay reduction in line flying what's to keep you from transitioning now?

 

[Crash Pad]

If you have a SWA 737 award you can bid over... Sort of it is going from different bases so its hard to figure.

The majority of us have a 717 award... We are stuck.

My post was only partly a joke. I seriously have no idea what will happen. My guess is sometime in 2015 I end up in a Dallas ground school.

What do you hear on your side?

 

[XGmaninGA]

My bid was fulfilled a year ago, TBA717 CA. I have been in my awarded position for almost a year. At the present time, there is no method for me to transition. I cannot bid transition classes. Something will have to change. Bids are opened, equipment locks released, some new combination all of the above. I fully expect to be sent home at the end of 2014, when they park the remaining 717s. With pay, without pay? Who knows, nobody is saying.

 

[FL250]

For the outside observers who wonder how we got screwed so badly in this deal, just read the above and realize that it's written by one of the guys on our Merger Committee who was supposed to be fighting for us. Kind of explains it all, doesn't it?

Oh Waaaahhhh! At least you have a job. Stop whining and start being thankful you have a job and at a great company, one that is going places. There are so many highly skilled aviators who aren't near so lucky as you. I am so tired of the complaining. Get with it!

 

[humveedriver]

My bid was fulfilled a year ago, TBA717 CA. I have been in my awarded position for almost a year. At the present time, there is no method for me to transition. I cannot bid transition classes. Something will have to change. Bids are opened, equipment locks released, some new combination all of the above. I fully expect to be sent home at the end of 2014, when they park the remaining 717s. With pay, without pay? Who knows, nobody is saying.

Good post.

 

[XRMEFLYER]

Given that there will be some 1100 plus left to transition in calendar year 2014, it does seem unlikely that they will complete everyone by 1-1-15 with current process in place. It is possible that the company decides to issue IDs to those remaining in the late fall with class dates tbd thereby "completing" the transition on schedule. But really, who knows. I'm sure they will let us all know when they figure it out.

 

[scoreboardII]

The input certainly is a lot better and I appreciate that although the vitriol still exists from both sides and doesn't seem to be doing much to help arrive at answers.

Maybe I'm not explaining myself very well and PCL, duly noted. I just assumed since you had so much to say about the list prior to the vote you would now as well. Sorry.

I'm trying to specifically figure out the mechanics of how things are going to work in 2015. Or, at least the mechanics of how y'all envision seniority will work (immediately) in 2015. It seems cut-n-dry but there are an awful lot of training events that will have to take place for it to work and I don't see our training center pulling it off.

Has anyone run the numbers on the AAI side and questioned the ability for the deal to go down as signed? Trying to get info from swapa is like trying to pull teeth. They just keep saying the company says it will work.

Thanks for the responses. Regarding the pay reduction in line flying what's to keep you from transitioning now?

My take away from talks is at some point they pull the plug and cease all AT operations. Is that at 10 planes, 20, who knows.

April SWA starts the international runs. I don't think it will take more than six months to prove it isn't anything anyone else hasn't done, and therefore, ramp up will increase to swap all international to SWA side by Dec 2014.

 

[scoreboardII]

My bid was fulfilled a year ago, TBA717 CA. I have been in my awarded position for almost a year. At the present time, there is no method for me to transition. I cannot bid transition classes. Something will have to change. Bids are opened, equipment locks released, some new combination all of the above. I fully expect to be sent home at the end of 2014, when they park the remaining 717s. With pay, without pay? Who knows, nobody is saying.

It will be with full pay if they park the jets.

 

[climbhappy]

Oh Waaaahhhh! At least you have a job. Stop whining and start being thankful you have a job and at a great company, one that is going places. There are so many highly skilled aviators who aren't near so lucky as you. I am so tired of the complaining. Get with it!

i know alot of guys who'd like to swing gear for a 150k plus a year
QOL only matters if you're senior cause you can hold it, if you're junior you know you have to eat a few turdpies...

 

[slaquer5]

For the outside observers who wonder how we got screwed so badly in this deal, just read the above and realize that it's written by one of the guys on our Merger Committee who was supposed to be fighting for us. Kind of explains it all, doesn't it?

Funny coming from someone with only a HS diploma . The AT NC. are all very bright guys with alot of experience.


Maybe your time might be better spent taking some night classes @ Atlanta community college .

 

[redflyer65]

AirTran Pilots on September 26, 2010:

- When is the next picketing event?
- Still working under Contract 2001.
- We hate our management
- Fornaro always screwed up our fuel hedging
- Fornaro screwed up AirTran in 2008 and sold or deferred 40 aircraft
- reserves worked 20 days a month
- scheduling would never allow a vertical trade due to low reserves
- SAP 1/2 suck

AirTran Pilots on September 28, 2010:

- We work for the best, fastest growing airline in the world
- We had the most stable job outlook in the airline industry
- We love our management
- I knew AirTran would be the place to be 15 years ago
- We were only 2 contracts away from making SWA pay rates


I have never seen a bigger bunch of flip floppers in my life.

from PCL128..

For the outside observers who wonder how we got screwed so badly in this deal, just read the above and realize that it's written by one of the guys on our Merger Committee who was supposed to be fighting for us. Kind of explains it all, doesn't it?


That's absolutely hilarious PCL. You guys sent the NC out to produce a product. Hopefully with some guidelines going forward. So what you are saying is the MEC had NO idea how negotiations were progressing over several months? Really?

Then when they produce a document (that you presumably guided them towards), then you decide to throw them under the bus as a rogue committee that was completely clueless and vote down their product? Again, REALLY?

Tell me the thought process with this type of thinking? Other than trying hard to run out the clock and run straight to arbitration, because I really think that was the AAI MEC gameplan from day one.

It sounds more like the poster child for complete incompetence than an issue with the NC.

 

[waveflyer]

What red flyer said^^^ absolutely true-

But in 2013, who cares- that's where me and PCL agree- the time for debate has come and gone- now it's about moving forward with what we have-