Airtran MEC voted no

[WildcatFan]

Not many times you see guys with the guts to turn down a deal guaranteeing millions more in career earnings. Guaranteed, until now. They got balls, I'll give them that.

I guess now we will see who knows SWA managment better: ATNALPA or SWAPA.

I for one am relieved. I think the AT MEC counted their chickens before they were hatched. SWA came with the carrot, we will see if there is a stick. Our group is now unified and I suspect the company is indignant, though I can't really speak for them.

I do know this: SWAPA has never come close to putting GK in a box in ANY negotiation. Maybe AT has faith an arbitrator will be able to. Personally, I think its a hail mary with the risk of interception when they could have just took a knee and won the game.

 

[Fly-diver]

Thank you God for answering my prayers. For you good guys at AAI, I'm sorry. You didn't ask for this either, and you don't deserve what's gonna happen next.

 

[ATLplt]

As Gary would say -

It's ON!

So much for ever having a shot at a harmonious workplace.

Gup

Why is that? Be mad at the arbitrator's decision when the time comes, not the pilot groups. Now, a panel of neutrals look at the facts and make a decision. Neither side may like what comes out, but collectively we can blame the panel and move on with life.

 

[JumpJetter]

No we are gonna blame you

 

[Lear70]

Lear, good luck buddy, our BOD has emphatically stated the negotiations are over, no room to mediate if YOUR side already agreed in principle.

Now, a last minute deal, maybe, but consider this: Gary has never improved upon a negotiated deal, the results after a group has rejected his first offer have always been less, with every employee group confronted. Think about that.

Thanks, I appreciate it... good luck to us ALL. It's tough living in uncertain times, hopefully we all stay respectful of each other through the process. We are all but one vote individually in two airlines that will have to figure it out.

To your 2nd point, I remember your last negotiation wanted Scope at nearly all costs, and the deal was voted down very narrowly. When GK came back, there was less money on the table, but you got the Scope you wanted. Is that a fair synopsis?

I see this as a similar deal. We may get less money (717 rates may be less, but they're only here for 6-10 more years and guys will come off them and onto the 737 as they're retired), and we may not get your pay rates until we complete training (a delay of up to 2 years for some of our most junior pilots), but if there's better seniority for us out of it? It may be worth it.

Only time will tell...

 

[Kharma Police]

As Gary would say -

It's ON!

So much for ever having a shot at a harmonious workplace.

Gup

I'm confused, you and others said they hated this deal and wanted this to go to arbitration. I'm guessing you guys were just too scared to stand up to Daddy and say, "no"?

 

[Fubijaakr]

Thank you God for answering my prayers. For you good guys at AAI, I'm sorry. You didn't ask for this either, and you don't deserve what's gonna happen next.

Better keep your crow eating fork ready. It could happen to YOU.

 

[shagadelic]

Why is that? Be mad at the arbitrator's decision when the time comes, not the pilot groups. Now, a panel of neutrals look at the facts and make a decision. Neither side may like what comes out, but collectively we can blame the panel and move on with life.

Ya, that's gonna happen. :uzi:

 

[DougCorp-9]

The integration is happening. You can't take more than 8% of our ASM's. Gary is not going to sell us off.... blah blah blah. Every merger goes to arbitration, that is just the way it is. When it is all said and done we will live with it. Does SWAPA not plan on abiding by the process agreement and not accepting the arbitrators award? If not then how noble of them.

 

[madjack]

Neither side may like what comes out, but collectively we can blame the panel and move on with life.

I hope so, but Mr Kelly's plans have been derailed by ALPA/AAI. I suppose the logic is that AAI pilots may get more $$ prearby or better seniority at arby...but Mr Kelly still has the problem of supporting his newest employees while maintaining the loyalty of his existing pilots...if he let's an arbitrator decide the fate and the results of the award are less than the AIP, he must choose who to support...you have made his job harder, and I am glad that your side did it vs ours...