Integrating AAI into SWA

[texman]

Red, when I started here, we had more debt, much less cash, and were paying 11-13% interest. We almost tripled in size since then, and now have (as a percentage) less debt, more cash and the debt we do have is at closer to 5% interest. The pendulum was swinging with us, not against us. That's why SWA stepped up, otherwise they would have sat back and waited.

And you are right TY. From a business stand point, it would not make any sense to bleed out our cash to kill AT, nor would it make sense for AT to continue to run head to head with SWA. so SWA got AT at a smoking deal. Thats why your CEO said live on our SWA TV that it was a good deal for the employees of AT for the long run. What us pilots are forgetting about is the share holders want to make money. Both sides see the grand opportunity this brings to the big picture. I heard overnight additional 35 net airplanes will be needed after the Acquisition, and this is due to what our route structure brings to ATL. And not forget what ATL brings back into the system. The good news GK has stated that we have 19.9% market share and will have 49+% in the next 5-10 years. GK did say TY WEBB will have to be a FO for a year, then back to capt. Just kidding! lol

 

[Kharma Police]

One of the things that seems to have been lost in this mess is that AT bent over backwards to avoided competing head to head with us. AT was/is rapidly running out of places to grow without facing us head on. This acquisition is going to create growth that neither pilot group would have otherwise seen.

How much growth are they predicting in ATL? That ain't happening for anyone without the acquisition.

Really?!?!, MDW, BWI, MCO, MKE, PHL seem to come to mind. We have also competed in major hubs which Southwest up until recently avoided like the plague but had to enter out of necessity. We have held our own and made money at the World Busiest Airport competing with the Worlds Largest Airline, to quote Joe Leonard, "we aren't afraid of anyone".

 

[Ty Webb]

And you are right TY. From a business stand point, it would not make any sense to bleed out our cash to kill AT, nor would it make sense for AT to continue to run head to head with SWA. so SWA got AT at a smoking deal. Thats why your CEO said live on our SWA TV that it was a good deal for the employees of AT for the long run. What us pilots are forgetting about is the share holders want to make money. Both sides see the grand opportunity this brings to the big picture. I heard overnight additional 35 net airplanes will be needed after the Acquisition, and this is due to what our route structure brings to ATL. And not forget what ATL brings back into the system. The good news GK has stated that we have 19.9% market share and will have 49+% in the next 5-10 years. GK did say TY WEBB will have to be a FO for a year, then back to capt. Just kidding! lol

Ha Ha! I heard he said "Give him a month on the lav truck". I guess I should consider myself fortunate! :laugh:

TW

 

[ASADFW7]

The quicker we get integrated, the quicker we can open the new crew base in DEN, which would probably not be fenced, and open to everyone to bid. The quicker we gete integrated, the less us versus them even mentioned. SWA made this happen, when Gary Kelly opens new doors, his employees work at making his decisions a success, including the multiple new doors this brings.

 

[slaquer5]

Really?!?!, MDW, BWI, MCO, MKE, PHL seem to come to mind. We have also competed in major hubs which Southwest up until recently avoided like the plague but had to enter out of necessity. We have held our own and made money at the World Busiest Airport competing with the Worlds Largest Airline, to quote Joe Leonard, "we aren't afraid of anyone".

Brother are you kidding? He throws out an olive branch, making a statement that putting the two airlines together would not rock the boat with the DOJ. He is also correct that after this is said and done it will be growth like the rest of the industry will not believe. If you think the DAL pilots are bitter now, just wait till the growth in ATL.

 

[Kharma Police]

Brother are you kidding? He throws out an olive branch, making a statement that putting the two airlines together would not rock the boat with the DOJ. He is also correct that after this is said and done it will be growth like the rest of the industry will not believe. If you think the DAL pilots are bitter now, just wait till the growth in ATL.

If you think what he posted was an olive branch then I would hate to see what you think is an insult.

AirTran and Delta buried the hatchet long ago, we get along fine in ATL and elsewhere. They have gone out of their way to treat me with kindness and respect and I have always tried to do the same.

 

[ivauir]

The Pilots settled for lower rates than we would have (especially on the Capt side) because the leverage of striking was gone.

Ty,

Take a deep breath brother. Think about what you just said:

Your career expectations were so low you were willing to walk away.

September 27th changed that, and the contract you are about to get is mind blowing! No strike required!

 

[FlyinGuy]

That is why it has been so comical listening to Ty rant over the past several weeks.

 

[Luv2BFlyin]

I'm not sure if Ty settled or not but there were about 200 of us that voted no because we didn't want to settle.

 

[RIDETHELIGHTING]

Dude your so cool for voting no. Wow!