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

[Mongolikecandy]

I found out during our first leg today via acars from our dispatcher. I thought he was messing with us. Was glad to find out he was not. As a junior guy at AT, I couldn't be happier. (unless I get furloughed, then i might be a little unhappy)

 

[ableone]

Yes, I did. With longevity and seniority. Just had my 737 oral on Saturday, start sims this Wednesday.

Congratulations.

Great news.

 

[SWA/FO]

from a SWA Forum.....senior management ground school briefing:

- 2 Facts. 1) We are Aquiring Airtran, 2) We are NOT going into DFW
- They have 7800 employees/1600ish Pilots, all will be absorbed into SWA
- 86 717s with 117 seats will be kept (breaking leases is very expensive)
- 52 -700s (all their A/C will be reconfigured to SWA all coach)
- 51 Firm orders for -700s thru 2017 will be kept, possible switched to -800s
- We overlap on only 18 city pair, so DOJ approval likely
- we paid 675M? in Cash, and another 675M? in Stock. They have 400M in cash on hand, so THIS IS A VERY GOOD DEAL.
- We get ATL with 200 flts a day right off the bat.
- We get 36? new cities and some carribbean right off the bat.
- Estimate of 2BILLION revenue increase for this investment.
- They have slots at LGA and DCA. We will not be using in DFW slots.
- A 5-8 month ramp up and 2 years to fully integrate Airtran in SWA.
- DING DING DING: Will be hiring beginning Jan/ Feb TWO CLASSES of 20, to be ready for March schedule, which has our Aircraft daily useage above 13 hours per day.

 

[Whataburger]

from a SWA Forum.....senior management ground school briefing:

- 2 Facts. 1) We are Aquiring Airtran, 2) We are NOT going into DFW
- They have 7800 employees/1600ish Pilots, all will be absorbed into SWA
- 86 717s with 117 seats will be kept (breaking leases is very expensive)
- 52 -700s (all their A/C will be reconfigured to SWA all coach)
- 51 Firm orders for -700s thru 2017 will be kept, possible switched to -800s
- We overlap on only 18 city pair, so DOJ approval likely
- we paid 675M? in Cash, and another 675M? in Stock. They have 400M in cash on hand, so THIS IS A VERY GOOD DEAL.
- We get ATL with 200 flts a day right off the bat.
- We get 36? new cities and some carribbean right off the bat.
- Estimate of 2BILLION revenue increase for this investment.
- They have slots at LGA and DCA. We will not be using in DFW slots.
- A 5-8 month ramp up and 2 years to fully integrate Airtran in SWA.
- DING DING DING: Will be hiring beginning Jan/ Feb TWO CLASSES of 20, to be ready for March schedule, which has our Aircraft daily useage above 13 hours per day.

All great news. Thx for sharing!

 

[WayBack]

How long until PCL starts slapping his "We Are ALPA" stickers on WN yokes?

All along, PCL has been riding SWAPA's coat tails.

Since Delta leases 70% of the gates in ATL, I just don't think that is possible. Those gates have long term leases too with the city. But, if you think that, well, I guess you might be wrong. But regardless, HAVE A FANTASTIC DAY!


Bye Bye--General Lee

It's hard to pay the lease on a gate when you're losing money.
We've all seen what short work SWA has made of USAir on the east coast.

 

[Stinkbug]

So should I go buy a 717 type now?

 

[Aplus9]

I'll bet Delta management looks like a dog $hittin a peach seed! You can bet this was not anywhere close to what Delta wants!

Just my opinion......

FNG

Very nice....Go Dawgs

 

[Boxboy]

Congrats to Airtran guys! I think it will work out well for the two groups. Now, only if WN buys AS... It would be worth every penny just to say bye bye to ALPO! Wishful thinking, I know.

 

[crashpad]

My gut is on the floor. I have so many friends at Air Tran, and think we all know where this is headed. My best to you guys.

 

[caseyd]

McCaskill Bond amendment. couple of senators from Missouri who weren't too happy with how the American/TWA SLI drafted the law. SLI's have to be fair and equitable. Good luck defining that!!

USAPA would tell you McCaskill Bond means DOH. We'll see.