Quiet Flight
I love your mom.
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2006
- Posts
- 489
May 31, 2013
Fellow Pilots,
As you have probably seen or heard, there has been, yet, another change to the transition plan by Southwest Airlines. (God forbid we allow this company to adapt to their needs. We come first.) We were made aware of the plan late this week and the MEC has been digesting the information (puking uncontrollably) to figure out what it means to our pilot group and how, if at all, it impacts our pending Dispute Resolution Agreement (DRA) claim. (Cue violin music...NOW!) Among the biggest changes mentioned in this new announcement is that there will not be any training for current B-737 pilots to the B-717. While we are still sifting through the chain of events this new plan creates; MCO B-737 captains that bid for, and were awarded TBA/717/CA feel the immediate harm. (Tell that to all the RSW F/O?s these hacks were placed in front of.)
In the transition plan that was published in FLiCA on January 30, 2013, the plan was for these captains, as well as the first officers awarded to the B-717, to be trained on the B-717 in August and September as the Company closed down the MCO B-737 base. (Ain't gonna happen. Too bad, so sad.) According to the plan, these pilots would have remained on the AirTran side of the partition, they would have remained captains (Oops), and they would have continued to earn captain pay (Bigger oops. Guess they should have bid over sooner instead of hiding out at the Tranny. Talk about a backfire.). In addition, based on the information provided to them by the Company in January, vacations have been booked and life decisions have been made that, now, must be changed on a dime (Whaa, whaa, whaa. Get over it you nutless monkeys.). In short, real harm has been done to AirTran pilots now, not just post January 1, 2015. (Again with this "harm" crap?)
While we provided ideas and suggestions on how the transition of B-717 pilots should occur (SWA doesn't listen to regional airline pilots.), we didn?t know exactly how the Company's plans would be executed (Surprise. They certainly wouldn't include you in the process. We covered this in the previous sentence.). We knew that at some point the Company would have to do something regarding the transition of pilots awarded TBA/717. After much discussion (And more horrible legal advice from ALPA attorneys) last summer, a DRA claim was filed in September of 2012 that would help determine how pilots awarded TBA/717 would be transitioned. Because SWAPA believes that AirTran pilots do not have a right to the DRA process, many months have been spent awaiting arbitration on the jurisdiction of our claim (This is what happens when you let lawyers do your bidding.). This delay has only exacerbated the frustration and disappointment that many of you continually voice to the MEC. And, while the MEC shares your frustration (Except for those MEC members who were smart enough to have already jumped off of Stinkhole Island.) regarding the continued uncertainty and inability to find answers to questions regarding financial and quality of life decisions for AirTran pilots, please don't let this become a distraction on the line. Keep in mind that all AirTran pilots will be SWAPA members, at some point, and that this transition will (eventually) end?even while the dispute claims may go on. (Yes, by all means let's keep this crap up after we're all at SWA. We will certainly make a proud name for ourselves by doing so. It takes more than apathy to remain the proverbial turd in the part 121 punchbowl. Fight on!)
The MEC understands that the industry is fluid and incredibly dynamic. (Could've fooled me?) We, of course, want Southwest Airlines to be successful and profitable. As demonstrated by our safe and efficient operation, as well as our continued professionalism, we believe that AirTran and our pilots have proven ourselves to be reliable partners in its success. However, any plan that causes further harm (Oh you're going to make so many friends with the check airman and captains at swa. Buy extra Christmas cards this year!) to the AirTran pilots, as this plan does, cannot be considered a viable solution (Says who?). While we recognize the changes made by the Company may help them operationally, the Company must also be prepared to honor the commitments that it made to the AirTran pilots. These issues?many of which are the direct result of management decisions?must be rectified for our Company to truly reach its potential. We need to find real solutions to avoid the drain caused by lasting divisions among employees (Why don't you guys stop whining and put your big boy pants on and get to work? That would do a lot more to "stop the drain" than constantly putting out crap claiming Trannies have been harmed or encouraging your pilots to continue to fight after they are at SWA and AirTran is nothing but a memory. Get...over...it.). That is our goal as we continue to represent our pilots. (Not for much longer?)
In the meantime, we will be analyzing how these changes impact our outstanding DRA claim and whether or not a new claim will need to be filed in order to protect our rights (Here you go again trannies. I suggest canning ALPA ASAP and pressing on like men.). We will, of course, keep you updated on any additional changes we receive and any other relevant news.
Thank you and fly safe,
Your ATN Master Executive Council (Until we jump ship for more money and a better life at SWA.)
