Happy Trails Lear 70

[humveedriver]

It's funny how much better the AT job was, AFTER the 9/27 acquisition announcement.

I'm only being vocal now because I have seen both sides. I jumpseated on SWA around 2007, after upgrading on the 737 at AT. It was then that I realized we had a much better/modern approach to flying the 737. I told many a first officer that our procedures were better than SWAs IMO. There are many positives to SWA buying my airline. More access to dif bases. More destinations to non rev to. A larger more powerful company that has increased health and retirement benefits. Not denying any of that. The fallacy is that so many want to believe that SWA can be this personal fun loving airline and its enormous size. It's more of a concept than a practice now, from a top down perspective. Bottom line is I enjoy the drive to work more than the flying now. And that's OK. Everything changes.

 

[Tripower455]

I'm only being vocal now because I have seen both sides. I jumpseated on SWA around 2007, after upgrading on the 737 at AT. It was then that I realized we had a much better/modern approach to flying the 737. I told many a first officer that our procedures were better than SWAs IMO. There are many positives to SWA buying my airline. More access to dif bases. More destinations to non rev to. A larger more powerful company that has increased health and retirement benefits. Not denying any of that. The fallacy is that so many want to believe that SWA can be this personal fun loving airline and its enormous size. It's more of a concept than a practice now, from a top down perspective. Bottom line is I enjoy the drive to work more than the flying now. And that's OK. Everything changes.

Of course.

But I do find it funny how for years prior to the announcement, all I heard from AT crews was how bad it was over there, and many wanted to be over at SW. And not only on FI.

In addition to the folks that I know personally over there, I'd run into AT folks on the prison bus, jumpseats, airports etc. and none of them had much, if anything glowing to say about working at AT. A lot of "you guys hiring?" type of comments. I realize this is anecdotal, but until recently, I never heard how great pre 9/27 AT was to work at.

Too bad the word didn't get out sooner. Maybe some of our junior guys could've jumped ship and enjoyed the wonderful AT experience, and even ended up higher on the list than they are now!

 

[humveedriver]

Of course.

But I do find it funny how for years prior to the announcement, all I heard from AT crews was how bad it was over there, and many wanted to be over at SW. And not only on FI.

In addition to the folks that I know personally over there, I'd run into AT folks on the prison bus, jumpseats, airports etc. and none of them had much, if anything glowing to say about working at AT. A lot of "you guys hiring?" type of comments. I realize this is anecdotal, but until recently, I never heard how great pre 9/27 AT was to work at.

Too bad the word didn't get out sooner. Maybe some of our junior guys could've jumped ship and enjoyed the wonderful AT experience, and even ended up higher on the list than they are now!

Brother, life is what you make it, doesn't matter where you work. After the Wright Amendment and the classics go away, AirTran will be just another picture in my airline album of good memories.

 

[Luv2BFlyin]

Tri, we'd all be better off if the the tranny was a distant memory. Instead, due to the circumstances, the tranny is looking better and being remembered with much fonder opinions by an increasing number of our pilots. There are several reasons for this and some SW will never believe. It's rumored WN mgmt is asking our chief pilot how many of our guys are asking for letters of recommendation so the can plan accordingly for hiring. It appears their opinion of incredulousness when contemplating people not wanting to work there is being overcome by the reallity that they are going to have to hire to replace those that are wanting to leave.

 

[Tripower455]

Brother, life is what you make it, doesn't matter where you work. After the Wright Amendment and the classics go away, AirTran will be just another picture in my airline album of good memories.

I can't agree more. Just posting my observations.

 

[Just thinking]

As far as Airtrran being the end all of airlines.. Nobody believed that. What we believed was that Airtan was growing and we were improving our contract. We did more with less and did it successfully. The pilot group has a huge impact on the performance and we made the airline what it is. We took the responsibility and did not let the excuse of "not my job" keep us from being successful. We worked hand in hand with the gate agents, ramblers, ex and mx to make things happen each and every day. We helped build this airline into a huge threat. I told the above statement to every friend that wanted a letter of recommendation for an interview. That also included those that had spent the money on a type rating and were waiting for the call from swa. I am certain that they were using airtran as a fall back position and that is fine. They have all been well qualified competent pilots. Some went to swa and others stayed at airtran. Personal choices for personal reasons. Swa is not the end all or be all of airlines either. It is a job that we have and I am grateful for that. Many of us were happy with airtran and the opportunity to make something happen. Now we are part of an organization that has purposely lied to us. Nothing different than what we have been dealing wih at airtran.

 

[madjack]

I'm glad u had fun, try and have some here, we need new blood

 

[fam62c]

Tri, we'd all be better off if the the tranny was a distant memory. Instead, due to the circumstances, the tranny is looking better and being remembered with much fonder opinions by an increasing number of our pilots. There are several reasons for this and some SW will never believe. It's rumored WN mgmt is asking our chief pilot how many of our guys are asking for letters of recommendation so the can plan accordingly for hiring. It appears their opinion of incredulousness when contemplating people not wanting to work there is being overcome by the reallity that they are going to have to hire to replace those that are wanting to leave.

