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Airtran Pilots Vote in Large Numbers

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FDJ2

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 9, 2003
Posts
3,908
AirTran Pilots Vote in Large Numbers
The membership ratification ballot for the merger of ALPA and the independent National Pilots Association (NPA), representative of 1700 AirTran pilots, began in dramatic fashion this week with almost 40 percent of AirTran pilots voting in the first 3 of 30 days that the ballot is open—a very heavy early voter turnout. The merger agreement was completed on February 19 and the NPA Board of Directors unanimously approved and endorsed the merger agreement.
More than 800 of the 1700 AirTran Airways pilots have now visited with ALPA to ask questions, get additional information from Delta, Continental, FedEx, Alaska, and ASA pilot volunteers and staff, and to express their support for the merger.
The Delta pilot leadership hosted a hospitality reception for AirTran pilots this past Thursday night in Atlanta. Other ALPA pilots are encouraged to welcome AirTran pilots and urge them to return their “yes” vote to merge with ALPA. The merger ballot will close on April 10 and ALPA’s governing bodies will consider approval during the month of April.​
 
I wonder if the people who are against the ALPA drive will say about that? Its going to be nice to see ALPA voted in by a landslide.
 
I wonder if the people who are against the ALPA drive will say about that? Its going to be nice to see ALPA voted in by a landslide.

The Airtran pilots deserve all the credit. From the rank and file to the leadership, they are doing a wonderful job leading and organizing this merger. The Aitran Machine!!!
 
"The Delta pilot leadership hosted a hospitality reception for AirTran pilots this past Thursday night in Atlanta."

Hmmm....Could it be that a "union merger" is not the only merger that's brewin' in ATL?
 
naw..it was a warm fuzzy meeting to show that we are all brothers under one union and that no matter what we are going to stick by each others sides.

I think I just sharted...

RV
 
naw..it was a warm fuzzy meeting to show that we are all brothers under one union and that no matter what we are going to stick by each others sides.

I think I just sharted...

RV


I dont think anyone could have said it better twepilot! I bet you said you sharted cause you were so excited about the turnout? I know we all are!
 
Interesting bit of trivia. Does anyone know what the scabs who worked for National Airlines called themselves during the 1948 Strike?

Drumroll......

National Pilot's Association
 
My guess, 75% cast a vote and ALPA passes with 75% of votes cast.

Trust me, I'm right about these things 75% of the time.
 
I am certain that ALPA will win by a landslide and my vote will be one of them pushing it in that direction. Most of the LINE pilots that I have spoken with have the following comments:
MEC guys are using their positions as a stepping stone from the LINE PILOT career to one with management or with the boys in Herndon Va.
The road shows are just that.... it is a show that is SELLING ALPA and that is all. They are providing information but for a reality check take the time to walk any of the other concourses and snag a double breasted pilot and ask them about their feelings.
I understand that it is the MEC and the pilots from Airtran Airways to control their own destiny. I am hoping that ALPA will provide some infrastructure for this pilot group and that we will have loyal leadership with integrity. This pilot group has been crapped on by management AND the NPA.
Trust but verify,
 
ALPA wins...

We better see a contract in 6-12 months.
Grievances to be heard in a couple of months.

TIME WILL TELL !! 03-15-09
 
any word on when you guys might resume interviews and.or hiring?
While the rumors are out there that the guys in the Alteon building have been told to be prepared to possibly interview this summer, the number of aircraft we currently have and are projected to have doesn't indicate any hiring is necessary unless Airtran plans on greatly increasing aircraft utilization (ie more than 12 hrs per day). According to the presentation at the JPMorgan conference last week, we have 136 aircraft on the property today and will only have 139-143 on the property at the end of 2011 (the 139-143 range is due to the fact that we are trying to sell 4 aircraft in 2009). The only deliveries we have over the next 3 years are 5 737's in 2011. It looks like the 25 Midwest 717's are going to end up at a Mexican airline and not Airtran.
 
My guess, 75% cast a vote and ALPA passes with 75% of votes cast.

Trust me, I'm right about these things 75% of the time.


Dude, your avatar should be in the Hall of Fame! Key the 70's porn sound track!:laugh:
 
ALPA wins...

We better see a contract in 6-12 months.
Grievances to be heard in a couple of months.

TIME WILL TELL !! 03-15-09
EXCELLENT!!!

That's the spirit! About time you came around. I'll forward your name on to the SPC and let them know you'll be available for informational picketing, will be attending all the MEC meetings and SPC events, and will be starting to save for your strike fund.

I'm assuming all that, because the only way you're going to see a contract that quick is if EVERY, SINGLE PILOT flies 100% BY THE BOOK and does ALL of the above.

Nothing will change until then. ALPA isn't a magic bullet; it's infrastructure, financing, and leadership-building skills to get the elected leaders to LEAD the LINE PILOTS to FIGHT for a contract.

