SWA/AAI and the flight deck jumpseat

[redflyer65]

As Wave clarified, those guys on both sides of the table hired AFTER Sep 27th will be effectively stapled to whatever the list looks like for the integration of the pilots on property at SWA and AAI on Sep 27th. These discussions are generally about the list as it concerns the pilots on property at the time of the announcement.

As for that, however, yes I think it would be fair if a good portion of your F/O's were placed behind our junior guy - Craig Johnson. My reasons are these:

1) Every AirTran pilots career expectations will be increased drastically by this acquisition, regardless of where they end up on the seniority list; conversely, unless they receive a relative seniority increase, every SWA pilot will actually take a hit to his career expectations due to guys being slotted ahead of him/her and the delaying effect that those extra pilots will have on his upgrade time/seniority advancement. Even without growth, your younger pilot group and dearth of retirements will adversely effect our movement up the seniority list, and this will affect every pilot on our seniority list, but none as much as our junior pilots. Craig Johnson deserves to get the benefit from our greater retirements that he expected before this announcement, or some offsetting benefit in seniority that makes up for the loss of it.

2) By virtue of this acquisition, every F/O on your list will immediately receive greater than the equivalent of an upgrade at AirTran. In pay, in benefits, in schedule quality, in career expectations and career possibilities. It's like all your F/O's are upgrading at AirTran at the same time. When I upgraded, I traded my seniority/quality of life as an F/O for mo' money as a captain and the better life it would obtain for my family. I voluntarily "stapled" myself to the captain list, and I would imagine if offered upgrade at AirTran sans this announcement, the vast majority (lets say 90%) of your F/O's would have done the same thing for the same reason. There are two differences here - one, it's not voluntary and two, they are not becoming captains. But the facts that a) you were acquired and b) this "greater than an upgrade" benefit to their career is happening to all of them at the same time (vs. 1 class at a time if they waited for an AAI upgrade) should be mitigating factors that make it more than reasonable.

I'm not going to get into a pissing match about what I think is fair and what I think isn't as for how many will be at the bottom of a combined list. That's for our NC's to decide. I am just trying to point out some very objective facts that I'm sure our NC will be ready, willing and able to argue in front of your NC, a mediator, or an arbitration panel.

Respectfully and Fraternally,
PapaWoody

Excellent post Papa. Dead on. This never was a merger of equals to begin with.

RF

 

[dicko]

Excellent post Papa. Dead on. This never was a merger of equals to begin with.

RF

Looking forward to flying with you too. You're gonna LUV it.

Tell us a little more about how you are contributing to the SWA culture ? I'm impressed by your upbeat, positive and team player attitude. How do you do it Red ? How do you keep it up ... Day after day ?

 

[27 driver]

And we have 6000 pilots, 550 jets, 40 years, I say YEARS of sustained profitability with no furloughs and when you get hired at Southwest only about 1/10th of 1% ever apply anywhere else.
Plus SWAPA put a stop to what you couldn't - YOUR codeshare. :beer:
I don't mind barbeque recipes but if we're gonna lob grenades let's get our facts straight!

Ya'll have a good, safe, fun weekend.

Gup

And we do what you can't. International. YOUR codeshare. :beer: We all know the facts. We had a few RJ's serving some smaller markets and you have a few 73's serving your international. Most if not everything on here is opinion.

 

[redflyer65]

Dicko,

I have to admit, I didn't come up with that saying myself. It was part of the opening arguments for this SLI.

 

[texman]

Just like we'll help ya put a stop to your codeshare . . . . Volaris.

You can thank us later, Gup!


.

That's funny!LOL! Ty what about the AT cities that are subsidize. Do those count as true cities that AT gained (because of your awesome customer service)?
SWA has never received any hand outs from a city, and never will. So how many true cities does AT bring again?LOL

 

[dicko]

Dicko,

I have to admit, I didn't come up with that saying myself. It was part of the opening arguments for this SLI.

That I believe.

Take a close look at the APA and USAPA. It's the closest you'll get to a time machine.

I don't want that for any of us. That includes you.

 

[texman]

And we do what you can't. International. YOUR codeshare. :beer: We all know the facts. We had a few RJ's serving some smaller markets and you have a few 73's serving your international. Most if not everything on here is opinion.

And just think with our (swa) customers that will increases. Thank GOD we don't work for whipsaw Bedford! Cheers!

 

[texman]

That I believe.

Take a close look at the APA and USAPA. It's the closest you'll get to a time machine.

I don't want that for any of us. That includes you.

This will never happen. Trust me playa!LOL

 

[27 driver]

That's funny!LOL! Ty what about the AT cities that are subsidize. Do those count as true cities that AT gained (because of your awesome customer service)?
SWA has never received any hand outs from a city, and never will. So how many true cities does AT bring again?LOL

Tex,
Do you have a problem with subsidies. If so why? Cities want service and pay us to give it to them. Its easy money with little to no risk. It sounds like good business to me.

 

[ASADFW7]

Like ECP for SWA?