AAI/SWA solution

[Ty Webb]

You've made an interesting point. 65-70% of AirTran pilots already commute. The seniority fence in Atlanta made that number far greater.

The senior pilots who don't live in base would scrabble into the base. Pushing the junior who live in the base, out of the base. Now everybody is commuting.

The concept of the protected ATL forced;

1. SWA Mgt. into a base that was larger than financially ideal,

2. Kept SWA pilots who live there, or wanted to bid there out,

3. Forced the senior AirTran who don't live there in, and

4. Forced the junior who do live there out.

Yup. That's what many of us have been saying. There has to be a better solution for both groups than what was proposed. It doesn't have to cost any more money to the company, but the results could be less harmful to BOTH groups.

 

[WildcatFan]

I, too, get tired of hearing about the money. Money doesn't buy time at home. When you're on reserve for a decade, the money doesn't give you your life back.

When I flew corporate jets, I flew plenty of people who were worth tens or hundreds of millions. I also saw a lot of screwed up kids . . . . Kids who needed their Dad to be home more, instead of out chasing the almighty dollar.

I am assuming then that for you AT guys that since money isnt important you are willing to forgo any Captain upgrades? Why not just stay at the first job you held? The vast majority of airline pilots upgrade when they can even though it results in crushing seniority loss. I wonder why?

Another question: If SWA pilots could flip a switch and kill the enitire acquisition, call the whole thing off, we would in a heartbeat. It is a hypothetical sure, but the question is would you? You would keep what you have, go back to negotiating your sect6 and preparing for strike without having SWA "interfere." I think the answer would be telling. In fact, if GK went to your group last summer pre-buyout and granted unconditional offers of employment right to the bottom of our list many AT pilots would have left in droves.

 

[redflyer65]

Another question: If SWA pilots could flip a switch and kill the enitire acquisition, call the whole thing off, we would in a heartbeat. It is a hypothetical sure, but the question is would you? You would keep what you have, go back to negotiating your sect6 and preparing for strike without having SWA "interfere." I think the answer would be telling. In fact, if GK went to your group last summer pre-buyout and granted unconditional offers of employment right to the bottom of our list many AT pilots would have left in droves.

Ohhh, the hindsight.

But absolutely correct.

RF

 

[Just thinking]

"Isn't this what you are bringing to this so called "merger"? So your contract that you bring to this deal is a "glaring issue with SL9"?

Feeling a little entitled?"...................

That was not the intent of my response. I was responding to posts that AT pilots were gaining many of the work rules and scheduling improvements that SWA pilots working under. It seemed to me that many SWA pilots believe that SL9 was bringing their contract to the AT pilots.

I do not feel entitled.

I will patiently wait for a negotiated/mediated or arbitrated decision. Many of the things that have happened in my life have been way outside my sphere of influence. Challenges will always be around the next corner. I focus on the things that I can improve upon. I work to be productive while I am away from my family. I take care of the customers and crew. My post was an effort to bring to light some of the short comings that SL9 posed for the AT pilot group.

 

[General Lee]

When someone is using pay scales and money to justify anything in this business, I'll point to UAL/Delta/USAirways pay scales on September 10, 2001 and then point them to pay scales on August 31, 2011, and invite them to enjoy annual pay snapshots every year since then.

No dog in this fight though...

How about management payscales?


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[General Lee]

I am assuming then that for you AT guys that since money isnt important you are willing to forgo any Captain upgrades? Why not just stay at the first job you held? The vast majority of airline pilots upgrade when they can even though it results in crushing seniority loss. I wonder why?

Another question: If SWA pilots could flip a switch and kill the enitire acquisition, call the whole thing off, we would in a heartbeat. It is a hypothetical sure, but the question is would you? You would keep what you have, go back to negotiating your sect6 and preparing for strike without having SWA "interfere." I think the answer would be telling. In fact, if GK went to your group last summer pre-buyout and granted unconditional offers of employment right to the bottom of our list many AT pilots would have left in droves.

This is the problem. SWA pilots thought they could kill any deal. They supposedly did it with F9, but this Airtran merger has already progressed to the point where integration has started. Also, GK has to report to a BOD, who wants what is best for the shareholders, not pilots. You need to quit thinking that you have a big say in mergers. If GK thinks it is better for the airline as a whole, he will probably do it, or face the BOD and stockholders.



Bye Bye---General Lee

 

[redflyer65]

If GK thinks it is better for the airline as a whole, he will probably do it,

Gen,

We finaly agree. Watch how Gary handles this...he won't flush 40yrs of SW history on this deal.

RF

 

[Andy]

This is the problem. SWA pilots thought they could kill any deal. They supposedly did it with F9, but this Airtran merger has already progressed to the point where integration has started. Also, GK has to report to a BOD, who wants what is best for the shareholders, not pilots. You need to quit thinking that you have a big say in mergers. If GK thinks it is better for the airline as a whole, he will probably do it, or face the BOD and stockholders.



Bye Bye---General Lee

GL, that's the way most companies work. If you look at SWA's BOD, you'll note that there are several Southwest executives on the BOD. Nepotism/Good 'ol buy network is always a factor in BODs. Moreso at Southwest.
I don't expect either the BOD or the stockholders to kick out GK if things go south on this deal. Both the BOD and shareholders are more supportive of Southwest management than Berkshire Hathaway stockholders. And I've attended a Berkshire stockholders meeting - Warren and Charlie are demigods.