Put your money where your mouth is...
 
Congratulations AirTran Pilots!

You've got what you want now. Make it work! Good Luck.
 
Hold on guys, it ain't over yet. The numbers are encouraging to this point. But we need all the pilots to get out and vote. April 10th is the magic day and I for one can't wait to see the results that afternoon! So those who haven't voted, take a moment and VOTE!
 
""Nothing will change until then. ALPA isn't a magic bullet; it's infrastructure, financing, and leadership-building skills to get the elected leaders to LEAD the LINE PILOTS to FIGHT for a contract.""

To get the elected leaders to lead??? I have ask =Who would that be???
I bet the next person will be in office a little over a year and be gone ONCE again.

The same resources that USAIR said thanks but no thanks. The same resources that you worked with at PCL and they STILL have no contract. That is what I call a GREAT RESOURCE!!

Informational picketing that is something we should have been doing long time ago. But everyone here just wants to STRIKE and close the doors. WEll first of all (a little education) in a strike EVERYONE LOSES!!!! Tell us all, where are you going to get a job? What would the airline be called the next month? With a huge number of the same pilots?

The only way to show any mgt team is the employees come together, and show them who runs the airline. ASA I believe taxied at about 2 knots for 2 weeks, and FLEW very SAFE. I remember hearing number 32 in line for MX.?? It was amazing 2 weeks later (after 6 long years and many breaks of the contract) we had a contract.

No thanks to ALPA=the attorney there is like our sweet Laura!! Need our money back!

Look at ALPA's past to look into the future !

I ask people to call all their friends at other airlines and ask them about ALPA. GET INFORMED !
Or call AA or SWA and ask them why they never voted in the best resources out there?
 
To get the elected leaders to lead??? I have ask =Who would that be???
I bet the next person will be in office a little over a year and be gone ONCE again.
Under an MEC structure, the MEC members vote for who that person will be. Neither you nor I get much say in it. However, if they vacate a voting position to do it, then you get to vote someone new in.

The same resources that USAIR said thanks but no thanks.
Ummm, wrong tie-in, hoss. You might want to take another look-see at HOW an WHY the UAir guys got rid of ALPA. Here's a hint: it had nothing to do with representation and everything to do with voiding Nicolau. Next subject.

The same resources that you worked with at PCL and they STILL have no contract. That is what I call a GREAT RESOURCE!!
Same problem there. Pilot group won't stand up and fight the fight that MUST be had to get anywhere.

Informational picketing that is something we should have been doing long time ago.
Good, then you WILL volunteer. I'll let Chilla know, great!

But everyone here just wants to STRIKE and close the doors. WEll first of all (a little education) in a strike EVERYONE LOSES!!!! Tell us all, where are you going to get a job? What would the airline be called the next month? With a huge number of the same pilots?
Are you insane or did you just not pay attention to how strikes work?

You don't have to completely close the doors. The most effective method of strike, once released, is the CHAOS strike. Every day, the MEC decides on what routes and what aircraft the strikes for that day will be. The airline continues to function, BUT... you take out 8-10% of their revenue every day and force them to play catch-up for the rest of the week trying to rebook everyone. The passengers still get where they're going, it just takes a little longer. Collateral damage, sorry.

You don't bankrupt the airline, you just spend a month costing them more every day in rebooking fees, lost good will from the pasengers, advance booking drops, and refunds than they can ever hope to make back inside the year. It's effective, leaves employees still working, and really inflicts maximum damage with minimum risk.

Eventually, management would call our bluff, and lock us out. At that point, you sit and wait and see who blinks first. The shareholders are NOT going to let AirTran fold. They'll lose everything; unlike Eastern, we are NOT worth more in pieces than as a whole, functioning airline. They'll force Bob and Kolski to hammer out an agreement.

Will it be painful? Yes. Is it the end of the world as we know it? No. Life goes on. I'm living proof that you can move on. Maybe not nearly as great as it was, but there's still life after AirTran.

The only way to show any mgt team is the employees come together, and show them who runs the airline. ASA I believe taxied at about 2 knots for 2 weeks, and FLEW very SAFE. I remember hearing number 32 in line for MX.?? It was amazing 2 weeks later (after 6 long years and many breaks of the contract) we had a contract.
That's a good start. EVERYONE should be flying 100% by the book and 100% safe, since safety is our #1 priority at AirTran and the regs, our FOM, our AOM, and our contract (our books) are NOT flexible.

Or call AA or SWA and ask them why they never voted in the best resources out there?
Again, SWA doesn't need ALPA because they have a management group that works WITH them. We don't.

AA doesn't need anyone's help right now, they're strong enough and have the financial support they need to pull off their own strike. We don't.
 

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