There is a difference between talking about wanting to leave and actually leaving. How many pilots have left not counting retirements since the announcement of the deal? If it's a total of more than 50 by the end of 2014 I would be surprised. For every AT pilot that leaves WN gets to hire a new pilot at year one pay, I don't think it's keeping anybody in WN management up at night

 

[Sacha]

BIG difference between the Eastern guys at SWA and Eastern guys from Valujet...

To suggest otherwise is moronic....

Me and every other Eastern guy at SWA wouldn't even think of sending an app into Valujet/Airtran.

Nice try though.

 

[PCL_128]

BIG difference between the Eastern guys at SWA and Eastern guys from Valujet...

Really? And what is that difference? Think before you respond with something that is easily going to be disproven.

 

[Sacha]

Would you like to compare Scab lists?

How about your former employer at Gulfstream?

He was one of the most hated Pilots at Eastern BEFORE he Scabbed.

You aren't very intelligent are you? Based on your handling of the AirTran side of the negotiations and you making your bed with Gulfstream first and then Joe Leonard second, followed by the BS you post on these forums when you have to know that we know who you are, I would say not.

Your name is the one that comes up most often out on the line when discussing guys we can't wait to fly with.

Face it. You ended up at Valujet/AirTran because that's the best you could do. No amount of BS or delusional thinking on your part will ever change that. I have flown with 8 or 9 FAT guys so far. Awesome guys all. But your name and Lears name come up and it ain't pretty. They bring it up first. I don't. You were not well liked over there and you certainly won't be over here. Do yourself and all of us a favor and go sell Double-Wides. It would suit you.

 

[ATLplt]

BIG difference between the Eastern guys at SWA and Eastern guys from Valujet...

To suggest otherwise is moronic....

Me and every other Eastern guy at SWA wouldn't even think of sending an app into Valujet/Airtran.

Nice try though.

Ah, Mr. Supposed rEAL pilot is back. There are more strikers here than you think, even when Valujet was around. One of our old Chief Pilots during the early days was a die-hard striker. Don't you have a line check to give or something?

 

[PCL_128]

Would you like to compare Scab lists?

I figured that would be the nonsense you would spew. But yes, let's compare. You'll find a lot of strikers on our side, and you'll find a few SCABs on your side.

How about your former employer at Gulfstream?

He was one of the most hated Pilots at Eastern BEFORE he Scabbed.

No doubt. He's a piece of trash.

Your name is the one that comes up most often out on the line when discussing guys we can't wait to fly with.

Why would I care what a POS like you thinks of me? But sorry, you won't get the privilege of flying with me.

 

[Sacha]

Why do all your fellow pilots despise you?

Is that why you:

1) Hid in the Union Hall office
2) Are leaving Aviation to rip off "economically disadvantaged" by selling them crappy Double Wides?

No doubt you have "accomplished" so much in your short but "stellar" career in aviation.

Oh....how is the DFR going?

 

[MCDU]

I hope PFT_128 gets out of aviation. Its people like him and his actions that has taken a toll on this profession. I do though think Valujet pilots should have gotten their DOH. SWA time will come and then you all can eat some humble pie. Been there. Just like the United pilots who thought at one time it was all about them and their quick upgrades and money.

M

 

[maxblast72]

Why do all your fellow pilots despise you?

Is that why you:

1) Hid in the Union Hall office
2) Are leaving Aviation to rip off "economically disadvantaged" by selling them crappy Double Wides?

No doubt you have "accomplished" so much in your short but "stellar" career in aviation.

I don't know if I would say he hid in the union office. He took strong stances on issues like TA 2010 and SIA #1 and #2. Of course, he didn't always have the political capital to survive those stances (as he found out in May 2011 the hard way).

I enjoy flying with him (other than the fact he typically only does CDOs). The toughest part is waiting for sterile cockpit to end to talk union politics.

The reason why guys dislike him is usually tied to his belief that sometimes the union should try and save pilots from themselves. Most pilots believe they are smart enough to analyze info and make the best decision for their own career.

 

[Sacha]

Reasonable response. However, you lost me at the part where somehow in his short, undistinguished career, he determined that he was smarter than his fellow Pilots and was "trying to save them from themselves".....

Arrogance beyond all belief.

 

[PCL_128]

Arrogance beyond all belief.

No, arrogance beyond all belief is the belief that you can know what the best course of action is without all of the facts and all of the counsel that is available to the representatives that you elect, but not all available to you.

 

[Sacha]

Please use that "line" in your DFR Deposition and or Testimony....Really.

I just spit Starbucks out my nose!!......

 

[HowardBorden]

No, arrogance beyond all belief is the belief that you can know what the best course of action is without all of the facts and all of the counsel that is available to the representatives that you elect, but not all available to you.

Wow, just wow. This coming from the kid with a twelfth grade education. Believing that you are the better judge of what is in the best interests of the whole that surely included PhD.'s, lawyers and any number of advanced degrees. Perhaps you share your beliefs with the masses and let them decide what the best course of action is. The truly insightful method would include sharing whatever wisdom was shared with you and then believing the group as a whole was intelligent enough to make a decision using all available resources.