Email from Airtran MEC: Secret MOU between SWA and SWAPA

[General Lee]

You mean when Delta starts hiring in 2016?

DL is approx 400 pilots fat right now according to sources in the CPO. The 16 717s and 13 MD90s coming this year will eat those up. Throw 36 more 717s for each of the next two years, plus eventual retirements, and there should be hiring in 2014. And if you get in during 2014, you would be in a great place before the HUGE retirement numbers coming in 4-5 years, some of which have 700-800 pilots retiring each year. That is unbelievable upward movement. Are you going to apply Max?



Bye Bye---General Lee

 

[Kharma Police]

#1 in the ALPA play book

Angry pilots are way easier to manipulate

Sounds like our AT brethren are way more tired of their games than anyone watching from the outside

Yup....

 

[Citrusflyer]

This is ALPA trying to remain relavent at Airtran. Funny how the secret memo comes out at the exact same time there's a grass roots campaign to bring the 'temporary' union contribution down from 2% back to 1% for the remaining FL pilots. "Ohh - a secret memo that outlines everything we all already knew. Look how we're working for you. Keep paying us ..." SMH

Is there really anything in this memo (if it were a secret) that is a surprise? Really?

 

[ASADFW7]

General I have seen the DL pilots in the double breasted coat, you have way more than only 400 Fat pilots! Just kidding

 

[humveedriver]

You mean the secret email posted on the public swapa website in Sep of 2011? This goes nowhere except to fan the flames of hate that ALPA has spread.

Couldn't find it without a login and password. Would you mind PM'ing me yours ;-)

 

[madjack]

I was surprised Chuck Magill responded to ALPAs email...mgmt is concerned...could get interesting.

 

[vixin]

Concerned? More like sick of the tranny and alpos BS.

 

[Kharma Police]

Concerned? More like sick of the tranny and alpos BS.

The best fix is to hurry up with the integration. I'm guessing they aren't in too much of a hurry since we cost less, charge for bags and you still can't fly south of El Paso.

 

[FlyinGuy]

Hey we can fly south of ELP!! When they are landing on 4, you have to do a right downwind that takes you over the border. Scary stuff, but we manage to get 'er on the ground ok.

 

[Tripower455]

The best fix is to hurry up with the integration. I'm guessing they aren't in too much of a hurry since we cost less, charge for bags and you still can't fly south of El Paso.

Harlingen is south of El Paso, and could also be considered international!

 

[Kharma Police]

Hey we can fly south of ELP!! When they are landing on 4, you have to do a right downwind that takes you over the border. Scary stuff, but we manage to get 'er on the ground ok.

That's fantastic!

 

[funnyman12]

SW bought Airtran almost 2 years ago. Anything remotely delaing with the SIA or integration should be done with all parties. To not include ALPA is disingenuous and potentially violates good faith bargaining. We at Airtran feel as if we are SW managements foe instead of family. Does a healthy family not include certain family members in decisions that affect them?

 

[redflyer65]

Did you mention that to GK at the ATL message?

 

[Phlintstone]

I know some folks are pretty upset by this but it is no surprise to me. I expected it all long based on prior actions of SWAPA and SWA. I certainly do not see anything inappropriate or illegal. They (SWAPA) are ensuring that they capture ALL the captain seats whether or not SWA can get the integration completed on schedule. While I understand the agreement, it will be perceived as one more thing knife in the backs of AT captains.

The only reason ALPA MEC considers this to be a conspiracy is that ONCE AGAIN, they were caught flat footed by events that were easily anticipated.

Phred

 

[Phlintstone]

SW bought Airtran almost 2 years ago. Anything remotely delaing with the SIA or integration should be done with all parties. To not include ALPA is disingenuous and potentially violates good faith bargaining.

It is not delaying the integration. The MOU basically states that the final vacancy bid (for AT CA seats) will be prior to 1/1/15 so that ONLY OSW FOs can upgrade. Even if SWA cannot complete the integration until December 2015, the AT CA seats will be assigned/alloted by the vacancy bid in 2014.

We at Airtran feel as if we are SW managements foe instead of family.

Yep! I have yet to fly with one person who feels otherwise. Although there are a few SWA cheeleaders out there...(aka maxblast).

Phred

 

[Phlintstone]

Did you mention that to GK at the ATL message?

He knows. It was communicated pilots (not ALPA officers) that were invited to a dinner last year with GK in attendance. That specific topic was brought up. IMO, He either does not care or is ignoring the problem hoping it will go away.

Phred

 

[vixin]

I can answer that. He doesnt give a crap about pilots. On either side to be honest.

 

[waveflyer]

Phred, I've yet to meet one AT who transitioned who feels as resentful-
So either a) pilots are lying to you bc you're outwardly opinionated and its easier
B) lying to me to make it more comfortable surrounded by OSW
Or c) something happens in transition training and online that creates some changes and a new perspective

Think you're holding on too tight

 

[FlyinGuy]

I know some folks are pretty upset by this but it is no surprise to me. I expected it all long based on prior actions of SWAPA and SWA. I certainly do not see anything inappropriate or illegal. They (SWAPA) are ensuring that they capture ALL the captain seats whether or not SWA can get the integration completed on schedule. While I understand the agreement, it will be perceived as one more thing knife in the backs of AT captains.

The only reason ALPA MEC considers this to be a conspiracy is that ONCE AGAIN, they were caught flat footed by events that were easily anticipated.

Phred

Like it or not, the capturing of ALL the AT capt seats were part of the deal. That was how it was sold to SWA pilots. SWA agreed to the date because they had to in order to get a yes vote from SWAPA. This has been cussed and discussed since SL10 came out.

 

[Tripower455]

Concerned? More like sick of the tranny and alpos BS.

I just spoke to CM about this in the MCO lounge, and this is an accurate statement......