Mark Hatten, Chairman :bawling:
Tom Giovannelli, Vice Chairman :bawling:
Clark Trobaugh, Secretary-Treasurer :bawling:
Jim Gallagher, Capt. Representative :bawling:
Jim Sullivan, Capt. Representative :bawling:
Keeth Badger, F/O Representative
Kris Takle, F/O Representative :bawling:
Matt Griffin, MCO Mailbox Stuffer :bawling:
:uzi:
Fellow Pilots,
As you have probably seen or heard, there has been, yet, another change to the transition plan by Southwest Airlines. (God forbid we allow this company to adapt to their needs. We come first.) We were made aware of the plan late this week and the MEC has been digesting the information (puking uncontrollably) to figure out what it means to our pilot group and how, if at all, it impacts our pending Dispute Resolution Agreement (DRA) claim. (Cue violin music...NOW!) Among the biggest changes mentioned in this new announcement is that there will not be any training for current B-737 pilots to the B-717. While we are still sifting through the chain of events this new plan creates; MCO B-737 captains that bid for, and were awarded TBA/717/CA feel the immediate harm. (Tell that to all the RSW F/O?s these hacks were placed in front of.)
In the transition plan that was published in FLiCA on January 30, 2013, the plan was for these captains, as well as the first officers awarded to the B-717, to be trained on the B-717 in August and September as the Company closed down the MCO B-737 base. (Ain't gonna happen. Too bad, so sad.) According to the plan, these pilots would have remained on the AirTran side of the partition, they would have remained captains (Oops), and they would have continued to earn captain pay (Bigger oops. Guess they should have bid over sooner instead of hiding out at the Tranny. Talk about a backfire.). In addition, based on the information provided to them by the Company in January, vacations have been booked and life decisions have been made that, now, must be changed on a dime (Whaa, whaa, whaa. Get over it you nutless monkeys.). In short, real harm has been done to AirTran pilots now, not just post January 1, 2015. (Again with this "harm" crap?)
While we provided ideas and suggestions on how the transition of B-717 pilots should occur (SWA doesn't listen to regional airline pilots.), we didn?t know exactly how the Company's plans would be executed (Surprise. They certainly wouldn't include you in the process. We covered this in the previous sentence.). We knew that at some point the Company would have to do something regarding the transition of pilots awarded TBA/717. After much discussion (And more horrible legal advice from ALPA attorneys) last summer, a DRA claim was filed in September of 2012 that would help determine how pilots awarded TBA/717 would be transitioned. Because SWAPA believes that AirTran pilots do not have a right to the DRA process, many months have been spent awaiting arbitration on the jurisdiction of our claim (This is what happens when you let lawyers do your bidding.). This delay has only exacerbated the frustration and disappointment that many of you continually voice to the MEC. And, while the MEC shares your frustration (Except for those MEC members who were smart enough to have already jumped off of Stinkhole Island.) regarding the continued uncertainty and inability to find answers to questions regarding financial and quality of life decisions for AirTran pilots, please don't let this become a distraction on the line. Keep in mind that all AirTran pilots will be SWAPA members, at some point, and that this transition will (eventually) end?even while the dispute claims may go on. (Yes, by all means let's keep this crap up after we're all at SWA. We will certainly make a proud name for ourselves by doing so. It takes more than apathy to remain the proverbial turd in the part 121 punchbowl. Fight on!)
The MEC understands that the industry is fluid and incredibly dynamic. (Could've fooled me?) We, of course, want Southwest Airlines to be successful and profitable. As demonstrated by our safe and efficient operation, as well as our continued professionalism, we believe that AirTran and our pilots have proven ourselves to be reliable partners in its success. However, any plan that causes further harm (Oh you're going to make so many friends with the check airman and captains at swa. Buy extra Christmas cards this year!) to the AirTran pilots, as this plan does, cannot be considered a viable solution (Says who?). While we recognize the changes made by the Company may help them operationally, the Company must also be prepared to honor the commitments that it made to the AirTran pilots. These issues?many of which are the direct result of management decisions?must be rectified for our Company to truly reach its potential. We need to find real solutions to avoid the drain caused by lasting divisions among employees (Why don't you guys stop whining and put your big boy pants on and get to work? That would do a lot more to "stop the drain" than constantly putting out crap claiming Trannies have been harmed or encouraging your pilots to continue to fight after they are at SWA and AirTran is nothing but a memory. Get...over...it.). That is our goal as we continue to represent our pilots. (Not for much longer?)
In the meantime, we will be analyzing how these changes impact our outstanding DRA claim and whether or not a new claim will need to be filed in order to protect our rights (Here you go again trannies. I suggest canning ALPA ASAP and pressing on like men.). We will, of course, keep you updated on any additional changes we receive and any other relevant news.
Thank you and fly safe,
Your ATN Master Executive Council (Until we jump ship for more money and a better life at SWA.)
Mark Hatten, Chairman :bawling:
Tom Giovannelli, Vice Chairman :bawling:
Clark Trobaugh, Secretary-Treasurer :bawling:
Jim Gallagher, Capt. Representative :bawling:
Jim Sullivan, Capt. Representative :bawling:
Keeth Badger, F/O Representative
Kris Takle, F/O Representative :bawling:
Matt Griffin, MCO Mailbox Stuffer :bawling:
:uzi:
Last edited:
