SWA-AAI Going Rogue

[Crash Pad]

Ok so my quick scan of the thread shows. Straight date of hire. No seat locks etc.

Is that what will keep poop out of my seat?

 

[CaptAntoineMack]

The arbitrator(s) will make that decision. I hope everyone on this thread copies what is written, and sends it to the lawyers, since they will be arguing it with the neutrals. And GK will have NO say when it comes to arbitration. And who will have a bad "rap" before going to SWA? Who cares? You get in the plane, and you fly it. You will ALL have the same uniforms (Fonzi like jackets), and it won't matter after 6 months goes by. You are making way too much out of this.

And you Mr Jetblue, better watch out with AA sniffing your heiny. That really won't be fun if that ever happens.


Bye Bye--General Lee

Why do care about this so much?

Very strange.

 

[texman]

How much is it costing SWA to purchase AT?

I think it is 600+ mil cash and 57 million in stock purchase, but then again why sell a biz if they felt it was going to be long term successful. Did I hear AT was 2 bil in debt?

 

[General Lee]

Why do care about this so much?

Very strange.

Very strange? We just went through this, and all of this exact stuff happened prior to our SLI. Guess what? The arbitrators made the decisions, and it was about right down the middle, something you SWA guys can't seem to understand. But, I do think it is comical watching this because of your extreme cockiness, and it will be great to see the final outcome. It won't be what you are expecting, which is DOH, STAPLE, or anything close to that. It is time for you to start embrasing that idea. Have fun.



Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[General Lee]

I think it is 600+ mil cash and 57 million in stock purchase, but then again why sell a biz if they felt it was going to be long term successful. Did I hear AT was 2 bil in debt?

Think how much debt DL and NWA had prior to the merger? Plenty. Did it matter to the arbitrators? Nope. F9 was in BK, but AT is not even close. Every company carries some debt, even SWA, right? Keep swinging, maybe you will hit something....


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[texman]

Think how much debt DL and NWA had prior to the merger? Plenty. Did it matter to the arbitrators? Nope. F9 was in BK, but AT is not even close. Every company carries some debt, even SWA, right? Keep swinging, maybe you will hit something....


Bye Bye--General Lee

Gen it's all good, this is not two government bail out carriers. Yes I understand your point about arbitration. We can't do anything about it, that's if it does go to arbitration. Yes, after the Acquisition is complete SWA will be carrying alot of AT debt. What people don't understand is the share holders of both sides see this as a opportunity to make a lot of cash. The Rioc will hit 25% which will create explosive growth to 2000-07 levels. What I would be worried about gen is your own turf in ATL, and MSP. Remember the little airline that could in Texas. Well our mgt still feels the need to grow and not be the little guy.

 

[texman]

What ever body needs to watch out for the only legacy carrier that is sitting on a lot of cash and that never went BK. AMR will buy us all, unless Volaris does.lol

 

[Full of LUV]

Gen it's all good, this is not two government bail out carriers. Yes I understand your point about arbitration. We can't do anything about it, that's if it does go to arbitration. Yes, after the Acquisition is complete SWA will be carrying alot of AT debt. What people don't understand is the share holders of both sides see this as a opportunity to make a lot of cash. The Rioc will hit 25% which will create explosive growth to 2000-07 levels. What I would be worried about gen is your own turf in ATL, and MSP. Remember the little airline that could in Texas. Well our mgt still feels the need to grow and not be the little guy.

Texman,
Hope your right, just not sure how many more connecting the dots are waiting in "untapped" territory, perhaps SWA can double again but "explosive" growth is harder when your company is already large, SWA is no longer a "little" airline.
Also a point of order, DAL or NWA didn't take (actually never applied) for ATSB loans, or "Govt Bailouts" as you refer to them, in fact only "little" airlines ever received loans from the govt post 9/11 and even UAL was shut out. The airlines went BK which means the creditors (private companies) took losses on credit extended to the companies along with bond holders and banks who make loans. In the end though, both companies were able to find additional private investors to exit bankruptcy on their own.
We'll see how "explosive" the growth is, but to discount your competition can be to your peril.
And yes the pilot profession owes a debt of gratitude to SWAPA for the elimination of DB pilot pensions and age 65 advocacy along with the $59 fares, those have been a hoot!

 

[Full of LUV]

What ever body needs to watch out for the only legacy carrier that is sitting on a lot of cash and that never went BK. AMR will buy us all, unless Volaris does.lol

Wow, and here I thought you actually worked for SWA..... AMR has more debt than a millenium realestate investor in LAS.

 

[redflyer65]

You will ALL have the same uniforms (Fonzi like jackets),


Bye Bye--General Lee

Says the Riverboat FO. That's the worse looking jacket I've seen.

Full steam ahead General!

 

[BoilerUP]

Wow, and here I thought you actually worked for SWA..... AMR has more debt than a millenium realestate investor in LAS.

AMR has more cash on hand and less debt than Delta does.

 

[puddlejumper101]

My perspective as a 7 year SWA F/O.

1. Seat protection or lock for Tranny CA's is unacceptable and would create a caustic work environment.

2. Forget fencing out the 717 also. SWAPA negotiated a maximum 24 month fence in our contract for a reason. We don't want lesser paid pilots running around our system on a fenced out airplane that happens to be the same size as a -500. Hello...can you say B-Scale anyone? In all likelihood, those airplanes will end up deployed on our short haul routes out of TX and West Coast so no way in hades we want it fenced out of our hands permanently.

