Are SWA/AAI guys worried?

[Flycatcher99]

I personally know of 4 Mesa dudes who went from CFI to Mesa (bottom feeder regional) to SWA in 3 years. All were hired under 30. There are many, many, many cases of folks getting hired A) young, and B) not "putting in their time" as you so aptly put it.
Your mantra seems to be the swa dudes are older and more qualified, i.e. put in more time, cared more, had more LUV, etc. That's NOT true. That's why the big deal will get sent to an independent arbitrator who will really decide the real deal.

Okay, I'm throwing the BS flag out on this one.

I was at Mesa for seven years, and I personally know of exactly two guys who got hired at SWA with 4-5 years Mesa experience, no less. I have serious doubts that you know even one guy, much less four, that left Mesa for SWA in 3 years.

And even if it were true, you are cherry-picking a couple of guys to make your point. Go ask your union about the relative ages. It's a fact that the trannies are younger, and much moreso. This was absolutely a factor in the negotiations, as it would be with an arbitrator.

 

['LUVIN LIFE]

If I were AAI I would have two thoughts:

My new CEO just offered us a SLI which he helped craft and his boys (SWAPA) voted 19-0 to keep it, we should too, especially being offered equal pay in today's times. Play nice.

Or play old school. Tell new CEO that our 1700 pilots are different than his 6000, we don't play games. Tank his offer and go to Arby. Now I lose 717 pay rates (negotiated by SWA and SWAPA), no guarantee fences, seat lock, etc. New CEO not happy with new group... think there will still be open arms?

Disclaimer... I want this SLI to work. I want SWA culture to stay. I want AAI pilots to make big money like us. You brought airplanes, I expect you to keep portion of Captain seats (which you get all now).

Just wondering what your thoughts are if you play hardball with our CEO, because that is who would be turned down, not SWAPA.

 

[Hose A. Jiminez]

Gary has talked to another operator about the 717s. Fact.

 

[scoreboardII]

Of course he is, look at the hardball ALPA is throwing him, he is going to cover all the bases.

 

[Ty Webb]

Newsflash . . . . No one's playing "hardball with Gary".

We're making sure that what was agreed to in the AIP is spelled out in clear language in a final Agreement. You can be sure that "Gary" understands the necessity of having the clear language.

What's your rush, anyway? This thing is going to move at a glacial pace as it is. Our guys won't see any pay boost until their May 2012 paycheck . . . . 30 months to transition, before any extensions? I think we can afford to take the time to get the language right, don't you?

 

[4day]

Just got word that there will be no MEC vote this week. WTF are they doing over there. The Communications chair quit this morning over a heated phone call with one of our MEC members. The trust is gone and never to return. I cant say it all ALPA but our MEC members. They are a dysfunctional group to say the least.

 

[waveflyer]

The hurry is Gary wants this done- we're leading all the other work groups- our FAs are WAY stronger than us- if we go to arby, then there is almost zero chance any of the other groups won't and this has a much larger effect on the corporate culture- next thing you know GARY'S waiting on provisioners and dispatchers to get appointment with the NMB to realize the "synergies" and bad blood AT v SWA continues to develop. I think he understands that integration is a time critical thing- we won't hate each other if we can get this hammered out and start working together- but allow too much time to pass.... And it's probably better to sell the 717's and hire off the street for ATL- and maybe you guys can work something out with the state department to go to Mexico or Malaysia where those 717's land, but MB won't apply bc it's not half the airline-

having the AIP clearly spelled out is fine- but we all know there is also a contingent among you, PCL leading it, that is just buying time, getting more dues, and figuring out how to tank this. He's a self entitled trust fund baby. Money's not a big deal, and He'd rather have to find another job and get to an ALPA carrier where he can not fly for a living- maybe he's already got connections through ALPA national who'll hook him up if he does a good enough job poisoning the well here...Don't think there are side doors into every big airline for a few.

 

[Ty Webb]

Sorry, man, but if all you want to do is vent your spleen, insult our pilots, and make threats against our jobs. . . well, you have fun. No one is buying it. I've got better things to do, and I think most other pilots do, too.

See ya around.

 

[Daddy]

Gary has talked to another operator about the 717s. Fact.

This one is getting legs...there was a big change of tune when I went to training this week with regard to the 717's. There wasn't near as much of the hullaballoo about the sims coming and whatnot. It was much akin to the change in tune of that place a year after i had the audacity to ask about automation. Torti went off on a tangent then about how we dont want to lose our piloting skills and whatnot....one year later it was all about saving gas with autothrottles and VNAV (duh) which had been my point when I brought it up the first time. Something is afoot on the 717 front...high CASM, bad engines, dealing them to Delta for the 800's or something...wish I knew what it was. I keep hearing from Delta guys about a swap, but they are the only ones I hear about it from.

 

[BlueBlood]

Furloughed from Delta and one of my buddies from Georgia Tech is in Network Planning and Revenue Management. The 717 rumor is not a baseless rumor. I couldn't nail him down, but the 717 offers a significant opportunity for DAL as do the additional airframes in the desert. Interesting to say the least.