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

[damnflyboy]

If you SWA guys figure out how to find some employees with work-ethic in ATL, could you let the rest of us know? Getting parked is a b*tch. Thanks!

 

[whatitdoing?]

1) I was only stating that DAL is the biggest airline flying out of ATL (a fact that will remain unchanged after the UAL/CAL merger). Nevertheless, I honestly don't care about flying for the "biggest airline in the world." Bragging rights like that do nothing for me.

2) See nothing but orange? You mean "Barney Blue," right? Also, I see more UAL than SWA out of DEN. And I see WAAAAAY more DAL out of SLC than I see SWA. So I highly doubt SWA be pushing Delta around out of ATL (Delta's stronghold). The fact that SWA has had their way with Frontier and US Air doesn't mean anything when you consider the strength of DAL in ATL.

3) Kudos to SWA for making money when everyone else wasn't! That's awesome. My point was that DAL has an extremely competitive cost structure as evidenced by recent earnings. So yes, I think DAL is better at making money... for now. I think that's why SWA is pulling the trigger on this deal. They know they can't continue to compete with their current business model. This is a very bold, and desperate, move for them. They've caught merger fever...just like everyone else.

The intent of my original post was to shut up the retard who thinks SWA can push DAL out of ATL. I know SWA is a strong, well run company. I have many friends there. I'm not saying DAL will smash them. I'm just saying good luck pushing DAL out of ATL. Hell will freeze over before that happens.

I was just reacting to your arrogant Delta attitude of ruling the world. Careful what you say in 'bold' there. Pan Am and Eastern said the same thing. SWA coming to ATL, no matter how you look at it, it's a good thing for Delta at all. I'm sure Delta management will come up with a pep rally saying Delta is 'god' like and protected by higher beings, but I caution you in believing that. Believe me, I'm not saying the new UAL will be all that....in fact, I think it's going to be a disaster that'll take 20 years to fix, but that's just me. You have to remember that ATL is a 'world hub', but only in the sense that it's a world 'connection' hub. Delta won't be able to charge a premium out of ATL anymore. With SWA flying to major destinations in the tropics, to NYC, DCA, MCO and others.....Delta loses the high yield market. Time will tell, just grab the popcorn and pep.

 

[whatitdoing?]

If you SWA guys figure out how to find some employees with work-ethic in ATL, could you let the rest of us know? Getting parked is a b*tch. Thanks!

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?

 

[GuppyWN]

Yeah MDW.

Gup

 

[whatitdoing?]

Ya know, just reading this, it's hard to believe you call Delta arrogant. At least by even YOUR reasoning DAL will be the second or third biggest airline So at least now that SWA is going to be eating if for lunch as you say, it will be a lot of lunches.

I have no idea what you're talking about. Read Morgan's post and tell me if you see arrogance. My response has to deal with Delta pilot's arrogance no matter where or how I meet them. I swear, they're brought to a puzzle factory and reassembled. Sort of like the "Borg" if you watch Star Trek. The damn place is like the "Collective". Anyhow, I was defending SWA and saying that Delta is in for a rude and huge awakening. I worked under the Delta brand for almost 9 years and I couldn't stand it. I've never seen such arrogance and kool aid drinking mofos in my life. By stating that they can't say they're the biggest and baddest airline around anymore, well, let's just say it puts a smile on my face. Am I saying the new UAL is gonna be awesome....are you kidding? I've never seen such a beat up, demoralized, and old arse airline in my life. This is gonna be a disaster, but I'm along for the ride. Would I like to see Delta go under? Heck no. I have a lot of friends there. But do I want them to be schooled and humbled to the point that their arrogance fades away.....you bet.

 

[WayBack]

No, you didn't. BTW, I'm sorry for calling you a retard. That's an insult to retards!

Brush up your resume, looks like SWA is going to have classes next year. I'm sure by that time you'll already be warned of your furlough at MotherDelta, plus it's a pay raise.

Anyone top it besides DCA?

PHL

 

[FrustratedCFI]

Southwest's History is not good with other groups.

Southwest has a poor history with acquisitions. Never taking people, just gates and jets. Maybe this is to protect their most valuable asset, their employee culture. Their corporate culture of "Our way is the only way" did, however, cause them to lose the bid for Frontier. I would be surprised if SW's union started from anywhere but a Staple position. They started with great attitudes but lately I've felt like they are getting a little too arrogant for the AW Schucks were just good ol texas boys they started as. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that their hiring process is less "lets have a beer and get to know each other" that is was and more "why do you think you are good enough to work here". I'm a little sad that I feel that is accurate to say. It amazes me that every group that starts to do well seems to forget that they are not gods gift the the cockpit and in fact are just another pilot like the rest of us. Maybe time will show that I'm wrong. That would be good news. Good luck Airtran guys and gals.

 

[xrated]

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?

Hands down KPHL...and you all know it too!!

 

[Captzaahlie]

Cincinnati is up for grabs still!

Makes sense, the reduction of Comair makes plenty of room for it.

 

[AirMorgan]

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?

Well, speaking from the DAL side of things, I know ATL rampers are slow, but I gotta say PHL is absolutely the worst I've ever seen. Their speed (or lack thereof) is rivaled only by snails.

 

[Captzaahlie]

Congrats to AirTran pilots!

As a 3yr SWA F/O I can assure you this is the place to work. While I have no idea how SLI will be resolved I do know that the success or failure of our (SWA and AirTran) company will depend largely on how we as pilots, work together to make our combined company the best in the industry.

