Ty, I find it interesting that you chose to make a comparison in 1989. So let's do just that.
In 1989, while SWA pilots were flying for a good wage (and making plenty more in profit sharing and stock options), several hundred future AirTran pilots were crossing a line at Eastern. They were making the statement to the rest of the industry that they will gladly stab their brothers in the back for their own gain. (That's likely why your management simply yawned at your 98% strike vote!)
And about that gain. They gained employement at an airline run by the very Eastern management they sold out for. Eventually, one of the worst (an Eastern 'street captain', or replacement player) was elected as your union's president. In that position, he helped negotiate the first of several sub-standard contracts. That is until the announcement of SWA's intent to acquire AAI. What a proud history indeed.
Ok, every other point you are making might be accurate. I don't know for sure.
However, your insinuation that AAI pilots got the contract they finally got due to the SWA announcement, is misleading. Yes that is the time when it finally happened. It happened because management probably wanted it done and didn't need the bad press that was sure to follow. Too much new mula was at stake.
The part that you are not explaining is that the AAI pilots were led to believe by the NMB, in no uncertain terms, that they would not be released to strike once the announcement was made. The NMB was relieved when the announcement was made! They did not want to take the chance and risk adding to the country's unemployment numbers. Especially when the mid term elections were around the corner! Yes, if you didn't know, the authorization for an airline pilot group to strike goes all the way to the White House. And, as you can imagine, in Washington you/I are not that important. The flavor of the day is more important.
Were the AAI pilots ready to strike? Were they serious when they voted 98%? My gut feeling is that they were. They'd been in negotiations for nearly 5 years. The meat of the group was a lot younger and hungrier than the older ones you mention. Once the strike authorization would have been granted, just the FOs and younger CAs alone would have created an effective strike. And, I've not doubt that at least these guys/gals would have walked. For better or for worse, they would have done it.
So don't kid yourself. For
immediate gains for the Airtran pilot group, the SWA announcement was a hindrance more than a helping hand. If you have an understanding of the RLA and the NMB, you would understand that a union/pilot group is entirely at their mercy. And if you've been paying attention, these government controlled entities are stacked up against the employees.
This is why I don't understand why some on the SWA side act as if they don't trust their CEOs direction. So many years of excellent SWA management can't buy him a smoother transition?
Reason I say this is because if SWA management wanted to treat you guys just like the rest of the industry, they could have. The laws are such that they could have easily used them against you. Trust me when I tell you this; you have the contract and bennies you currently have because your management
wanted you to have them. That's not adversarial or demeaning of your efforts in any way. Simply that you need to understand what, and who you are dealing with. The RLA would back management all the way to the bank if they chose to be confrontational. However, SWA management chose the other road. The road to inclusion of their employees in the company's success.
Whether it was good for business, or, they thought you were the best looking pilot group in the world, it doesn't matter, they chose to go this direction. No identity really forced them. If push came to shove, the only effective way to force them is to strike. Good luck getting an authorization to do that! Not just now, but roughly for the last 15 years.
Now, don't mistake my words. I'm not suggesting that SWA pilots should have ever hinted at a strike. You have never had a reason for that to even cross your mind! On the contrary, I think you guys are blessed to have the management you have. Thus, the reason I get confused at the apparent lack of support that Mr. Kelly sometimes appears to have with this acquisition. Pardon the diatribe.........and my nosing around in your debate.
I suppose that is certainly a possibility, but what would that mean for the -800's that were going to be replacements for -300's and -500's? 
