Gary Kelly's ATN Comments at Message To The Field

[Flyer1015]

With no integration until 2013/2014/2015, does this mean SWA/AAI will not be hiring until then?

 

[The Prussian]

General Lee, those guys will never see anything but hatred at their combined airline. What a nightmare.

General Lee, on the other hand, continually asks himself why he went with DAL, when he could have been a Captain at SWA. Instead, now, his envy of SWA turns into continuous rants about LBB overnights, and wishing death and destruction towards all SWA pilots...that's the nightmare he has to wrestle with every night. What a nightmare.

 

[roughneck]

does this mean SWA/AAI will not be hiring until then?

SWA is hiring right now with plans to continue.

 

[Lear70]

Just like all ALPA carriers operate under the same contract? You obviously don't understand how this works.

What he's talking about is a Single Carrier Filing for Collective Bargaining purposes.

There are varying results from a Single Carrier Filing, some have met with limited success and some have been more successful. The one thing that seems to be the delineating factor in whether a SCF is successful is how management is structured and whether the company really IS operated separately (separate management, separate scheduling and operations control centers, separate certificate, and separate offices).

This is all just speculation, as I still have no doubt of GK's desire to achieve the savings from fully integrating operations in a quick and efficient manner (I don't see any hostility in an SLI, from all reports, both Merger Committees are still working together, and every group has their 2%'ers). Therefore, I highly doubt a Single Carrier Filing will be required.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Seriously, if I were an AT pilot, I would agree to a staple. Not flaming here at all. AT guys just hit the lottery with SWA buying them out.

Culture is number one priority at SWA. If you guys think that GK is going to screw over and piss off his junior FOs, you're nuts. Take a staple and count your lucky stars. Otherwise, you'll likely get nothing and never be integrated. 2015 for an SLI is very telling. A lot can happen by then.

 

[Bill Nelson]

What he's talking about is a Single Carrier Filing for Collective Bargaining purposes.

I think the point Roughneck was making is even if Swapa is the representative group, it doesn't mean they will work under the current Swapa contract. ALPA represents many different groups under the same umbrella but with different CBA's. Swapa would probably do the same if ALPA dumped the AirTran pilots and Swapa was the representative group before the operations are combined.

 

[Bill Nelson]

2015 for an SLI is very telling. A lot can happen by then.

Like the effect that Egypt and the Middle East coupled with potential $150 oil can have on a break even operation like AirTran. I don't think GK is going to risk SWA when he has options. He will ALWAYS keep his options open. A smooth SLI and labor peace will make this decision much easier for him.

 

[Ty Webb]

Seriously, if I were an AT pilot, I would agree to a staple. Not flaming here at all. AT guys just hit the lottery with SWA buying them out.

Culture is number one priority at SWA. If you guys think that GK is going to screw over and piss off his junior FOs, you're nuts. Take a staple and count your lucky stars. Otherwise, you'll likely get nothing and never be integrated. 2015 for an SLI is very telling. A lot can happen by then.

Hey! Look who just finished his latest round of electro-shock therapy! Welcome back, Bobby!

Unfortunately, now when a FA puts something in the microwave, Bob soils himself, froths at the mouth, and starts stapling his own genitals with a little, bitty Swingline stapler he carries for just this purpose.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Hey! Look who just finished his latest round of electro-shock therapy! Welcome back, Bobby!

Unfortunately, now when a FA puts something in the microwave, Bob soils himself, froths at the mouth, and starts stapling his own genitals with a little, bitty Swingline stapler he carries for just this purpose.

I thought I was on your ignore list?

Sorry bud, I'm just trying to talk some sense into you guys from a outsiders perspective. At this rate, it looks like you're going to blow it. Southwest will not destroy their company culture. If they do, they know that will be the beginning of the end. The will protect their own. It is practically written in their business plan. Either you guys take a staple, or plan on never going over. JMHO.

I love how General Lee is now your ally and biggest cheerleader. He is steering you guys down the path of destruction.

 

[Bake]

You know, the more I read from GL the more I'm starting to think he is at AirTran. Welcome aboard General.

 

[K-Mart]

Like the effect that Egypt and the Middle East coupled with potential $150 oil can have on a break even operation like AirTran. I don't think GK is going to risk SWA when he has options. He will ALWAYS keep his options open. A smooth SLI and labor peace will make this decision much easier for him.

