AAI & WN.....what's that gonna look like?

[OurMoney1]

Southwest wouldnt want to buy Airtran, especially with Delta as being its main rival. The only reason Southwest was able to be so successful was cause of their fuel hedges. Now that those hedges are gone their cost per seat mile isnt even close to Jetblue on comparison. All the airlines right now are waiting for somebody to fail so they can "grow" or "move in" to pick up the pieces. Right now all airlines are currently in damage control trying to survive a weak economy and fuel prices that are averaging 60-70 bucks all while trying to make money. Airtran and Delta already have a happy median. Southwest knows this and is one of the main reasons why they have not already come to ATL in the first place. Southwest does not have the money to battle a strong legacy carrier like Continental, Delta, or American airlines in the SAME CITY AIRPORT ON A LARGE SCALE. Also when I mean large scale I mean greater then 20% of the airport market share for all of you that will start screaming LAX or something. The only merger with Airtran that you would see Delta not go crazy over would be someone like Alaska airlines. At that point Delta would be able to codeshare with another airline in its hub to get stranded passengers out. If you notice lately Skyteam, Star Alliance, or One world are just starting to look like large airlines. I know what your thinking yes Southwest has over XX amount of billion in the bank. But let me ask you this, do you really think they will want to waste 30%, 40%, or even 50% of that money fighting for ATL? How much will they get out of the market of ATL? Would it reduce their cash flow to a dangerous level? Will they lose their credit ratings by taking such a risky move? Look at it this way if Southwest was thinking to buy Airtran would they be moving in to MKE to spend millions of dollars when they have plans all along to buy Airtran? Why would you spend money when you are already planning to acquire it? Doesnt make sense I think everyone knows that a Southwest merger with Airtran is nothing but a pipedream to some and a nightmare for others.

Well said....

SWA is sitting on a pile of cash with rising costs and with every passing quarter looking for new ways to generate revenue to keep their years of momentum going. The F9 deal should give you some insight as to what kind of deals they are hunting for. F9 was culturally in their footprint and would have given them an edge in DEN at a great price. No harsh words for my brothers at Airtran but your managment has done a job on your rank and file over the last 2 years. Your pilot group is united because of leaderships constant antics. Couple that with a profitable base line (that would not go at a bargain basement price) and it just doesn't look like something Gary and team would want to get involved in.

 

[OurMoney1]

deleted

 

[Ty Webb]

I would agree with that on the surface, but it took five years of Lorenzo-style tactics to push the pilots to the point we're at now.

Historically, the AAI pilots have been as productive and well-adjusted as any other pilot group, including SWA. Given a management team and corporate culture like SWA, this Pilot Group would fit in fine.

 

[Dude]

Hey OldManPilot,

If your "experience argument" were valid, then I'd be senior to every kernel on the property. Since it isn't, you get what you have negotiated or hired into.

Dude

 

[Juniority]

the real tragedy is....

....there's some poor woman (or guy, not that there's anything wrong with that) who has to spend their days and nights with PCL.

Can you imagine listening to this guy's opinions day after day. I only log in to Flightinfo about once a month and he's already got me looking around for a plastic fork to gouge my eyes out with.

 

[maxblast72]

The only reason since '71 was a few years worth of hedges?

Well for Southwest's first 30 years, they were the lowest cost provider. Now Southwest competes with Airtran, Jetblue, Frontier, and Virgin on a large scale. Might take a tweaking of the business model like adding busier airports like LGA, BOS, and MSP to gain enough revenue to return to consistent profitability.

The last 12 months have probably been some of the rockiest for Southwest. When was the last time Southwest has shrunk ASM 5-6% YOY and lost money 3 out of 4 quarters? As a well run airline with good employees, Southwest will find a way to return to consistent profitability.

 

[Quimby]

Well for Southwest's first 30 years, they were the lowest cost provider. Now Southwest competes with Airtran, Jetblue, Frontier, and Virgin on a large scale. Might take a tweaking of the business model like adding busier airports like LGA, BOS, and MSP to gain enough revenue to return to consistent profitability.

The last 12 months have probably been some of the rockiest for Southwest. When was the last time Southwest has shrunk ASM 5-6% YOY and lost money 3 out of 4 quarters? As a well run airline with good employees, Southwest will find a way to return to consistent profitability.

Just pointing out the oversimplification of his statement.

I agree with your post.

 

[Fubijaakr]

I think the original question on this thread was who would represent the pilots of the merged airline.

The answer: A representational election would be held with the options:

A. SWAPA
B. ALPA
C. No Union

 

[kwick]

You already did the math

 

[Secret Squirrel]

I think the original question on this thread was who would represent the pilots of the merged airline.

The answer: A representational election would be held with the options:

A. SWAPA
B. ALPA
C. No Union

I think our vote for ALPA was a vote against the NPA. There are MANY that were not happy with ALPA but less happy with the NPA. But in the long run as long as SWAPA does not sell out a majority of voters there is no way a small group of vocal ALPA supporters at AAI would be able to swing a victory. Hypothetically of course.

 

[Ty Webb]

It's hard to argue with success . . . and SWAPA has certainly been successful so far.

Here's another cliche- Don't fix what isn't broken. Now, the NPA? That was a soup sandwich. . . . . Am I right here, Donny?

 

[slaquer5]

there is no way a small group of vocal ALPA supporters at AAI would be able to swing a victory. Hypothetically of course.

Dont bet on it. Just get accorn to help you guys out and the voter turnout will have 10k votes for ALPA and 5900 for SWAPA

 

[bravodude]

I'm not so sure. I don't think our pilot group would necessarily be interested in 7:59 minute days filled with 20 minute turns. It's efficient as hell, but it's also a pain in the ass when you're at work.

If you mean a 2nd year fo working 15 days a month and making more then an airtran capt. a pain in the a$$ then I agree wtih you

 

[Ty Webb]

If you mean a 2nd year fo working 15 days a month and making more then an airtran capt. a pain in the a$$ then I agree wtih you

If the payscales below are correct, you would have to be a 6th year FO at SWA to make more than our most junior CA, who would also be at 6th year pay.

A 2001 hire at FL who upgraded in year 2 or three would have made more money at SWA in yr 1 and 2, but in 3-7 would have made more at FL, until your most recent pay raises.

Would the pilot have been happier at SWA? Quite possibly.

http://www.airlinepilotcentral.com/airlines/major-national-lcc/southwest.html