Airtran has reached a tentative agreement!!

[Skyboy722]

No problem. I'm sure there will always be room for career gear-slingers who are too afraid or too lazy to advance in their career. Maybe the CA will hold your hand. :laugh:

I'm laughing in advance about the list you'll quickly find yourself on at Southwest, and the wonderful treatment you'll receive.:laugh:

 

[Mongolikecandy]

No problem. I'm sure there will always be room for career gear-slingers who are too afraid or too lazy to advance in their career. Maybe the CA will hold your hand. :laugh:

Nevermind.

 

[Nindiri]

I'm laughing in advance about the list you'll quickly find yourself on at Southwest, and the wonderful treatment you'll receive.:laugh:

I'll cry all the way to the bank.

 

[Nindiri]

Man, I hope I never fly with you. I got in this business to make money and provide for my family.

Wow, you sure picked the wrong occupation. :laugh:

 

[Daddy]

Well, yes, as a matter of fact, ego does play a part. Maybe you're happy spending your entire career in the right seat letting the CA make all the hard decisions, and I guess that's fine if all you're interested in is money. But I want both, the money I deserve and command. I didn't work my butt off all those years just to be a career gear-slinger.

But to each, his own, I suppose.

Command? Is this really command to you? Really? That about as believable as taking a dump and calling yourself a submarine squadron commander. You're an airline pilot, dude...it's all completely spoonfed...it aint rocket science. It's getting paid to fly and not work...still the best job in the world, but command? As Keyshawn would say, "aw, c'mon man!"

 

[Nindiri]

Command? Is this really command to you? Really? That about as believable as taking a dump and calling yourself a submarine squadron commander. You're an airline pilot, dude...it's all completely spoonfed...it aint rocket science. It's getting paid to fly and not work...still the best job in the world, but command? As Keyshawn would say, "aw, c'mon man!"

Afraid of a little responsibility? Okay. Don't worry, the gate agent will tell you what to do at the gate, and the dispatcher will be there for you after pushback. But don't start complaining on here about the company not respecting captain's authority. It's kind of a moot point when you don't even want to be a capt.

 

[Lear70]

Moderator hat off:

First, Gup is a stand-up guy. He's been on the forum a LONG time, and I, for one, will enjoy getting the chance to fly with him. Can't say the same thing about ALL the SWA people on here, there's always a select few, on BOTH sides of the fence, that you'll bid around, but you're barking up the wrong tree with Gup. YMMV.

As far as information, had a private chat with Linden briefly today (they're concerned about my analysis I plan on doing). He and Doughboy and a couple other NC peeps were in the crew room in between my flight in and my commute. The timeline appears to be:

Mon-Tues next week (25th, 26th)- NC works with company to clean up the exact language for the T.A., paragraph formatting, proper paragraph references (remember T.A.'s 1 & 2 that referenced non-existent paragraphs and such? Not cool).

Wed - MEC meets to go over exact details of finalized T.A. and vote. This may stretch into a 2nd day. 27th, maybe 28th.

Fri - Mon - Finalized T.A., if approved by the MEC, goes to printers. No "here's your C.D., print it on your own dime" crap. Full T.A. copies at Road shows. Road show schedule published. (29th - Nov 1st).

Tuesday (maybe Wednesday) - Road shows begin, T.A. released electronically and in paper form. (Nov 2nd or 3rd).

Road shows run for 2 weeks. Voting begins on Nov 15th for two weeks. Voting ends Nov 30th. Pay rates and most contract changes, if ratified begin Dec 1st. Some scheduling section items such as LCR, etc, don't happen until Jan 1st (so they can build the lines in December for January with the proper LCR lines with Buildups eliminated). The bucket system will not be implemented until May 1st, due to the new scheduling software that will have to be purchased, integrated, etc for them to have it available to the individual pilots in real time.

That's as much as I have for now that's available for public dissemination. Please do NOT PM or eMail me for more, I ain't gonna tell you and to tell the truth, it's not that much more information than what's already circulating.

 

[Clyde Frog]

You're an airline pilot, dude...it's all completely spoonfed...it aint rocket science. "

No wonder this profession is headed down the crapper.

As far as your employer and the Feds are concerned, there absolutely is a command position (PIC) and his every action will be under a microscope if things go south.

 

[Nindiri]

Lear, if I PM or eMail you, will you send me more info?

 

[OldManPilot]

No wonder this profession is headed down the crapper.

As far as your employer and the Feds are concerned, there absolutely is a command position (PIC) and his every action will be under a microscope if things go south.

Along with the guy/gal sitting to his/her right.

 

[Benjamin Dover]

If those are the rates, it's an automatic NO vote for me. That coupled with some of the other crap they already announced, like Sick Leave, Hotels, Vacation and this gets flushed. We didn't give the MEC/NC a 98% strike vote and the tightest unity this airline has ever seen to be handed a POS TA. AirTran Management can easily afford Alaska + X%...the bonuses they give to themselves clearly proves that.

Was kind of wondering about all those other things besides pay rates that get all the press. How are the hotels at AT and how much do you pay for healthcare? Not flamin' just curious.

 

[Clyde Frog]

Hotels vary, insurance is expensive.

 

[Skyboy722]

Afraid of a little responsibility? Okay. Don't worry, the gate agent will tell you what to do at the gate, and the dispatcher will be there for you after pushback. But don't start complaining on here about the company not respecting captain's authority. It's kind of a moot point when you don't even want to be a capt.