While a little nervous as to the news and not knowing what will happen, this I know:

1. SWA is a great company to work for. I trust my mngt. The people I work with are great and all share the vision.

2. I work hard but paid well. Last month I grossed over $14,000. (3yr pay).

3. Our benefits are excellent. Low cost medical, 4o1k, profit sharring. etc.

4. SWA has never furloughed. This won't change, its ingrained in our culture.

5. No bad attitudes. Sure there are some but I haven't seen it.

6. Company is profitable and will be here when I retire.

Let's work together and make it work!

Word!

 

[AirMorgan]

I was just reacting to your arrogant Delta attitude of ruling the world. Careful what you say in 'bold' there. Pan Am and Eastern said the same thing. SWA coming to ATL, no matter how you look at it, it's a good thing for Delta at all. I'm sure Delta management will come up with a pep rally saying Delta is 'god' like and protected by higher beings, but I caution you in believing that. Believe me, I'm not saying the new UAL will be all that....in fact, I think it's going to be a disaster that'll take 20 years to fix, but that's just me. You have to remember that ATL is a 'world hub', but only in the sense that it's a world 'connection' hub. Delta won't be able to charge a premium out of ATL anymore. With SWA flying to major destinations in the tropics, to NYC, DCA, MCO and others.....Delta loses the high yield market. Time will tell, just grab the popcorn and pep.

Perhaps my attempt to squash the SWA arrogance I've seen in here has bred even more arrogance on my part. I reread a couple of my posts and I can understand how one would presume I'm being arrogant. Sorry about that. I certainly don't think DAL is perfect or immune from the likes of SWA. Am I worried about them? No. Because DAL is more than handling them out of SLC.

But I do think this is a very good thing for us because, in my opinion, we (DAL) do have a customer service problem. It has been getting better but it is still nowhere near where it needs to be. Going up against SWA will force management to take a real look at this issue. I think SWA will end up raising the bar for DAL; and that's a good thing.

For me, the bottom line is this: there is good and bad at every airline. Even SWA has its issues. I just wish I could take SWA's employee culture, mix it with jetBlue's customer service, Fed Ex's pay, and DAL's route structure. That would be a kick-ass place to work.

 

[PRINCE AKEEM]

Akeem looks forward to sling'n some corndog gear!

 

[chase]

Dear Frustrated,

Interesting observation. Always looks different from the outside but so readers aren't unintentionally mislead I've corrected some of the statements below:

Southwest has a poor history with acquisitions. Never taking people, just gates and jets. (SWAPA added nearly 200 Morris Air pilots in 1994...they were placed on the seniority list as one large group...the airline was 10 yrs old, had 22 aircraft, SWA had 178 aicraft...all other Morris employees were employed also) Maybe this is to protect their most valuable asset, their employee culture. (Yes and no...culture is important but Morris and AirTran were not in bankruptcy, Frontier and ATA was...with Frontier a bankruptcy judge setting deadlines, parties couldn't find agreement, with ATA it was open to others to bid on assets that were up for sale.....not the case now...airlines are employment agencies...they are in the business of making profits which in the case of SWA some of which flow into the pockets of the employees) Their corporate culture of "Our way is the only way" did, however, cause them to lose the bid for Frontier. (What corporate culture doesn't believe "its culture" is the best? otherwise it isn't a culture, it is a constant polling of "which way do we go"....it is called leadership and SWA is blessed to have had good leadership in the past and present...we aren't saying others are bad or we're superior, we're just happy with what SWA has in terms of culture. We didn't lose the bid for culture....see note above, bankruptcy judge timetables without enough time to sort out details.) I would be surprised if SW's union started from anywhere but a Staple position. (I won't go into what opening positions are but I would suspect that AirTran will request the best deal for their pilots for their opener and SWAPA would do the same thing...wouldn't your union do the same? This is a business decision, not personal....I have friends at AirTran and I wouldn't want to try to tell them what is best for their pilots nor would I suspect they would tell me what is best for SWA pilots either...trying to put "personalities" to negotiations clouds the issue IMHO.) They started with great attitudes but lately I've felt like they are getting a little too arrogant for the AW Schucks were just good ol texas boys they started as. (Fine line between confidence and bravado...forums are terrible places to make that determination....riding jumpseat, how airlines treat your families when they non-rev and other first hand experiences are the best indicators I think) I wouldn't be surprised to hear that their hiring process is less "lets have a beer and get to know each other" that is was and more "why do you think you are good enough to work here". (Interview process is being tweaked but not as you described....pleased don't prejudge SWA but talk to those first attendees and see what they have to say) I'm a little sad that I feel that is accurate to say. (Don't be sad...SWA is still a great place to work, it isn't for everyone but for most who are hired, they find it an enjoyable work environment and are glad to be working for SWA...hope that doesn't come off as bravado but simply observations from the inside) It amazes me that every group that starts to do well seems to forget that they are not gods gift the the cockpit and in fact are just another pilot like the rest of us. Maybe time will show that I'm wrong. That would be good news. Good luck Airtran guys and gals.

I agree with your last statement....good luck to my friends at AirTran....they have a great spirit and have persevered under very trying conditions and still make profits....when it is all said and done, we will all be one and it will be very good for all.

cheers

 

[turn&pull]

The most important thing about this seniority integration is that the majority of the pilots of both sides come out willing to work together to do what is best for the combined company.

There will most likely be a minority on both sides who get screwed or at least feel that they did but at the end of the day I hope we can all keep in mind the long term success of the new combined airline.

Best of luck to all and I will try to remind myself of this when I am the guy that gets screwed.