SWA GK talks about the industry

[JoeMerchant]

I know. I was just amused at Bill getting wound up about "mainline" vs "major" like it really matters.

.....it was kinda funny wasn't it.........:beer:

 

[airline#5]

Matters to you, or you wouldn't have brought it up...RJ Boy.

 

[momalley81]

That comment also makes You Sir a Jack Ass.

Jeff Neely

I was just pointing out the flawed argument that Eagle757shark was making. AA Stapled Reno. Thats a fact. He was claiming that since SWA and AT are both viable carriers that no stapling would take place. (Which I completely agree with)

HOWEVER, if you are making that argument, dont use an acquisition that goes against the point you are trying to make.

So, that makes me a jackass?

 

[CaptSeth]

The circumstances of any transaction and subsequent integration are immaterial; what counts is honoring the precepts of trade unionism.

It would be particularly disruptive to contract negotiation efforts if you had a large block of highly disgruntled employees at the bottom of your seniority list.

Food for thought.

 

[ivauir]

It is amazing to watch guys fight over a seniority integration that will probably never happen, and if it did would be decided in court, sure a shell on on FI.

One thing is for sure, GK is not interested in paying retail for ANYTHING (to include my time), he wants a discount. We are not buying anything as healthy as Air Tran is today.

 

[ivauir]

It would be particularly disruptive to contract negotiation efforts if you had a large block of highly disgruntled employees at the bottom of your seniority list.

Given the events of last weak I think we are pretty mush there already.

 

[bravodude]

Ladies, don't get all wrapped tight, this deal with AirTran isn't happening. If SWA buys anyone it will be WestJet and I'm sure the SWA boys will show them lots of LUV.:uzi:

Dude give it a rest. so what if we didn't hire you, stop searching for any thread that mentions swa so you can make yourself feel important.

 

[bravodude]

You are mixing apples and oranges when you compare the possible merger between AirTran and Southwest and what happened with American and TWA. Folks lets get one thing straight, AirTran is a successful and profitable carrier! AirTran is not in ch.11 like TWA. When it came to it, TWA entered into a deal with American airlines for its survival. TWA was in Ch.11 so career expectations were bleak considering a carrier that was possibly going out of business. AirTran is not a failing carrier. If AirTran and Southwest put together some type of deal, perhaps it could be with third party financing or it could end up being a true merger. So before you guys get on your soap box about how nice AirTran guys are and rather AirTran guys are worthy to be in Southwest colors, step back and take a DEEP breathe. This is not TWA and American, period! Do some homework aviators, there are more airline mergers outside TWA and American where there was integration among two employee groups. To name a few (Western and Delta, US Air, Piedmont, and PSA, Pan Am and National, and Amercian and Reno)! AirTran is profitable and would be bringing 60 firm 737-700 aircraft to the table. So all you me, me, me, me, selfish guys, put your staple guns back in the closet, AirTran employees deserve and will stand equal to any Southwest employee if there is any merger transaction going forward!

Now thats funnnnnny!!!!!! Our FO'S make more than their Capt's but yes they will stand firm! How about the start by getting rid of their jumpseat surcharge then we can talk about standing firm.

 

[bravodude]

That comment also makes You Sir a Jack Ass.

Jeff Neely

And who do you think you are? The same jack @$$ thats who. The people that i spoke to all say the same thing first pass the interview then we merge based on career expectations. simple as that my friends.

 

[Eagle757shark]

I was just pointing out the flawed argument that Eagle757shark was making. AA Stapled Reno. Thats a fact. He was claiming that since SWA and AT are both viable carriers that no stapling would take place. (Which I completely agree with)

HOWEVER, if you are making that argument, dont use an acquisition that goes against the point you are trying to make.

So, that makes me a jackass?

By the way Reno sued for their integration and were not stapled to the bottom of Americans seniority list. It amazes me that when airline executives start talking about mergers, everyone starts talking who bought who and bringing out the staple guns. Then the whos better than who starts. My argument wasn't flawed, I just pointed out there were other mergers outside of American and TWA. Do I see a merger between Southwest and AirTran in the future? Probable not, I believe both of the low cost carriers will be better served if they looked at international opportunities and how to be a significant factor in the global economy.

 

[atafan]

Dude give it a rest. so what if we didn't hire you, stop searching for any thread that mentions swa so you can make yourself feel important.

Didn't apply nor ever wanted to work for SWA. SWA is a great company with great people, mostly, they did hire you. I'm just not into the type of flying SWA does and money has never been an issue. I've flown for a legacy, upstarts and the commuters in the early 80s and I found a home with ATA and will ride this to the end. I've prepared a life away from the airlines.

I've never been overly critical of SWA, pull the records. What have I said that isn't the truth. If SWA acquires another airline will you not attempt to staple them at the very least? Every pilot group will do what's best for their own group, just stating the obvious.

I don't have to post on this board to feel important.
Sorry to have hurt your feelings.

 

[Eagle757shark]

Now thats funnnnnny!!!!!! Our FO'S make more than their Capt's but yes they will stand firm! How about the start by getting rid of their jumpseat surcharge then we can talk about standing firm.

Do we have to go down this road again? This was a policy put in place by our former CEO. It was not something the pilots put in place. In the TA that was voted down, the surcharge was DELETED! Most stations don't charge it if you are an additional jumpseater. Get over it will you! There are other airlines out there that charge their own employees to nonrev. Again the world doesn't revolve around you the pilot.

 

[momalley81]

By the way Reno sued for their integration and were not stapled to the bottom of Americans seniority list. It amazes me that when airline executives start talking about mergers, everyone starts talking who bought who and bringing out the staple guns. Then the whos better than who starts. My argument wasn't flawed, I just pointed out there were other mergers outside of American and TWA. Do I see a merger between Southwest and AirTran in the future? Probable not, I believe both of the low cost carriers will be better served if they looked at international opportunities and how to be a significant factor in the global economy.

Reno was stapled dude. I know, I used to fly for AA.

 

[bravodude]

Do we have to go down this road again? This was a policy put in place by our former CEO. It was not something the pilots put in place. In the TA that was voted down, the surcharge was DELETED! Most stations don't charge it if you are an additional jumpseater. Get over it will you! There are other airlines out there that charge their own employees to nonrev. Again the world doesn't revolve around you the pilot.

Thats why everytime I jumpseat on you guys I have to pay $25 while when i show up for work there are 3 airtran guys that want to get on and guess what they pay NOTHING!

 

[Nindiri]

Maybe it's just you.

 

[Eagle757shark]

Thats why everytime I jumpseat on you guys I have to pay $25 while when i show up for work there are 3 airtran guys that want to get on and guess what they pay NOTHING!

Sir I'm going to call you out on that one. The policy is that if a offline jumpseater wants to jumpseat, the first offline jumpseater will not be charged. Any other offline jumpseater may be charged $25 dollars. Most agents don't charge offline jumpseaters. As far as there being AirTran jumpseaters, there could 50 Airtran pilots trying commute on your flight to wherever you are going. If there is one offline jumpseater, he will not be charged. That is the policy, please don't use this board to argue about a policy I nor any other AirTran pilot has control over. I know it is something that will be addressed during negotiations. AirTran also has a new CEO who may do away with the policy all together. You know AirTrans policy for jumpseating, so plan accordingly when you commute on AirTran. Flightinfo has been a place to debate this issue for several years. I don't want to hear it, I have no control over it and we all know it is a sore subject with some, including AirTran pilots. SO GIVE IT A REST! If it keeps happening to you, speak with the agents supervisor, or contact your jumpseat coordinator and have them contact AirTran's jumpseat coordinator and they can speak to the station where this continues to happen. Getting on this board and complaining about it, will do you no good. There is a process to follow when stations don't follow the rules, execute it and you may find your commuting life become a lot easier! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 

[PCL_128]

PCL,

So now you are a "mainline"??? Who's your Commuter??


I believe you are a major LCC last I checked

By "mainline," I mean "branded carrier." In other words, and airline that flies its own code rather than an airline like ASA that flies someone else's code. You should know a lot about that, seeing as how over half of your block hours are flown by people on someone else's seniority list.

 

[ATLplt]

Thats why everytime I jumpseat on you guys I have to pay $25 while when i show up for work there are 3 airtran guys that want to get on and guess what they pay NOTHING!

This is really easy. Don't jump on AirTran anymore. We carry a lot of SWA folks, and I've seen one guy get charged EVER. If your demeanor at the gate is anything like your posts the agent probably doesn't think twice about it. A smile, (and maybe some chocolate), goes a long way.

 

[RIDETHELIGHTING]

All I know is, that a lot jumpseaters I ride with, go out of there way to get on our flights. Because they are treated well.

 

[Daddy]

Or at least they used to