Alaska Fleet Plan for 2013/2014

[redflyer65]

SWA isn't going to shell out the kind of cash that it would take to buy AK, has anyone looked at what their stock price is? If anything, AK would be the buyer. Alaska is like Hawaiian in that their worth is tied up in their reputation for service and they have strong customer loyalty. AK and Hawaiian are very successful airlines (so is SWA), but paint another name on the side of either of their planes and much of what makes them successful would go away. SWA would have to pay a premium and than lose much of what they paid for. I think AK is way to different of an operation than SWA for the two to merge. Just because they both have 737's doesn't mean they match up well. For example, AK codeshares a lot with DAL, that would all go poof. Finally, I'm sure what SWA did to AirTran (threaten to keep the airlines separate) could never work with Alaska. So you're right, SWA could never run roughshod over them and simply couldn't have "their way" of doing business. Just like here in Hawaii, if they tried that kind of crap they would have their arse handed to them.
Finally, I AM NOT BASHING SWA HERE! They are very good at what they do, but it seems when I call out some of the narcissisim inherent in thinking they are going to do whatever they want (remember them saying they are going to kick Delta's ass?) I get labled a SWA "hater" I'm not. I've met a lot of good SWA folks and wish them all the best. SWA has done a lot to promote the importance of treating your employees well (Thank you Herb!) not to mention they when I laid over in PDX at the Monarch the staff always extended the 1 2 3 to us too!

Dan,

I agree with alot of what you say, but a couple of things..

The stock price of either company doesn't really matter. It's all about cash on hand. For the purchase of the other airline. I do think your right about Alaska being too expensive for SW to purchase. Could they? Probably. It just would be too expensive for the Love Field crew. They like a bargain.

Not throwing stones here, but I don't think the 'value' in flying an Alaskan tail, or a Hawaiian tail is quite that magical. If Delta came in bought either Alaska OR Hawaiian and put the widget on the tails, the public would just have to deal with it. It's happened time and again. They might not be happy, but they still have to fly....and they will. Again, not saying you or Hawaiian have a bad product, but in the end..business wins out. It always will.

 

[Dan Roman]

Dan,

I agree with alot of what you say, but a couple of things..

The stock price of either company doesn't really matter. It's all about cash on hand. For the purchase of the other airline. I do think your right about Alaska being too expensive for SW to purchase. Could they? Probably. It just would be too expensive for the Love Field crew. They like a bargain.

Not throwing stones here, but I don't think the 'value' in flying an Alaskan tail, or a Hawaiian tail is quite that magical. If Delta came in bought either Alaska OR Hawaiian and put the widget on the tails, the public would just have to deal with it. It's happened time and again. They might not be happy, but they still have to fly....and they will. Again, not saying you or Hawaiian have a bad product, but in the end..business wins out. It always will.

That's pretty much what I meant, SWA isn't going to go after AK because they wouldn't get a good bargain, they would have to pay a premium, and of course much of what they would pay for would be gone if they merged.
I'm HA btw, my example of Aloha in the SNA market vs a mainland carrier points to what I say about Hawaiian getting a lot of business because people want to start their Hawaiian vacation on Hawaiian Air, paint Delta on the side of the airplanes (and replace our flt Attendants!) and we lose much of what has made us successful. That's not to say, sadly, that your point about money trumps all isn't a valid one.

 

[texman]

All mergers go according to McCaskill Bond. SWA might be able to push around AirTran but Alaska Pilots can afford to go to War if need be. I can promise, the slightest whiff of any cram down douchbaggery will grind any merger to a halt in Federal Court for years.

We would only take 49% of the assets. M&B goes out the window. So does A/M. Delta will take the other 51%.

 

[RNP.15]

AS purchased, probably not. History shows they might be the buyer ie Jet A and Horzion. They like things their way. Seems to be working, company is flush with cash
and growing... albeit at a snails pace.

 

[BentOver]

You'll change your tune when delta buys ha and you are on the dc-9 in Detroit for 5 years.

In that case we move the family back to the hometown, still have a ridiculuously short commute, and with the low cost of living in NKY I buy a huge house and the corvette that just doesn't make sense to have out here... Plus I get to watch pro sports again.... Either way, its a win win for the family and I..

 

[johnsonrod]

And Skywest will be flying the 92 seat equipment for us

Can't wait to see those MRJs with Eskimos on the tails! Kidding... :laugh:

 

[ImbracableCrunk]

I'll go back to my previous attempt at a joke regarding the last contract:

"Scope? No. Alaska Pilots use Listerine."

 

[Singlecoil]

I'll go back to my previous attempt at a joke regarding the last contract:

"Scope? No. Alaska Pilots use Listerine."

We definitely need a like button on here!

 

[NWaviator]

Isn't there a bid that should be coming out in the next week or two?

 

[flythere]

Should have been out last month sometime! I think those on the 2nd floor, B.J. and J.W. have finally saw the light on this new flight time/duty time rule! I think initially they thought they were going to be able to get by with less pilots on property.

I hope they are finally seeing the light with this new law, that we are going to need more bodies. No more legal to start legal to finish! 9 hrs is 9 hrs!!! And our rest starts when the door closes on the hotel room, not when we close the jetway!

Rumor has it they've been running the numbers 7 ways from sunday trying to figure out if VSA alone will cover. Plus the estimated number of retirements this year from the survey was double what was anticipated, I hope they are doing some serious soul searching!

Unfortunately we on the line will be blamed when flights are canx due to lack of crews!

 

[ImbracableCrunk]

Unfortunately we on the line will be blamed when flights are canx due to lack of crews!

They better hurry up get get those RJs on line! Remember adding pilots is the last resort.

 

[Boxboy]

They better hurry up get get those RJs on line! Remember adding pilots is the last resort.

It's all part of the plan.

 

[flythere]

It's all part of the plan.

That's true, they (management) will want as many of those RJ's with non-AS pilots flying by 2015 or so. I figure if they get a 4 or 5 yr contract inked this year, that would put us into 2018. What's coincidental with that? Well, remember they want all of the -400's and -700's gone by then, so we will be an all -800/900 fleet.

Next contract in 2017/2018 management will want concessions on wages, because they will give them up on this (2013 contract). As leverage, they will give all of the short-range flying (bay area, LA maybe even SAN to those smaller contract carriers) with the exception of repo ETOP's airplanes, which would be one or two flights a day in those markets.

That will be their whip-saw to get reduced rates out of us. For that reason, it is critical that we get some-type of scope language this time around! We screwed the pooch last time. Last time around the camel had his nose in the tent, now that same camel is at the buffet table chow'in down!!

Unfortunately the guys with 6 yrs or less could care less about scope! The only thing they see is $$$$$ for their last 5 yrs and they are out! The rest of us, with more than 6 yrs are looking long term at scope protection.

How many geezers last time around said they would never bring in contract airplanes!!

 

[Old School 737]

Company openers are out ! They want a six year deal!!

And a call in well program .. And a partial vacation sellback .. Modest insurance increase of payments ...

 

[Boxboy]

Company openers are out ! They want a six year deal!!

And a call in well program .. And a partial vacation sellback .. Modest insurance increase of payments ...

Get ready, fight's on! Hope ya'll saved for the rainy day. I see 75-80 hour months coming very soon. Ouch!