Like one or several of your LUV brothers have stated, you guys really need to understand what is acceptable to you. I don't think I'm wrong in saying that a staple in any sort of fashion will not fly. Not with Airtran, not with any group, I don't think. The Frontier guys turned down a staple. Even as their company was in dire financial stress. How in the world do you expect a group from an airline that was in solid financial footing to take anything resembling a staple? It is not reasonable, and quite frankly highly impossible. I don't care how much you brag about your pay, and this and that. Even the humiliation tactics won't work.
I fail to see where the combined Airtran group is crying arbitration or nothing. They have stated that if a fair deal is not reached, that they are ready to take their chances in arbitration. What choice do they have? To take what you are offering even if they consider it unacceptable? Again, unacceptable might be some sort of a staple, for the record. That is the process that you guys agreed to. It's just a logical step in the order of things. You may not like it, they may not like it, but that is the process. Besides, if you are so sure of the "ultimate" outcome, why do you appear so afraid of it?
You have stated that if you don't like the results, the whole thing could be nuked. Well, with that in mind, if I was a LUV guy, I'd be pushing for arbitration til kingdom come, and eventually get my dream scenario. After all, you guys don't appear to think that you need Airtran and the synergies that might be realized with a combined group, right? Don't worry, DAL agrees with you. Heck, Anderson will even cheer you on!
While Southwest has always managed to outperform and defy nay sayers, I think this time you could end up on the wrong side of History. In your nuke scenario, you would be putting gainfully employed families on the street. Those pilots, gate agents, res. agents, etc. etc., have families as well. Families that by all accounts were somewhat comfortable in their situations before your arrival. I'm not implying that LUV pilots had anything to do with the purchase of that carrier. Some of you, however, are very clear in your desires if you don't get your way. Wether it's serious or implied, possible or impossible, I don't think it's cool at all. I know, you could careless what I think, fine.
Ask anybody that was at TWA and see how they felt when the rug was pulled from under them. At least in the TWA case, 911 had a lot to do with it. Here it would be like junior not getting his way and telling daddy to kill it. Totally different circumstances. If that makes you sleep well at night, then by all means. Rest assured, however, that most in the pilot world no matter how intense the competition between our carriers, would never wish that upon you. Regardless of how much I may, or, may not disagree with you.
I fail to see where the combined Airtran group is crying arbitration or nothing. They have stated that if a fair deal is not reached, that they are ready to take their chances in arbitration. What choice do they have? To take what you are offering even if they consider it unacceptable? Again, unacceptable might be some sort of a staple, for the record. That is the process that you guys agreed to. It's just a logical step in the order of things. You may not like it, they may not like it, but that is the process. Besides, if you are so sure of the "ultimate" outcome, why do you appear so afraid of it?
You have stated that if you don't like the results, the whole thing could be nuked. Well, with that in mind, if I was a LUV guy, I'd be pushing for arbitration til kingdom come, and eventually get my dream scenario. After all, you guys don't appear to think that you need Airtran and the synergies that might be realized with a combined group, right? Don't worry, DAL agrees with you. Heck, Anderson will even cheer you on!
While Southwest has always managed to outperform and defy nay sayers, I think this time you could end up on the wrong side of History. In your nuke scenario, you would be putting gainfully employed families on the street. Those pilots, gate agents, res. agents, etc. etc., have families as well. Families that by all accounts were somewhat comfortable in their situations before your arrival. I'm not implying that LUV pilots had anything to do with the purchase of that carrier. Some of you, however, are very clear in your desires if you don't get your way. Wether it's serious or implied, possible or impossible, I don't think it's cool at all. I know, you could careless what I think, fine.
Ask anybody that was at TWA and see how they felt when the rug was pulled from under them. At least in the TWA case, 911 had a lot to do with it. Here it would be like junior not getting his way and telling daddy to kill it. Totally different circumstances. If that makes you sleep well at night, then by all means. Rest assured, however, that most in the pilot world no matter how intense the competition between our carriers, would never wish that upon you. Regardless of how much I may, or, may not disagree with you.
