An Honest Question for AirTran Pilots

[S3sundowner]

KP, why is it you guys always duck out of the fight when money comes into this? What else is it about at the end of the day? I don't go to work for free and neither do you. I'd rather play golf, but I lost out to Tiger on a high school playoff, so here I am (joke). You guys really should be placed on W-2 earnings, and if you were, your expectation would still increase! SWAPA DO NOT fear arbitration, in fact, I think they would welcome it. Read my previous comments about vegas and quit pretending it isn't about money. You need to get more convincing arguments before you (potentially) sit in front of an arbitrator.

 

[Kharma Police]

KP, why is it you guys always duck out of the fight when money comes into this? What else is it about at the end of the day? I don't go to work for free and neither do you. I'd rather play golf, but I lost out to Tiger on a high school playoff, so here I am (joke). You guys really should be placed on W-2 earnings, and if you were, your expectation would still increase! SWAPA DO NOT fear arbitration, in fact, I think they would welcome it. Read my previous comments about vegas and quit pretending it isn't about money. You need to get more convincing arguments before you (potentially) sit in front of an arbitrator.

There is no argument, you and I and everyone else at the hotel bars in your system knows that you make more money than us. You don't have to convince me about the merits of higher pay and how it relates to seniority integration, just the arbitrator(s).

 

[RedDogC130]

If you don't think W2s are coming into it you have no clue what is ahead of you and will be a bit upset. It is the entire package that is going to be evaluated...not just which window you look out.

 

[texman]

The 717 is a smaller aircraft, but what constitutes smaller? I don't know. I think the swa guys will be fighting for one pay scale either way, so the trannies should be happy about that. I can't get over the impending pay raises. I know they'll say it's about seat/furlough protection, etc., but I don't see anything but growth at swa over the next 3-4 years. The trannies will roll out of atl when the fence comes down with tens of thousand more in earnings/retirement benes, etc., and still have pretty good seniority with all the hiring. I don't get what this debate is even about?? I wonder if the trannie's mec can keep a straight face during the negotiations with swapa?! "

I can understand your frustration, but we don't know. Let's see what happens in the transaction agreement.

 

[Kharma Police]

If you don't think W2s are coming into it you have no clue what is ahead of you and will be a bit upset. It is the entire package that is going to be evaluated...not just which window you look out.

I agree with you completely, there are many other factors that will be considered. I would however suggest you consider other factors objectively (like I have) not just the ones that you perceive will benefit your case.

 

[texman]

There is no argument, you and I and everyone else at the hotel bars in your system knows that you make more money than us. You don't have to convince me about the merits of higher pay and how it relates to seniority integration, just the arbitrator(s).

I can agree with you. I just hate to see this go to arbitration. I think also what you have on the SWA side in some peoples opinion, is why does the AT captain average age of 38 get to ride the top of the SWA seniority for the next 20 years when the retirements come. Is that fair? Who knows? I just hope your AT ALPA is educating you. This is not a ALPA merger. GH is the acquiring company, in which is a holding company of SWA. It will be up to GH and SWA when the list merge.

 

[texman]

I agree with you completely, there are many other factors that will be considered. I would however suggest you consider other factors objectively (like I have) not just the ones that you perceive will benefit your case.

Yes with many factors being played out no ones seat will be protected. I have talked to some AT guys. One captain said I just don't want to lose my seat. If it goes to arbitration, How do you know if you will keep your seat. Thinking ALPA merger is not what is happing here.

 

[Bill Nelson]

I would however suggest you consider other factors objectively (like I have) not just the ones that you perceive will benefit your case.

I'll play. What does your group bring to the Swapa pilot group? I can't think of a single thing that your group brings directly to our group that we don't already have. Help me out here. What do you bring?

 

[Kharma Police]

I can agree with you. I just hate to see this go to arbitration. I think also what you have on the SWA side in some peoples opinion, is why does the AT captain average age of 38 get to ride the top of the SWA seniority for the next 20 years when the retirements come. Is that fair? Who knows? I just hope your AT ALPA is educating you. This is not a ALPA merger. GH is the acquiring company, in which is a holding company of SWA. It will be up to GH and SWA when the list merge.

The term, "fairness" is a very subjective term on both sides. You stated a perfect example why this needs to go to arbitration. You and probably others feel that because we have young captains, they are somehow less deserving to be in the seat which they have been occupied for many years prior to September 27th. My fellow young pup Captains that just now started shaving more than once a week disagree.

 

[Kharma Police]

I'll play. What does your group bring to the Swapa pilot group? I can't think of a single thing that your group brings directly to our group that we don't already have. Help me out here. What do you bring?

Go ask Gary Kelly what we bring, he didn't bother to ask for our opinion. I don't really care what's in it for you or for me, it's going to happen weather we like it or not. You can deal with it, or continue to ask the same questions over and over and beat your chest over things you have no control over. Have fun looking backwards, I'm looking forward.