SWAPA calls all former AirTran pilots

[Sy-bill]

This has become so interesting. How this has evolved into so much bad information being thrown around by people who "say" they are in the know.

Airtran pilots arguing what their rights are vs Southwest pilots trying to hang on to what they have while wanting a reasonable gain because of the Airtran pilots natural gains from the Swapa contract.

As much inaccurate information that has been shared there are only the facts that an arbitrator will be interested.

1) This is an aquisition
2) The Airtran pilots will naturally experience a large gain in Pay, QOL and benefits.
3) The SWA pilots will experience a zero natural gain.
4) Potential growth means NOTHING to an arbitrator.
5) An arbitrator will NOT give a 6 year Airtran Captain a seat that a 9 year FO does not have.
6) There will NOT be a staple of the entire Airtran list on the bottom of the SWA list.
7) Career expectations and, fair and equitable will be the only areas considered by an arbitrator.

SWAPA is using who is considered by far the best law firm for these types of integration situations. Airtran has the third. Guess who has number two on retainer?
The difference between the best and second best is huge. The difference between the second and third even more.

I know that some do not like what I am saying but it is the truth. Airtran pilots are better off negotiating in good faith and coming to an agreement with SWAPA instead of going to arbitration. Swapa appears to have a very competent, experienced team taking care of their interests. With the attorneys they have any betting man puts their money that the SWA pilots will also be experiencing gains as they reasonably should.

Do not under estimate the power of family with SWA. If there seems to be a real concern for the health of their culture, no matter who has quoted what, SWA is well positioned with a number of legal options to ascertain their culture stays in place.

It is automatic that the Airtran pilots have career gains. Not at all for the SWA pilots. Fair and equitable is where if there is a gain or loss from one group, the other must experience the same.

As long as cooler heads prevail (obviously not here on FI) both sides should be moderately satisfied with the final result of the integration by SWAPA and ALPA. If this goes to arbitration, largely it will shift more favorably for the SWA pilots.

Best of luck to all of you.

 

[S3sundowner]

Sybill, one of the best posts on the subject. The trannies would be well advised to make a deal with swapa.

 

[shagadelic]

Some interesting comments by our negotiating chair if you haven't read them yet.

http://www.swapaluv.com/

 

[DougCorp-9]

Sounds like someone doesn't want to go to arbitration.

 

[dicko]

Some interesting comments by our negotiating chair if you haven't read them yet.

http://www.swapaluv.com/

It seems Baghdad Bob is alive and well. His new Gig is managing the SWAPA Propaganda Machine.

Here's a live link to the SWAPA interview:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s27Oq5ot0ZI

 

[Tweet-a-Lishus]

I work for SWA, and would rather settle this sooner rather than later, but definitely do not fear arbitration!

 

[redflyer65]

No fear of arbitration what so ever. The chips in front of the arbitor are stacked in Southwest favor.

 

[redflyer65]

It seems Baghdad Bob is alive and well. His new Gig is managing the SWAPA Propaganda Machine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s27Oq5ot0ZI

Hey Dicko,

The last two questions say it all.

 

[S3sundowner]

Dicko, it's not propaganda. My buddy at swa got the same interview sent via swapa email yesterday. GK isn't just buying you guys with his eyes closed hoping the swa employees "get over whatever happens in time". He will protect his company and hope that you guys appreciate this opportunity. Don't look the gifthorse in the mouth for too long. Believe me, swapa would welcome arbitration. Be careful what you wish for.

 

[PCL_128]

Lear,

How can they be autonomous with ALPA leadership at the meetings?

autonomy - immunity from arbitrary exercise of authority: political independence

If MEC members are in the room providing "thoughts and input" your MC is not autonomous.

There are a few misunderstandings here, I think. First, the MC is not really autonomous. The MC still reports to the MEC, and they still work for the MEC. The MEC just doesn't get involved in developing strategy or working on the details of SLI. The MEC still has the power of oversight. Nothing in policy says anything different. However, the ATN MEC has made the decision to not get involved in the details of SLI, including strategy, bargaining positions, or arbitration, should it come to that.

As far as MEC members being "at the meetings," there haven't even been any SLI meetings. All meetings so far have just dealt with the Process Agreement and transition discussions. That's not SLI. Once the SLI negotiations start, you won't see a member of the governing body anywhere. It will be all MC, all the time. That's their job, not the MEC's. But we aren't there yet.