3. Date of hire...not what I want but realistically a possibility provided the maximum 24 month duration fence applies around your operation. After 24 months, we get into ATL and your aircraft and seats and you get into our system. You get what your seniority holds Southwest and no more...

I think this is where this SLI will end up. I think except for the 10% militant on both sides, most of us expect something like what you said. Airtran pilots expecting to keep the left seat after the fence comes down are dreaming. Also, one pay scale would be awesome, so that way training costs are kept at bay. This is just my opinion, but I bet 80% of us (both at Airtran and SWA) see this coming, wich means no arbitration. the other 20%, well they will be annoyingly militant for a while until the other 80% finally tells them to STFU and get to work. Rumor has it that SWA will have 10,000 pilots by 2015. we shall see.

By the way, DAL/NWA was a different animal than SWA/AT. The only reason that went ok with arbitration was because both companies were very similar in size and longevity.

 

[texman]

Wow, and here I thought you actually worked for SWA..... AMR has more debt than a millenium realestate investor in LAS.

Just playing holmes!lol Trying to find some humor.

 

[CaptAntoineMack]

Very strange? We just went through this, and all of this exact stuff happened prior to our SLI. Guess what? The arbitrators made the decisions, and it was about right down the middle, something you SWA guys can't seem to understand. But, I do think it is comical watching this because of your extreme cockiness, and it will be great to see the final outcome. It won't be what you are expecting, which is DOH, STAPLE, or anything close to that. It is time for you to start embrasing that idea. Have fun.



Bye Bye--General Lee

Again. Very strange. And third grade logic. If it happens to me it will certainly happen to you. Yea.....OK.

 

[amfteamster]

Why are we doing this to each other? I will be simple and frank. I have worked at 6 airlines prior to coming to work at AirTran. I have been furloughed more than most anybody I have ever met. I have applied and been hired at Legacy carriers and I have applied and been denied by LCC's as well, Southwest included.

I came to AirTran a few years ago because it was the best offer I had at the time. It wasn't great but it was a job flying Boeing Jets and getting a steady paycheck, most of the time and so I was pleased to take it. I am still very pleased to have a job today. Lord knows I have been without one many times before so I never look a gift horse in the mouth.

On September 27th my ex-wife called me. I couldn't figure out why she was calling but i answered the phone anyway. I was shocked that she was actually being nice and I asked her what was up? She said nothing I just felt like calling and congratulating you on your lottery win. I had no idea what she was talking about until she told me she had heard on the news that SWA had bought AirTran. I have to say I was exstatic to say the least.

Now, a few months have gone by and I am as excited as I was on day one and I believe most of my coworkers are too however I am begining to get more concerned by the day. Here at AirTran we have a reputation for being militant, over the top, and out right rediculous in our demands. I am concerned that the 8% of our group that are the loudest will ruin this for the rest of us. I have called no less than 100 of my peers and they for the most part feel the same. Dont screw this up for us. We have worked hard, had hard knocks, and finally are catching a huge break for once in our careers.

All but 2 or the guys I have spoken with told me they would take a staple and be happy as a pig in Sh!t. I would have to agree.

I hope you SWA guys on this board will please tell your MEC that we are a reasonable bunch of guys at AirTran for the most part and all we want is a fair chance at a job flying for SWA. Our so called leadership doesn't necessarily speak for the majority. Please don't let our guys do to us what the Frontier union leaders did to their group. We want to come over and join the family and if a staple is what it takes for that to happen so be it. Please don't let ALPA ruin this like ALPA has ruined my career expectations so many times in the past.

Thanks for listening Swapa and before any of you loud AAI types start throwing the darts be honest with yourselfs and admit that I speak for the majority and you speak for yourself.

 

[bladeusa]

All but 2 or the guys I have spoken with told me they would take a staple and be happy as a pig in Sh!t. I would have to agree.

.

good attempt.. care to post your employee number.. at SWA.

 

[amfteamster]

I guess I was wrong. It is 9% that are unreasonable. If you are who I think you are we are not far apart on our list. We are both close to "Face" and "Derby" as 2006 newhires?

I don't understand why you would want to create havoc when there is no need. Smarten up Les. This isn't a game this is our careers on the line.

 

[bladeusa]

Look at his post history.. hmmm maybe i have an old profile on here i need to resurrect and stir the pot with some fake claims.. On second thought, i'm going to just drink a few cold ones and watch MNF. Get the 2 sides to agree where they can.. send the rest to Mediation and let the chips fall where they may and lets move on.

 

[bladeusa]

I have no clue who "Face" is.. but its easy to tell when i started here by looking at my post history as well.. you have to do a lot better than that. -and i'm far from unreasonable.

 

[S3sundowner]

Teamster, finally an aai pilot talking sense. The swa guys/gals are getting seriously vocal about the ranting aai pilots on here. Sincerely hope you are more of the "norm" at aai. The swa guys are looking forward to the opportunities of the combined operation, and want to work with guys like you. Good luck at swa and don't let the "9%ers" ruin this opportunity.