SWAPA Comments about 717

[fam62c]

There is a letter from the VP of SWA FltOps to all SWA pilots that states that 16 717s will go in the 2nd half of 2013, 36 in 2014, and 36 in 2015.

What happens after 1/1/15 when the pliots on those remaining 717's can exercise their system seniority and leave the aircraft to fill vacancies created by retirements elsewhere in the SW system? Nobody in the 717 now will have an equipment lock by 1/1/15.

 

[Speedtape]

At least you don't have to deal with Regional Jets. :angryfire

From your profile:
A/C Flown: EMB-145, DC-9, A320


You are a tool!

 

[NuGuy]

Guys,

I wouldn't sweat it. Judging from the reactions at alpha papa charlie, DAL isnt going to pass the TA.

Problem solved.

Nu

 

[MILF Hunter]

At the very least we at Airtran need SWA pay now and possible revisit of the SLI. If not then things could get real ugly quick.

I really don't intend to sound like an a-hole here, but this just wouldn't be right.

Regardless of the events that led to the demise of the first SLI and the completion of the second SLI, Airtran pilots traded a loss of pay and protections for better seniority. SWA pilots were able to capitalize on the lack of protections, but at the expense of less seniority gain.

My point is that if money were more important than seniority, y'all could have had it. However, that would have meant more seniority for our side. Y'all paid for your seniority gain. To revisit and give youl more money now should be countered with us asking for more seniority in exchange.

I realize that it doesn't harm me if you make our pay today or in three years, but you paid for more seniority. Period.

Now...as far as revesiting the SLI, our airline is dumping 2/3 of your fleet. Are you sure you want to revisit that?

 

[humveedriver]

SWA knew they were going to dump the 717s while we were negotiating the SLI. From the time SWA announced the purchase in Sept 2010 to the summer of 2011 fuel prices went up 48 percent and they changed their tune about the airplane. SWA was able to renegotiate the leases with Boeing saving approxiemently 30 million dollars annually. I believe the outcome of the MEC vote on the AT side would have been much different if GK had just been upfront about the acceleration of 717 retirements. I remember reading reports of how GK was super mad after the MEC turned down the first offer. Now it's a little more obvious why, as that complicated his plan to get of the airplane. We had to have a nonsense flush bid ,retrain x number of crews while he found the buyer. Wasting time and money. Speaking of which. If the majority of AT 737 pilots haven't started to transition until 2014, how much sense will it make to take the most senior guys who will go last and then retrain them for Capt in 2015 when their global seniority can hold it? Oh, and about our strike vote. 98 percent yes. Do you think 98 percent of us are greedy little ALPA terrorists who just want to sit at home and get paid for it? Hardly my man. Just trying to get our company to be more like yours. Our management was not like your management. Look at Virgins pay. It takes time and commitment to get a decent contract. It took you guys close to 40 years. You guys always throw that in our face, but i say we were fighting the good fight.

 

[humveedriver]

Guys,

I wouldn't sweat it. Judging from the reactions at alpha papa charlie, DAL isnt going to pass the TA.

Problem solved.

Nu

Telling your buddies the TA is a POS and you are not voting for it is airline SOP. Then somehow 55 percent vote yes and no one admits to voting for it. If GK wants the plane gone it will happen. He can park them and still achieve his goals of single fleet type (mx costs, training and equipment/crew swaps).

 

[Just thinking]

"Regardless of the events that led to the demise of the first SLI and the completion of the second SLI, Airtran pilots traded a loss of pay and protections for better seniority. SWA pilots were able to capitalize on the lack of protections, but at the expense of less seniority gain."

Yeah that meteoric jump from 3.5 years loss to 3 years was what FAT pilots were shooting for. FAT pilots are used to being screwed over by their union, their management and now we are getting used to getting screwed over by the management lead by gk. Now everything is being structured to bum rush the captain vacancies to ensure the a minimal amount of FAT pilots cross the partition as Captains. Chase's letter is a tell all to the way that the FAT pilots are viewed by their RSW counterparts. Not feeling the LUV from any dealings with the company that embraces "the golden rule." Lip service at best.

 

[THEPRFCT10]

I don't see your point, should a pilot group not try to better themselves simply because another is worse off? Have you ever subscribed to your theory?

All I'm saying is that you can't have your cake and eat it too. I think that's how the saying goes. I, along with many other SWA JR guys got screwed by all this and as hard as it may be, we need to try and find the good out of all this. I for one am just hoping in the "near" future we all can look back and see the good (and benefits) from the crap that's going on. Sorry if I offended you, it was unintentional.

 

[ASADFW7]

There is no commentary that can capture the mix of perspectives that the B717 going away may bring to either side, as it hasn't happened yet. Every time something is going to happen a certain way, something else happens to change the outcome. All I am doing is trying to hang on. Perhaps something will change again to move the storm clouds away, at least there are a few retirements to distract from the impact along the way later this year.

 

[EntertheCentury]

I'm a mid seniority SWA FO. And I understand the Airtran anger.

But consider MY perspective: my company forced me into a seniority integration with 1700+ pilots (vice organic growth), then decided they didn't want 2/3 of their airplanes.

I'm pissed too. But not at you guys. Nor should you be pissed at me.

Smart guy he is!