Gary Kelly's ATN Comments at Message To The Field

[MILF Hunter]

I got to attend the Message To The Field in San Diego the other day. What an awesome party! Everyone had a great time.

Gary talked about AirTran several times throughout the night.

First, he said it could take until 2015 to integrate ATN into SWA. Given that Gary stated in his Battle Plan that AirTran employees would remain under their contract until integration is complete, that could really suck!

Second, he said SWA is unsure about charging fees on ATN flights during the integration due to the fact that recent ATN financials show they would be losing money without the fees.

Finally, he expressed concern over the bad attitudes a poor SLI could create at SWA, though he wouldn't commit to a specific plan to deal with the possibility.

 

[Kharma Police]

OMG!, did he really say all that stuff?!?! Wow!, now I'm REALLY scared!

 

[General Lee]

OMG!, did he really say all that stuff?!?! Wow!, now I'm REALLY scared!

Give in! Accept a staple! The arbitrators won't give you a better deal. If you see a current SWA pilot, kiss his shoes!


Bye Bye---General Lee

 

[Flopgut]

Second, he said SWA is unsure about charging fees on ATN flights during the integration due to the fact that recent ATN financials show they would be losing money without the fees.

Ok. Maybe now instead of having an actor portray the "evil airline CEO who charges fees", Gary can appear in the commercials himself?

 

[Lear70]

Figured it wouldn't happen until end of 2013 / early 2014 anyway, just too many people to train, aircraft have to be pulled from service to be repainted and reconfigured, etc, etc. Lots to do for certain, but doesn't mean integrating employee groups under one CBAgreement and one CBAgent can't happen faster.

Really, not all that concerned. What will be, will be. Enjoy the ride.

 

[Red Baron]

Really, not all that concerned. What will be, will be. Enjoy the ride.

Well said. Why worry about tomorrow, today has enough troubles of its own.

 

[roughneck]

but doesn't mean integrating employee groups under one CBAgreement and one CBAgent can't happen faster.

A reasonable SLI will be the factor that decides when and if AirTran gets to operate under the Swapa CBA and when that will occur.

 

[General Lee]

A reasonable SLI will be the factor that decides when and if AirTran gets to operate under the Swapa CBA and when that will occur.

Total BS. Remember, seniority is forever. Wait it out for arbitration if needed. Also, recent SUCCESSFUL mergers had the joint contract and pay raises FIRST, then the SLI. Don't do it the other way around, like USAir TRIED.....


Bye Bye---- General Lee

 

[roughneck]

Also, recent SUCCESSFUL mergers had the joint contract and pay raises FIRST, then the SLI.

There will not be a JCBA. This isn't an ALPA/ALPA merger of equals it is an acquisition by Southwest Airlines and will be handled differently.

Wait it out for arbitration if needed.

An arbitrated award has nothing to do with when the AirTran guys get our CBA. This is an acquisition and the date in which the SWAPA CBA will apply to AirTran will be determined between SWA and SWAPA not by an arbitrator.

 

[stalker]

General why do you continuously flap your gums about this? Fact is you have no idea how it is going to be handled and what the outcome will be. The other fact is there are only a few who know how it will be handled. Those are the SWAPA NC and THE AAI MEC. Outside of the people on those teams everyone else is just blowing hot air and has no idea.