Airtran may not give up

[FlyWolf]

Well there's at least ONE good piece of news in all that.

Lear70, if you think Delta reducing capacity in Atlanta which is your main hub, is good news, and you know that some of the 4th quarter loss Airtran posted was due to Delta increasing capacity in Atlanta, you should be VERY happy that your management is pushing for this deal with Midwest and trying to get a couple of other bases outside of Atlanta.

I do know very well where you stand in the merger issue, "and I don't blame you since I have been dreaming about the left seat here for a decade", but I also know the stronger the company you work for the more stable is your own job.

I am sure you see your management is pushing very hard for this deal, there must be a reason. Think about it.

I personally was one of the few who kept an open mind and was even excited sometimes about the whole deal but after our union last letter, I do hope for your sake and mine that this deal doesn't go through now. (not that we can do anything to change the outcome anyway)

Said that, I wish you guys all the best

 

[Lear70]

Yeah, I saw that letter - our MEC got it out to the P2P guys (I don't know why they never distributed it via blast email or posted it on the NPA site for people to see).

It was very interesting, especially considering it came pretty quickly after your MEC had a pow-wow with our MEC. Wonder if the Midwest MEC considered it a "negative" meeting and if that was any basis for the later change of position?

One can only speculate...

As far as us needing another hub; you're preaching to the choir. I agree 100%. I'm *hoping* that STL works out and we can do more West-Coast ramp-up with it.

I also like that DAL is backing off again. They lose big-time every time they try to match our fares (simply because of their CASM, which post-BR we'll STILL be quite a bit lower).

The combination of those two will, hopefully, make for an even MORE profitable year in 2007. Especially if we can avoid fast-food promotions, concentrate on a REAL and EFFECTIVE marketing strategy, and keep our airplanes out of the mud.

I also look to see a lot more contract progress made 2nd or 3rd quarter. This time next year we might actually be working under a new (and more lucrative) Agreement!

Good luck to you guys, too! I'll support whatever happens (like you said, not much choice in the matter), and might as well make the best of it. :beer:

 

[FlyWolf]

Especially if we can avoid fast-food promotions

LOL, Agree

 

[FlyWolf]

It was very interesting, especially considering it came pretty quickly after your MEC had a pow-wow with our MEC. Wonder if the Midwest MEC considered it a "negative" meeting and if that was any basis for the later change of position?

No, not at all, as a matter of fact here is what our union mentioned in the last letter:

"Midwest MEC indicated that the Midwest pilot group will continue to work with the AirTran pilots across company lines regardless of whether a merger occurs. “As AirTran pilots continue with their negotiations, we will help them achieve the best possible contract. Midwest pilots are preparing for negotiations next year, and every pilot group that achieves its contract goals enhances our collective strength at the bargaining table,” they said"

 

[fletch717]

I had a conversation with Bob F. (#2) on friday night. He indicated this deal is far from over. I asked what our prognosis would be if this deal does'nt happen. He said we are not in any financial trouble and would continue with our business plan to expand. I think our flexibility is key here. If the medex deal does'nt go, we will move in a different direction.

Fletch

 

[FlyWolf]

I had a conversation with Bob F. (#2) on friday night. He indicated this deal is far from over. I asked what our prognosis would be if this deal does'nt happen. He said we are not in any financial trouble and would continue with our business plan to expand. I think our flexibility is key here. If the medex deal does'nt go, we will move in a different direction.

Fletch

I tend to agree, Airtran management especially Bob F. know what they are doing and I am sure they have plan B.

 

[Lear70]

NO, no, no... that's Plan F.

Haven't you been paying attention? I'm KIDDING!

That's really strange about the info you got from your MEC; it must have been different than the Resolution (# 070118-21) or the Fast Read dated 01/25/07. I just read both of those again, and that wasn't in there...?

 

[FlyWolf]

hmmm...let me check

 

[FlyWolf]

Lear, it was an ALPA fast read dated 01/26/2007 that I mentioned, is it the one you saw?

 

[Lear70]

No, the one I got was dated 01/25 and is labeled "final".

Maybe it wasn't final after all and we only got a draft. Would like to see the newest one if it's more positive. The one we got wasn't necessarily "negative", but it WAS definitely anti-merger/acquisition and didn't mention anything in support of our negotiations.

I'd post it here but since it IS technically an ALPA document, it might be considered proprietary for non-ALPA members. Would have to have one of your MEC members tell me they didn't mind it on a public board.

 

[FlyWolf]

I agree, thats why I didn't want to post the whole document in here.

 

[FlyWolf]

I wonder where is Eagle757 tonight, haven't seen him for a while, must be flying

 

[fletch717]

You two need to get a room

 

[400ADude]

I had a conversation with Bob F. (#2) on friday night. He indicated this deal is far from over. I asked what our prognosis would be if this deal does'nt happen. He said we are not in any financial trouble and would continue with our business plan to expand. I think our flexibility is key here. If the medex deal does'nt go, we will move in a different direction.

Fletch

As they say, "The only direction left is up!"

 

[Lear70]

Whasamatta?

Jealous?