Perspectives on an AirTran and SWA merger

[Benjamin Dover]

Plenty of bravado on here from a few AirTran guys. Your brothers on the line are not so crazy about things - like pay, all 4 day trips, trip trading sucks, won't release guys froms DH's, management-pilot relations can't get any worse - "Klaus" is the devil, etc.

You guys are fooling yourselves if you think a SLI with SWA would be just an even merge. Most of us on the line at SWA were not in favor of a Frontier staple by the way, but F9s union demands were unrealistic. We would not expect a staple or anything close to that with AirTran either, but seems many Airtan guys are failing to consider the better pay, WAY better work rules, QOL and many other benefits or our SWAPA negotiated contract that YOU would be getting if we did merge. One of your guys posted about your "new" contract coming up within 6 months. That was pretty funny actually. How long have you been negotiating? Last summer after we voted down TA1, I heard you would have a new deal before us. And...

So, I hope things go well there. But I really hope we just go into ATL on our own.

 

[ATLplt]

Ben...this place ain't gonna be around in 6 months if we don't get a new contract. Then, your company is welcomed to buy whatever virtual assets AirTran virtually owns. The line swine are sick and tired of being kicked in the balls. This WILL come to a close sooner than later.

If you wanna take on the 200 and 900 lb gorillas in ATL...then go, there's nothing stopping ya. Have fun when DAL puts a 757 5 minutes on each side of all of your departures like they do with us. Tons of money to be made here. That's why we're drawing down our ATL ops and sending more flights to BWI, MCO, and MKE. We make more money going head to head with SWA than mother D.

 

[400ADude]

Ben...this place ain't gonna be around in 6 months if we don't get a new contract. Then, your company is welcomed to buy whatever virtual assets AirTran virtually owns. The line swine are sick and tired of being kicked in the balls. This WILL come to a close sooner than later.

One can only hope.

 

[Ty Webb]

If you wanna take on the 200 and 900 lb gorillas in ATL...then go, there's nothing stopping ya. Have fun when DAL puts a 757 5 minutes on each side of all of your departures like they do with us. Tons of money to be made here. That's why we're drawing down our ATL ops and sending more flights to BWI, MCO, and MKE. We make more money going head to head with SWA than mother D.

Absolutely. It's one thing to compete against Delta, but another thing entirely to compete against Delta in their fortress hub AND a strong number two who has a lower CASM. Not smart, even if you could get the gates.

 

[PCL_128]

Good lord. This thread sure went downhill fast.=

Just imagine what it would be like if a merger was actually announced. Which is exactly why I don't think GK would ever be interested in it. Trying to combine two airlines of this size with such different seniority demographics always turns out poorly and harms the culture. He won't risk it.

 

[MILPILOT17]

Absolutely. It's one thing to compete against Delta, but another thing entirely to compete against Delta in their fortress hub AND a strong number two who has a lower CASM. Not smart, even if you could get the gates.

You are right on the mark. I'm pretty sure that's why you won't see any SWA metal in ATL today or anytime in the near future.

 

[Lear70]

So, I hope things go well there. But I really hope we just go into ATL on our own.

Well, can't disagree with you there, which I think is generally the tone of just about everyone on this thread...

 

[FlyinGuy]

Ben..gotta disagree with ya on thinking that SWA did not want a staple (F9). To really understand this we have to explore a little deeper. I personally believe that a staple (or near staple) in this instance complied with fair and equitable. All I have seen is another airline getting huge raises and bennies if they are bought by SWA. They want all the goodies and they want to keep their relative seniority (or better). They say that they are bringing different cities....well that goes both ways. To me that is not fair and equitable. There is a difference between F9 and AT. There is also a difference between the current AT and a possible AT after a good contract. Fair and equitable will be determined from a point in time. That will make a big difference if a deal ever goes down.

FWIW, I hope this all comes to nothing. I think SWA will be better off if they grow within.