If oil does get to that point and stays for awhile then not only with this deal probably not go thru but I can see some forloughs on the SWA side. As far as the Airtran side, who knows.

 

[Bill Nelson]

If oil does get to that point and stays for awhile then not only with this deal probably not go thru but I can see some forloughs on the SWA side. As far as the Airtran side, who knows.

We are hedged through 2014 with much better terms than last time. We are good, are you?

 

[K-Mart]

We are hedged through 2014 with much better terms than last time. We are good, are you?

I'm fine I just hope oil doesn't get there. It won't be good for us however we're hedged.

 

[Bob Dylan]

If oil does get to that point and stays for awhile then not only with this deal probably not go thru but I can see some forloughs on the SWA side. As far as the Airtran side, who knows.

No, what will happen is that he will use the slots and gates of Guadalupe Holdings and slowly close the operation down. SWA pilots will never see a furlough, but Guadalupe Holding pilots will. in fact, every one of those pilots could eventually be furloughed permanently.

Take the staple.

 

[shagadelic]

You know, the more I read from GL the more I'm starting to think he is at AirTran. Welcome aboard General.

Have you noticed all the Delta guys try to sew as much discontent as possible? I would to if I were them. SWA isn't going to be the same competition in Atlanta they are used to.... I look forward to it. :beer:

Hey General, just think, if you were had gone to SWA, you could be making close to 3 bills like me...all going to Lubbock. God, that sucks for me. :laugh:

 

[Ty Webb]

I thought I was on your ignore list?

Sorry bud, I'm just trying to talk some sense into you guys from a outsiders perspective.

Yes, we can see how well your own career advice has worked out for you. How is cargo corner in MIA these days? Still hoping to get to the left seat of a widebody for $85. an hour?

At this rate, it looks like you're going to blow it.

News Flash . . . . Merger Committees haven't even begun to discuss SLI. If you are basing your opinion on what you read here, it's time for more EST.

Either you guys take a staple, or plan on never going over. JMHO.

Bobby, you're an idiot. Not even the most militant SWA guys think they are going to get a staple . . . but here's good ol' Bobby, looking about as "with it" as Dennis Kucinich. :laugh:

I love how General Lee is now your ally and biggest cheerleader. He is steering you guys down the path of destruction

The General is . . . the General. He's not leading us anywhere, he's an outsider, voicing his opinion, just as you are. He's been through an SLI . . . howsaboutyerself?.

.....:laugh::laugh::laugh:

 

[Lear70]

Oh good, Bob "Swingline" Dylan is back.

How did that go again, Kharma? "Skip... skip... skip..." lol

 

[Bob Dylan]

.....:laugh::laugh::laugh:

Fine man. I think you have the wrong idea about me. I'm NOT flaming and I'm just stating MY opinion as an outsider too. I'll even admit that in the past I was having a little fun with you because of some of the things you said about me.

In any case, as an OUTSIDER, I honestly think that SWA will protect their own employees, and in the end AT pilots will not join their seniority list unless they agree to being stapled to the bottom. This assumption is based on the fact that SWA values their corporate culture more than just about anything. Pissing off every SWA FO is not something that I see them doing. It will be bad for business.

I do see them taking what they want from AT (gates, routes and planes) and slowly closing down Guadalupe Holdings. Will they state that publically? Of course not, but that is probably the plan if you guys don't agree to a staple.

Jeez, you will have already gained massive pay increases and stability. You expect not to give something up for that? I guess you expect to get it ALL. Which is why I predict you will get NOTHING.

Good luck. You guys really need to pull your heads out of your asssses.

 

[texman]

I don't know how it is going to go down, but I don't see any AT guy out of a job. What I do like is the potential this will have for both SWA/AT. I just dislike ALPA and how corrupt they are.

 

[Lear70]

Bob, not that I think you bring any good discussion to the table, but I *HIGHLY* suggest editing your comment for profanity. CLR has been pretty aggressive in policing the board lately, and I don't want to see ANYONE get put in the penalty box.

Speaking strictly NOT as a mod, since I'm not moderating these threads, just trying to make sure you stick around to keep things amusing. :beer: