SWA to speed up Airtran integration.....article

[redflyer65]

PCL,

The hiring differences between both airlines was pretty stark, so I'm not sure that's a road you really want to venture down.

I will say there are some awesome guys at Airtran and I'm glad they will be Southwest pilots. They endured more pain from that horrible management team than should have been allowed. And yes, I'm sure there are plenty of AAI guys that are disgruntled with SW management for how this played out. But when on the line at SW, it's a great experience. Nothing comes close in my opinion (even though you might not like the trips). The flexiblity, pay, and over QOL is incredible.

 

[carl p]

Nice post earlier DUDE, great summary.

Nice post also Red.

 

[madjack]

"I personally hope you guys hold the line. At this point, aside from the money SWA has in the bank and company stability, the pay is really the only thing to look forward to out of all this. I really hope we don't lose the flexibility of trip trading and that guys want to get rid of their "unproductive trips" to me and want my productive ones. You know, those terrible unproductive SJU, AUA, PUJ, MBJ, soon to be Rio, Cartagena, etc. "

Lear, virtually all labor groups at SWA are or about to be in negotiations at the same time...VDV has spelled out his goals...my personal interpretation as it apples to the pilot group is that those pilots who call in sick a lot and/or are used to flying at "premium" rates will be most impacted...the challenge in convincing the rank and file within SWAPA will be the perceived "loss of flexibility" and the notion the company has a revenue problem not a cost problem...

 

[scoreboardII]

Not only did SWA management craft the SLI, they decided to keep the two pilot groups seperate for at least three years after acheiving single operating certificate. Somewhat sadistic in my opinion.

You see, now thats a hummer, although way to heavy a version for my tastes...

 

[scoreboardII]

"I personally hope you guys hold the line. At this point, aside from the money SWA has in the bank and company stability, the pay is really the only thing to look forward to out of all this. I really hope we don't lose the flexibility of trip trading and that guys want to get rid of their "unproductive trips" to me and want my productive ones. You know, those terrible unproductive SJU, AUA, PUJ, MBJ, soon to be Rio, Cartagena, etc. "

Lear, virtually all labor groups at SWA are or about to be in negotiations at the same time...VDV has spelled out his goals...my personal interpretation as it apples to the pilot group is that those pilots who call in sick a lot and/or are used to flying at "premium" rates will be most impacted...the challenge in convincing the rank and file within SWAPA will be the perceived "loss of flexibility" and the notion the company has a revenue problem not a cost problem...

I disagree, this a shot across the bow of ground ops and FA's. They need the flexibility to hire part-timers to fill holes during peak times, something their contract now prevents. They need to correct the outrageous sick call abuse over holidays and bad weather events. (Going to snow in MDW? Call in sick for two days and miss it all). They need FA's who fly, and not give away their line and use the benefits and drive up training costs. They need the FA's to realize they need to fly their line, not dump it back into their trade system and bid it back at two or three times premium. Pilots have a sick rate below 7 percent, much lower than any other union on property and we have the 65 year olds. Pilots are not the issue here.

 

[redflyer65]

Scoreboard, you are exactly right. There are plenty of areas that need work. I don't see much fat to be trimmed on the pilot side. Other work groups have plenty of pork built in. We need to lean it out.

 

[PCL_128]

Scoreboard, you are exactly right. There are plenty of areas that need work. I don't see much fat to be trimmed on the pilot side.

You guys are in for a rude awakening. :laugh:

 

[SWA/FO]

PCL has all the answers with his vast experience.

 

[freightdogfred]

You guys are in for a rude awakening. :laugh:

Don't interrupt the unicorns at feeding time, there's a shortage of stardust predicted. I guess the world ends tonight anyways, why didn't I liquidate my 401K?

 

[humveedriver]

You see, now thats a hummer, although way to heavy a version for my tastes...

It was time for a new avatar. My property book says I'm spposed to have M998's which is the soft top, soft skinned version that would be alot more mission friendly for the domestic operation mision we will have this year. Instead I get these heavy, uparmored 1165s that are harder to see out of. I guess if we respond to total civil unrest we will be in good hands.

 

[redflyer65]

You guys are in for a rude awakening. :laugh:

And I think your a clueless about how our (your?) Section six will end up. But thanks for hoping for the worst. It ain't going to happen.

 

[SWA/FO]

PCL will be wrong again - then he will slam his employer and be mad.

Hey PCL is it true that you will retire #2 at Southwest (age 65) if you do come over here? (Unless, of course we buy somebody else and they actually get their way)

 

[Quimby]

You guys are in for a rude awakening. :laugh:

Sounds ominous!

 

[GoodTimes]

PCL's been wrong, wrong and wrong again these last few years on FI. Now predicting a dour section 6 outcome?

You stay classy, PCL.

 

[Mach 80]

disregard

 

[madjack]

"Some believe that SWAPA is only trying to delay the process as long as possible because they hope it will enable them to “capture” more captain seats. If this is true, it seems like short-term thinking. Whatever arguments each side has regarding contract interpretation or fairness will be decided by a neutral third-party; but, it is undeniable that walking away from a process specifically designed and agreed by all to resolve disputes will have its own ramifications. For the life of me, I can't understand the point of creating distrust and animosity among a large part of SWAPA's future members—especially in the middle of important Section 6 negotiations. That being said, the question is not if, but when, this complaint will be heard, and the MEC will use all available resources to enforce the provisions of the transition agreement."

What do you guys want?? $$, 737 CP seats in return for 717 CP seats going away?

 

[Secret Squirrel]

One million dollars! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

 

[roughneck]

"Some believe that SWAPA is only trying to delay the process as long as possible because they hope it will enable them to “capture” more captain seats."

Swapa pilots will get all the seats they negotiated for regardless of the timing on the DRC claim. They get all 737 upgrades prior to 2015. That includes upgrades for 717's being replaced by 737's. It really isn't difficult to understand.

 

[BlueBlood]

It really isn't difficult to understand.

But it is difficult to accept, apparently.

 

[Lear70]

We're simply tired of beating this dead horse. Not that we agree with you, we're just over the debate on here (at least I am)...

The simple fact is, if the shoe were on the other foot, your pilots would be just as angry and pushing your union just as hard to get back something you had voted on and planned for.

That's really all there is to say. You believe one way. We believe another. And a neutral needs to decide it. Continuing to debate it just drives a wedge further between the pilot groups and I'm done debating. You may post further on the subject, but don't assume our silence gives consent to your thoughts and ideas, it just means we're trying to get along which means avoiding confrontation when it's pointless.

Happy New Year! :beer: