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

[ugasucks]

You think SWA managment knows the term ATLANTATUDE. As all of us born and raised in Atlanta know they are in for a rude awaking.

 

[fngswa]

What is fair and equitable

First, congrats to AAI guys. At first glance, it is a windfall for you guys. Welcome to an in house union...pros and cons but mostly pro. M&A's are tough (so i've heard), hope this doesn't turn out to be US Airways debacle. So what is fair and equitable, a 7 year FO at SWA makes more than a 7 year Captain? Do we look at pay or position...little of both. 50% of SWA pilots were hired after Mar 01. So we have a lot of "new" pilots, our senior guys will probably stay right where they are. Sadly, in the end, the opinion of one arbitrater matters...between now and then let the flightinfo experts go to town
My parents non-reved on Airtran a lot between Atlanta and Orlando...were treated great. thanks
Hope the best for all!

 

[doh]

Hmmm. NorWelta. UneeTEDinental. LUVtrain? FLyWiN? SWAT?

I like playing name combos.

I like LUVtrain. I still can't believe they let Virgin use Red Wood for a call sign! Too funny! I can just see the Virgin guy telling the FAA with a straight face: "Um, no. It's the tree we're talking about...":laugh:

 

[doh]

Let me add my congratulations to Lear! Glad that is behind you.

 

[dbrownie]

I can only IMAGINE the reaction from Delta's management when they heard the news. But I'm sure they all got together for an emergency meeting to confirm their coolness and being the world's biggest carrier....oh wait, crap. I don't think this is good news AT ALL for big D with SW being a dominate player in the ATL. Grabbing the popcorn now......along with some Pep.

The good news I see is that now our company/union won't be able to club us with "we need the lower rates to stay competitive with Airtran" BS as SWA pilots pay is much higher on the 737 than ours.......also maybe we will get some of the Airtran 717s as Southwest replaces them with 737s.

 

[a320drivr]

Now what happens to the likes of LCC, JBLU, ALK.

We at jb are completely screwed with no CBA. Thanks bobs and non voters.

 

[whatitdoing?]

Curious what AA and UsAir will be doing in the next few months?

 

[Heavy Set]

I bet Delta and AK get together. They already have a big codeshare going, and they park at each other's gates.

 

[Jeff Helgeson]

and guess what.....

90% post's on this thread just confirm to me how many dork's are in aviation!!!!

........with the Waffle House on your Avatat, you are one of them! Welcome to the club. You have been a member and didn't even know it. Emphasis on "member"

 

[Red Baron]

Welcome AirTran pilots!

 

[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.