Southwest Airlines to Acquire AirTran; Spreading Low Fares Farther 6:55 am - PR Newsw

[PCL_128]

The catch though is...its not a merger..its a buy.

In the eyes of the law, there is no difference. As long as more than 50% of the assets are acquired, it's a merger transaction under Bond-McCaskil.

 

[Citrus531]

SWA is in for a rude awakening. The first time they see a 'dance off' at 2am with tugs in a circle with their lights on, they'll realize the need to 'import' some SWA help. ATL is by far....wait, DCA is worse....but ATL has the laziest, most disfunctional and unmotivated ramp force in the country. Anyone top it besides DCA?

AirTran ramp has vastly improved in the 7 years I've been here. There are some bad apples but for the most part, there's a lot of hard working managers and supervisors in Atlanta.

 

[Lear70]

The one you might get to meet in your preferential interview.

There isn't going to be an interview. Sorry if you don't like dem apples, but dems da facts.

Yeah...I read it. But I don't believe everything airline CEO's tell me. Do you???

When it's in an SEC statement required by federal law and backed by MORE federal law (Bond-McCaskill)? Yes, I do.

CEO's can make certain "forward-looking statements" in press releases that should not be taken for absolute fact. However, when they're made part of an SEC filing about operational issues such as merging two companies...

But thanks for the warm wishes, anyway.

p.s. Unless I preface my statements by saying "moderator hat on", the statements I make are my opinions only and do not reflect FI policy. I didn't cease to have an opinion the minute I agreed to be a Mod.

 

[Regul8r]

There isn't going to be an interview. Sorry if you don't like dem apples, but dems da facts.


When it's in an SEC statement required by federal law and backed by MORE federal law (Bond-McCaskill)? Yes, I do.

CEO's can make certain "forward-looking statements" in press releases that should not be taken for absolute fact. However, when they're made part of an SEC filing about operational issues such as merging two companies...

But thanks for the warm wishes, anyway.

p.s. Unless I preface my statements by saying "moderator hat on", the statements I make are my opinions only and do not reflect FI policy. I didn't cease to have an opinion the minute I agreed to be a Mod.

As has been mentioned before...it's a buyout, SEC rulings be damned. SWA and the lawyers did their homework. First and foremost, they're going to protect their business, and that doesn't involve letting long drawn out labor disputes get in the way. Gary is playing the PR cards very well.

It wouldn't be wise to follow PCL...it's definitely not the first time he's been wrong. You gotta learn sometime, right?

 

[Regul8r]

In the eyes of the law, there is no difference. As long as more than 50% of the assets are acquired, it's a merger transaction under Bond-McCaskil.

How do you feel now that ALPA Airtran is going away?

 

[Lear70]

As has been mentioned before...it's a buyout, SEC rulings be damned. SWA and the lawyers did their homework. First and foremost, they're going to protect their business, and that doesn't involve letting long drawn out labor disputes get in the way. Gary is playing the PR cards very well.

It wouldn't be wise to follow PCL...it's definitely not the first time he's been wrong. You gotta learn sometime, right?

I don't follow PCL, he follows me.

Seriously though, you're so far out in left field with this thing, it's scary, but it's a VERY well-played attempt at flame. If those pesky little things like Federal Law and violations of SEC filings didn't regularly end up with people in jail, people might actually *listen* to you.

As it is, I'm not concerned about it. They're going to acquire the airline intact - it's not like they're buying just the gates and landing slots, they're acquiring over 100 aircraft. They need our employees; it's just that simple, and in this job economy, threatening the job security of thousands of workers is a quick way to get the DoJ to step in and nix the whole thing.

Just the way of the world, my friend. But nice try.

 

[Regul8r]

Seriously though, you're so far out in left field with this thing, it's scary, but it's a VERY well-played attempt at flame. If those pesky little things like Federal Law and violations of SEC filings didn't regularly end up with people in jail, people might actually *listen* to you.

As it is, I'm not concerned about it. They're going to acquire the airline intact - it's not like they're buying just the gates and landing slots, they're acquiring over 100 aircraft. They need our employees; it's just that simple, and in this job economy, threatening the job security of thousands of workers is a quick way to get the DoJ to step in and nix the whole thing.

Just the way of the world, my friend. But nice try.

Hope the denial is helping you sleep at night, sweety

 

[Bake]

Lear70, I know you are just jerking this guys chain as you are smart enough to understand the flame coming out of his (you know what). I hope the rest of you over at AAI look forward to working together to make SWA a better place. Personally, I think this is all going to work out very well.

BAke

 

[Lear70]

Hope the denial is helping you sleep at night, sweety

Don't tease me...

 

[Regul8r]

Lear70, I know you are just jerking this guys chain as you are smart enough to understand the flame coming out of his (you know what). I hope the rest of you over at AAI look forward to working together to make SWA a better place. Personally, I think this is all going to work out very well.

BAke

Flame because it disagrees with you?

Riiiiiight...how's that "negotiation" for relative seniority coming along?

 

[satpak77]

the more "interesting" part is how the employee cultures will blend.

 

[PCL_128]

How do you feel now that ALPA Airtran is going away?

ALPA has done great things for our pilots, so I'm sad to see ALPA go. But in the end, this merger is the best thing for both pilot groups, and SWAPA has developed a very good relationship with Southwest management that seems to work for them. I'll always believe that an international union is in everyone's best interests, and I hope that someday in the future all pilots in North America will be represented by ALPA. Until that day, I'll wear my SWAPA wings, attend SWAPA meetings, and vote in SWAPA elections. If SWAPA is my union, I'll be a proud SWAPA member.

 

[Lear70]

Flame because it disagrees with you?

No, because everyone else can see that you're WAY off-base here. You know, that whole "everyone's out of step but Johnny" kind of thing (aka you're the only one going off on this tangent and the legal facts just don't support it).

But you go right ahead trying, I'm sure someone new to the boards will bite before too long.

Riiiiiight...how's that "negotiation" for relative seniority coming along?

Negotiations for the SLI haven't started and likely won't start for a couple more months. The SLI is also the last part of the deal, a LOT of other things for merging the two pilot groups to do first, bridge agreement, etc. Do some research; I doubt we'll be working on seniority until after the first of the year.

 

[DieselDragRacer]

On 9/11, 4 of us took ATA from ATL-AUA and as I walked off the plane I shook the captain's hand and said good luck with your contract because you guys deserve SWA money. He smiled and said thank you just as the head FA burst out into laughter.

FFWD two weeks and as the wife and I hop in the car to go ATA from ATL-SFO, we hear this on the radio first thing in the AM.

Congrats to all involved as I think the world of ATA, but I'm going to miss Business Class and XM.

 

[HalinTexas]

On 9/11, 4 of us took ATA from ATL-AUA and as I walked off the plane I shook the captain's hand and said good luck with your contract because you guys deserve SWA money. He smiled and said thank you just as the head FA burst out into laughter.

FFWD two weeks and as the wife and I hop in the car to go ATA from ATL-SFO, we hear this on the radio first thing in the AM.

Congrats to all involved as I think the world of ATA, but I'm going to miss Business Class and XM.

Airtran is NOT ATA. ATA is defunct for 2 1/2 years.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATA_Airlines

 

[WildcatFan]

Bring on the arbitrator! He will take one look at the value of the two careers and realize the ONLY thing a SWA guy gets out of this is a seniority bump. This WILL got to arbitration when AT refuses our offer...and I look forward it.

 

[Regul8r]

I don't follow PCL, he follows me.

Seriously though, you're so far out in left field with this thing, it's scary, but it's a VERY well-played attempt at flame. If those pesky little things like Federal Law and violations of SEC filings didn't regularly end up with people in jail, people might actually *listen* to you.

As it is, I'm not concerned about it. They're going to acquire the airline intact - it's not like they're buying just the gates and landing slots, they're acquiring over 100 aircraft. They need our employees; it's just that simple, and in this job economy, threatening the job security of thousands of workers is a quick way to get the DoJ to step in and nix the whole thing.

Just the way of the world, my friend. But nice try.

How'd that go...."just the way of the world, my friend???" Sweet dreams, Cupcake
http://atwonline.com/airline-financ...tran-plans-if-pilot-integration-vote-fails-10

 

[maru657]

Low fares? Look up the price of fares out of HOU.