Wow. You're cool dude. I think you have a steaming suitcase in your future.:laugh:

 

[boxjockey]

"Good day Mr. Chip, I'd like you to meet someone............. this is Shoulder, Mr. Shoulder." Some people need a hobby more than others....

box

 

[GuppyWN]

Thanks Lear,

I was going to defend myself but it sounds better coming from my future brothers. You know, the ones with the sense of humor.

As far as Mr. Captain Nindiri, I've been IN COMMAND at Southwest for a few years. If I could support my family and secure my future as well from the right seat as I do in the left seat I'd do it in a heartbeat!

IN COMMAND means a few things. Let me list a couple for you -

• being the referee between the A and C flight attendant
• kicking the drunks off that the gate agents wanted out of their hair
• asking dispatch why they think it's a good idea to land w/ 5.3 when they have an alternate listed
• writing reports for diverts caused by XXX
• writing reports for unruly passengers
• coordinating for mx
• running for food for your crew because they don't get a break
• 2 checkrides a year
• line checks

Let's get one thing clear. This job is a team sport. I rely on the FO to keep me honest and not let me get him in trouble. I NEED him, probably much more than he needs me. I need his sense of humor, his perspective and his goodwill.

I hope when you finally do make Captain you realize those 4 stripes on your shoulder mean one thing - you got hired before the professional aviator sitting at your right. Every time I think I'm some crack aviator I fly with a guy that spent 20 years at Delta or USAir that reminds me that I'm just a kid that gets to live my dream hoping I can be as good as he is.

Enjoy the ride.
Gup

 

[Nindiri]

Relax, Guppy, I have great respect for my FO's. Feel free to ask any of them. And I've been a captain long enough that you can keep your condescending lecture to yourself. My initial response was due to the idea that I should just shutup and be happy in the right seat.

But I am always amazed by people who have so little ambition that they don't want to upgrade. I mean, even if you're interested in nothing but money, you should want to move over to the left seat for the raise. Like I said, though, everyone should do whatever makes them happy there. Personally, I love flying, and I love the challenge and responsibilities that go with being PIC. I guess I'm just not bitter and cynical enough yet. Or maybe I'm just not cool enough to go around saying how I wish I could stay in the right seat forever. Beats me.

Anyway, this whole line of thought is getting a little creepy, what with references to bodily functions and whatever. Better to get it back to the original topic.

 

[swa737-700]

Relax, Guppy, I have great respect for my FO's. Feel free to ask any of them. And I've been a captain long enough that you can keep your condescending lecture to yourself. My initial response was due to the idea that I should just shutup and be happy in the right seat.

But I am always amazed by people who have so little ambition that they don't want to upgrade. I mean, even if you're interested in nothing but money, you should want to move over to the left seat for the raise. Like I said, though, everyone should do whatever makes them happy there. Personally, I love flying, and I love the challenge and responsibilities that go with being PIC. I guess I'm just not bitter and cynical enough yet. Or maybe I'm just not cool enough to go around saying how I wish I could stay in the right seat forever. Beats me.

Anyway, this whole line of thought is getting a little creepy, what with references to bodily functions and whatever. Better to get it back to the original topic.

Captain,

I hope you change your tune real quick...at least before you get to SWA. You won't last very long here with your lousy attitude. I am surprised AT folks have tolerated you this long. The job is supposed to be fun. Stop taking yourself so seriously. Geez.

 

[Lear70]

Now don't be going off on Nindiri, either. He's not a bad guy, just got rubbed the wrong way, along with a lot of other Captains at AirTran being told "Hey, you're going to get a pay raise, and there's no way you're going to keep your Captain seat, so just shut up and like it."

You wouldn't like being told that, either.

Regardless, it's just not going to happen like that. There will NOT be a wholesale loss of Captain's seats at AirTran with the SLI. Just not part of "fair and equitable" as established past precedent with SLI's the last few years. There IS something to be said for enjoying being in the left seat. We all want to be there, whether it's financial reasons or our own personal, professional goals (I'm pretty sure none of us went to bed at night as kids dreaming about being a career F/O).

Relax, ladies and gents. All this will happen when it happens and HOW it happens, and not a minute sooner or differently than our MC's or an arbitrator figures out. :beer:

 

[Lear70]

Actually unless SWAPA takes action for a side letter to change the current wording in our contract....as soon as they become owned by SWA they come under our contract. This means they get our duty rigs, pay , etc.....

Source?

Seriously, I'd like to verify that last part of your statement and its contractual language paragraph and page, please from your current CBA.

Because it sounds like you're saying your current contract at Southwest basically gives us Southwest pay and work rules on Date Of Corporate Closing, and I had been told directly from our Merger Committee that those details were to be worked out in the Bridge Agreement.

If there's contractual language in the Southwest contract that says otherwise, I'd like to know about it. Thanks.

 

[shootr]

Source?

Seriously, I'd like to verify that last part of your statement and its contractual language paragraph and page, please from your current CBA.

Because it sounds like you're saying your current contract at Southwest basically gives us Southwest pay and work rules on Date Of Corporate Closing, and I had been told directly from our Merger Committee that those details were to be worked out in the Bridge Agreement.

If there's contractual language in the Southwest contract that says otherwise, I'd like to know about it. Thanks.

It's not correct. Must be on list and contract within 2 years. Sooner is possible.