Is this the future of Southwest???

[scoreboardII]

DEN will take months to go uber senior, it takes that long for the uber senior to realize a new domicile has opened.

 

[waveflyer]

By SWAs future JR- do you mean Q400's? Or Widebodies?

I think most of us believe a larger international aircraft is in our future- not really news that SWA will be looking for growth in that area- but smaller aircraft is an X factor- it's no secret that mgmt was a bit disappointed that the 717 didn't quite have the long term economics to fill that smaller aircraft role- but there are a LOt of communities that don't quite justify the 737, but we'd like to serve (or keep serving!)- just not sure that smaller aircraft exists with the economics SWA needs.

I for 1 would fly the hell out of a Q400- but strongly believe in one wage blended rates across all pilots whether its heavy jets coming on or smaller a/c.
("blended-ie: if we have 700 737/717's that pay $200/ trip and get 25 Q400's that pay $80/trip and get 25 787's that pay $300/trip- I want our pilot group to blend those rates and make $199.33 instead of those individual rates-( it gets more complicated than that- but that's the idea and I've noticed it is way more efficient and pilots are happier))
I do not want our union to be fractured by pay scales and size- and do not want inefficient training structures where pilots bounce between fleets chasing money- I want a system where pilots do the flying they want to do w/o financial pressures driving the decisions (which they usually do)
Gary is on the record as saying he sees BWI as a SWA intl hub- and as saying we can handle 2-3 fleet types, least amount is best- but need the right aircraft for the jobs we want to grow-

And ya JR- the primary motivation for a publicly traded company is called SWM- shareholder wealth maximization, vs profit motive for regular businesses- and it typically requires growth- ie: making consistent profits doesn't guarantee a performing stock, bc the price of the stock reflected those profits when bought- to increase the price of a stock that who's price already reflected $1xxx in annual profits, you must increase those profits-

We're very familiar with that here at SWA as we've been consistently profitable, but have had a very flat stock as we have not been more profitable than years past .

 

[$$$4nothin]

Well when SW buys B6 you guys will have 75 190's on property to serve those smaller destinations you are talking about.

 

[Saluki Dawg]

$$$$4nothin gets it!

 

[StopNTSing]

I for 1 would fly the hell out of a Q400- but strongly believe in one wage blended rates across all pilots whether its heavy jets coming on or smaller a/c.
("blended-ie: if we have 700 737/717's that pay $200/ trip and get 25 Q400's that pay $80/trip and get 25 787's that pay $300/trip- I want our pilot group to blend those rates and make $199.33 instead of those individual rates-( it gets more complicated than that- but that's the idea and I've noticed it is way more efficient and pilots are happier))
I do not want our union to be fractured by pay scales and size- and do not want inefficient training structures where pilots bounce between fleets chasing money- I want a system where pilots do the flying they want to do w/o financial pressures driving the decisions (which they usually do)
Gary is on the record as saying he sees BWI as a SWA intl hub- and as saying we can handle 2-3 fleet types, least amount is best- but need the right aircraft for the jobs we want to grow-

Agree completely, Wave. The lack of such language protecting a possible smaller aircraft purchase is the main reason I voted no on SL8. No pay raise for a 30% larger aircraft made no sense to me without some assurance we won't be asked to take a pay cut if the company decides 100-seaters are in our future.

 

[waveflyer]

Good point Stop

 

[scoreboardII]

Stop, the second the company comes and asks for a lower rate for a q400 is the day we ask for a bigger rate on the 800, and then do the level the pay deal across our ranks, no problem as I see it.

 

[$$$4nothin]

E-190 Family, 737 Family, A-320 Family. Southwest could own everything between Hawaii and Barbados. Not to mention being serious competition in the DC area, ATL, NY area, BOS, and all of the state of FL. MDW is already wrapped up but would get quite a few ORD slots. SW would without a doubt own the LCC market. Not to mention they could offer both the typical SW no frill product, and a product with some perks for some of those heavy business routes. Doing all of this while keeping the ticket price very low would make a very tough airline to compete with.

 

[waveflyer]

What are the operating costs of each aircraft?
I know you can acquire an e190 for about half a 73 or AB, which is no small thing.

That would put 4 types on the property that all do roughly the same thing- and still no type that crosses oceans well.

It sounds like you want SWA to buy B6, $$$4-0, but are you really prepared for that reality?
What will that integration look like? B6 is even younger than Citrus. Its not realistic to expect an SLI deal that is better than AT got- you cool with about DOH minus 2-4years? How much efficiency will be lost w/ all those fleets?
I'm not saying it won't happen- or wouldn't be smart in the long term if it could get streamlined- but adding B6 at this time could seriously muddy the waters.

 

[scoreboardII]

Blended singlepay rate:

Assuming a fleet of:
500 or so 700's
200 or so 800's
100 or so 717's
then a possible 200 or so E190's

700/800/717 all make same buck now.

If the company wants lower pay for E190, they need to pony up to the rest of the story like this:

500 or so 700's (base jet) at current rate of $190
200 or so 800's (22% more seats, so 22% more pay) at $231
100 or so 717's at $190
200 or so E190's (11% fewer seats so...) at$169

Then, blend this pay so everyone makes the same wage regardless of A/C:

New rate $194hr (600*190+200*231+ 200*169/10,000)

Our rate would actually go up.

 

[fam62c]

I think that SW will have it's hands full for quite some time integrating AT and replacing the planes that need replacing in the existing fleet. Another aircraft type or combination transaction is a long way off if it ever happens. GK may start talking about growth but it's going to be in the context of; "growth is possible but not under our current labor rates and limited flexibility to manage the company as necessary." If you want growth you will have to pay for it. GK was talking growth, growth, growth when he wanted to sell that AT deal. Since then he's been talking cost, cost, cost. Don't listen to what he says, look at what he does; he bought a bunch of 737's. It's OK to dream big but don't be disappointed if nothing happens for a long time. For the next ten years it's probably going to be replacement aircraft and optimizing the current system for maximum efficiency.

 

[ATLplt]

700/800 all make same buck now.

717 is on a B-scale that will (hopefully) snap up to 737 rates in 2015.

There. fixed it for you.

 

[scoreboardII]

Get over yourself, you voted for it.

 

[Fubijaakr]

Get over yourself, you voted for it with a gun to your head.

Fixed it for you.

 

[Max Powers]

Get over yourself, you voted for it.

You're a clueless wonder. Luckily I know a great many good guys over at SWA who make up for yourself.

GROW UP!