Airtran Pilots what are your thoughts

[71driver]

Negotiations will be starting soon and I am sure we will here, at some point, about the companies budget for our contract.

Did you all realize of the 10 largest airlines we finished last in net income for the 3rd quarter 2007 with a dismal 1.7% net income?!!
Are you aware we get $15.00 dollars less per average fare than Southwest Airlines, and lets face it we have a superior product; assigned seating,business class, and free XM radio. If we were to get the same average fare as Southwest Airlines we would add 270,000,000 millions dollars to our annual profits!!
As we all know you do not here Airtran mangement talking about the revenue side of the equation...there is a reason for that, we are weak on revenue. Sure we are making money and that is a good thing but we are not as profitable as Wall Street thinks we should be, note our stock price.

So my question is should we have to ask for less in our new contract, or have a cost neutral contract for managements lack of performance??

Just wanting to here some constructive thoughts.

 

[Kharma Police]

Is that you Klaus?

 

[Pimpin']

Negotiations will be starting soon and I am sure we will here, at some point, about the companies budget for our contract.

Did you all realize of the 10 largest airlines we finished last in net income for the 3rd quarter 2007 with a dismal 1.7% net income?!!
Are you aware we get $15.00 dollars less per average fare than Southwest Airlines, and lets face it we have a superior product; assigned seating,business class, and free XM radio. If we were to get the same average fare as Southwest Airlines we would add 270,000,000 millions dollars to our annual profits!!
As we all know you do not here Airtran mangement talking about the revenue side of the equation...there is a reason for that, we are weak on revenue. Sure we are making money and that is a good thing but we are not as profitable as Wall Street thinks we should be, note our stock price.

So my question is should we have to ask for less in our new contract, or have a cost neutral contract for managements lack of performance??

Just wanting to here some constructive thoughts.

In a word, NO!

 

[fmr727drvr]

If we are getting $15.00 less per average fare and as you say have a superior product, then why aren't we charging more?

ABSOLUTELY NO CONCESSIONS SHOULD BE EXPECTED FROM THIS PILOT GROUP.

 

[say again]

Negotiations will be starting soon and I am sure we will here, at some point, about the companies budget for our contract.

Did you all realize of the 10 largest airlines we finished last in net income for the 3rd quarter 2007 with a dismal 1.7% net income?!!
Are you aware we get $15.00 dollars less per average fare than Southwest Airlines, and lets face it we have a superior product; assigned seating,business class, and free XM radio. If we were to get the same average fare as Southwest Airlines we would add 270,000,000 millions dollars to our annual profits!!
As we all know you do not here Airtran mangement talking about the revenue side of the equation...there is a reason for that, we are weak on revenue. Sure we are making money and that is a good thing but we are not as profitable as Wall Street thinks we should be, note our stock price.

So my question is should we have to ask for less in our new contract, or have a cost neutral contract for managements lack of performance??

Just wanting to here some constructive thoughts.

NEVER ASK FOR LESS, ASK FOR MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[B727Driver]

does Klaus have that much flight time?

 

[DonVerita]

It doesn't matter what management says their, "budget" is for our new contract. Whatever figure they give, it will be a lowball lie.

We will get what we are willing to stand up for...simple as that.

If management is worrying about where the money is going to come from, they can start with their bonuses!

 

[j41driver]

So my question is should we have to ask for less in our new contract, or have a cost neutral contract

YGTBSM

 

[tubelcane]

Are you smokin crack?

 

[ATLplt]

So my question is should we have to ask for less in our new contract, or have a cost neutral contract for managements lack of performance??

"With all due respect...that idea ain't worth a velvet painting of a whale and a dolphin gettin' it on."

 

[71driver]

sorry gents I reread what I wrote and can see that it could be taken that way...maybe this will help

I meant to imply that we should NOT have to ask for less. what I was trying to relay is that our mngmt is substandard in revenue but we as Pilots should not have to pay for their poor performance period.

 

[PCL_128]

In that case, you are 100% correct. My pay doesn't subsidize the cost of oil or poor revenue management.

 

[John Pennekamp]

Are you aware we get $15.00 dollars less per average fare than Southwest Airlines, and lets face it we have a superior product; assigned seating,business class, and free XM radio. If we were to get the same average fare as Southwest Airlines we would add 270,000,000 millions dollars to our annual profits!!

YGTBSM. Airtran has a "superior product" to Southwest? Because of "Free XM radio", assigned seating and "business class"?

Airtran pilots wondering why they can't charge Southwest fares is like the fat ugly girl wondering why she didn't get asked to the prom.

 

[PCL_128]

Airtran has a "superior product" to Southwest?

Yep. It's not even close.

 

[400ADude]

Paycut.

 

[ATLplt]

YGTBSM. Airtran has a "superior product" to Southwest? Because of "Free XM radio", assigned seating and "business class"?

Um, yes. We have Mrs. Fields cookies and Vitamin Water too...oh snap!

Hey, some people are into the stand in line, cattle car thing. That's cool. It seems to work well for Southwest.

 

[RIDETHELIGHTING]

400 = tool!

 

[400ADude]

400 = tool!

Get your panties unwinded. It's a joke. You guys are too predictable on this board.

 

[Thunderchief]

Keep it up 400A dude and I'll have to demote you to DiamondJet dude. I'm watching you!!

 

[twepilot]

wtf is "unwinded"???? Stellar command of the english language.

RV

 

[SkiFishFly]

No steps backwards in any sections or our current contract. NO CONCESSIONS.

and Pay raises for all my friends...

 

[71driver]

YGTBSM. Airtran has a "superior product" to Southwest? Because of "Free XM radio", assigned seating and "business class"?

Airtran pilots wondering why they can't charge Southwest fares is like the fat ugly girl wondering why she didn't get asked to the prom.

The main reason you guys get more per fare, is you have a fantastic marketing department with a large budget something we are lacking terrible. I remember JL was ask about our marketing he said "we like to fly under the radar" I thought wow that's great Joe you mean so the paying passengers won't know who we are? Common sense tells you Southwest, American and others read our SEC filings and keep a close tab on us, just as we do them.

 

[Clyde Frog]

In every other industry, cost increases are passed on to the consumer. Why do the airlines expect pilots to absorb their cost increases? Maybe because we let them?

Every other labor group is compensated fairly, especially management.

It's about time we started throwing some leverage around. FO's, talk it up with your Capts. Capts, get your head out of your arse, we need everyone on board when we head back to the table.

 

[EMB170Pilot]

In that case, you are 100% correct. My pay doesn't subsidize the cost of oil or poor revenue management.

It subsidizes Gulfstream


BING!