SWAPA Comments about 717

[Max Powers]

Consider the fact that SWA never wanted the 717. And yes, although i can't prove that to be the case, it is obvious. SWA bought AirTran for 1/3 of their airplanes, Atlanta, a few slots in LGA and National, and a minuscule presence outside the border. SWA never had to integrate the seniority list. Every AirTran pilot could have been sent to the street.

SWA pilots have been hurt in this deal a large amount. Many will never see he left seat. Many will get displaced out of their base. All will suffer the animosity in the cockpit going forward. Many here will be paid less than the guy behind him due to AirTran keeping longevity as they come to the SWA payscale. On the plus side - some SWA FOs will get to the captain seat sooner - where they will sit reserve for ever as AirTran guys come in and fill new vacancies above them.

I could go on and on about how you guys are lucky to not be on the street. I could piss and moan about how unfair it is that original SWA guys paid for a type and spent YEARS more on average getting to SWA than you did getting to AirTran. I could write pages about all that because I am truly infuriated at the attitude coming from many of you guys.

In the end, as I meet former AirTran pilots coming over to the SWA side, I'm being cordial and welcoming. So far they have been similarly polite and friendly. I hope it stays that way because if you want to complain about how bad you have it, I promise you won't get any sympathy from the guy who will end up pulling gear for you for the remainder of his career. You might have gotten bumped to the right seat for a few years, but you will bid cush schedules and get all the cush vacations until you get back to the left seat (where you will be spared sitting in reserve hell due to the original SWA guy who will be forced to do that for you.)

Over 80% of our collective pilots voted for this SLI to go this way. Both groups feel like we were pressured into it (minus the senior SWA FOs benefitting from it). Most of us are feeling like we bought the junk behind door number three and the other guy got the brand new car. So as other have suggested, why don't we try to move ahead because anything else we do will be unproductive and will ultimately be bad for us all.

Let me guess this is your first airline? You're an army boy with your lips sucking off the government nipple of your pension? Well Mr. Baby boomer I guess the world revolves around you - I say rack up the debt and pay your over promised penison and social secuirty check at the cost of my generations future. See ya PAT

 

[OurMoney1]

I have to say after following SWAPA from this seat for several years now I am surprised by the recent events of the past week. Things seem to be pretty mixed up at the moment. Gary Kelly may be one of the smartest guys in airline management today but man things seem quite a mess over there right now.

 

[Britpilot]

By the way, I might as well GFM, everyone else is. Stay classy.

There is a reason for that.
Stay classy.

 

[needmo]

I have to say after following SWAPA from this seat for several years now I am surprised by the recent events of the past week. Things seem to be pretty mixed up at the moment. Gary Kelly may be one of the smartest guys in airline management today but man things seem quite a mess over there right now.

yeah.....meet the new boss...same as the old boss!!

 

[waveflyer]

Let me guess this is your first airline? You're an army boy with your lips sucking off the government nipple of your pension? Well Mr. Baby boomer I guess the world revolves around you - I say rack up the debt and pay your over promised penison and social secuirty check at the cost of my generations future. See ya PAT

Well, this is airline number 6 for me -You gonna slam me in that way? and the quote youre responding to, although exaggerated in areas is fairly well put- AT pilots would do well to get why SWA FOs are upset, just as it does no good for us not to get where you're coming from- the stagnation this purchase got Swa FOs cannot be understated. We sacrificed and chose Swa and do resent younger pilots placed above us. But the point is that in all airlines we're along for the ride in many ways- I'd rather be on this ride than many. We'd all do well to remember that.

 

[waveflyer]

Perception filters our reality I guess.

This is my point all along.

The heart attacks and divorces are not perception though.

 

[waveflyer]

yeah.....meet the new boss...same as the old boss!!

Bullsh/t
Well actually, our old boss was pretty damn great. GK gets a lot of crap only bc he isn't herb-
Here's what he's also not: trying to scheme ways to screw his pilots over. He's unique that way

 

[Uppercrust]

Consider the fact that SWA never wanted the 717. And yes, although i can't prove that to be the case, it is obvious. SWA bought AirTran for 1/3 of their airplanes, Atlanta, a few slots in LGA and National, and a minuscule presence outside the border. SWA never had to integrate the seniority list. Every AirTran pilot could have been sent to the street.

Wow thanks pal! So both my partner (also an Airtran 737 Capt) and I could have been thrown out into the street?? Thanks for saving us. Unreal. Unbelievable!

 

[redflyer65]

Uppercrust,

The reality is two fold..

1.- Gary never wanted to see the ultimate harm come to ANY AAI employee. He knew that if he gutted the company and employees he wouldn't be able to sleep at night. It's not in his DNA.

2.- You need to review what happens at most companies when they are bought by a larger company. I'll give you a hint, it's not pretty. Check the history over say 20 years.

I'm glad we have a CEO that subscribes to Number 1 instead of Number 2.

Yes, if there was a different CEO in place, most of AAI could have been on the street. I'm glad that's not the case.

 

[Ty Webb]

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