USA TODAY: Southwest Beating Republic to Frontier

[Speedtape]

For the sake of Frontier, I hope that SWA wins the bid.

Read my post, please. You may change your position.

 

[Speedtape]

Southwest is just trying to prevent a viable competitor from developing.

The Airtran guys most likely think this is cool. They would love to get bought by Southwest. Even the senior guys would love it.

I would respectfully disagree. History would not support a good outcome for Airtran pilots. I think an acquisition would follow the past practice. In addition, the Air Tran pilots are now ALPA, and Southwest would be forced to follow past practice to eliminate the threat of ALPA.

Although, Airtran operates 737's, they also operate a large number of 717's. Southwest would have no interest in keeping the 717, and it would be eliminated.

Sometimes, you have to be careful what you for what you wish!

 

[atr42flyer]

if SWA gets the bid its the end of frontier. i RAH wins, at least those pilots would have a chance at a fair integration. and we could all work together and collectively raise the bar.

 

[sshrae]

if SWA gets the bid its the end of frontier. i RAH wins, at least those pilots would have a chance at a fair integration. and we could all work together and collectively raise the bar.

I would have to disagree with you there. SWA's intentions are unclear at this point so I think it is a little early to say it would be bad for F9. If they do integrate, its my understanding that the law states there has to be relative seniority integration. After the American TWA debacle that law was passed. If SWA wins this auction its RAH and UA that will lose in this deal for sure. All BB will have is a regional and Midwest, his idea of a big LCC will be lost.

 

[Speedtape]

I would have to disagree with you there. SWA's intentions are unclear at this point so I think it is a little early to say it would be bad for F9. If they do integrate, its my understanding that the law states there has to be relative seniority integration. After the American TWA debacle that law was passed. If SWA wins this auction its RAH and UA that will lose in this deal for sure. All BB will have is a regional and Midwest, his idea of a big LCC will be lost.

Southwest will not be outbid, because they have the most to gain, and the most to lose. There will be no seniority integration. Frontier flies an incompatible aircraft to the Southwest fleet. The only things they bring to the table are gates and market share. There are no laws that apply to integration in this matter between 2 non union carriers. Frontier pilots will get a chance to interview, and if successful, will be newhires at the bottom. Not all Morse Air pilots were hired, and the ones that were went to the bottom as new hires--Morse Air flew 737's but they were 200's, which Southwest did not want because they were retiring the ones that they had.

 

[JumpersAway]

I would hope that the pilots would follow suit and end up at Southwest, but that didn't happen with Morris Air.

 

[Indy319FA]

All BB will have is a regional and Midwest, his idea of a big LCC will be lost.

Bedford also will have a bunch of cash when SWA repays the loans made to Frontier by Republic. Bedford has set this up as a win win situation for himself. He wins if Republic has the best bid, or he wins when the winner has to cut him a check which he can use to invest in Midwest.

 

[dcfu69]

First of all SWA did not buy MORSE AIR. Its MORRIS AIR ( Founded by June Morris and David Neelman in 92). Get your facts straight. And Morris Air had 737-300's. My father was a pilot with Morris Air during the SWA buyout. And I'm sure Citrus guys would love a buyout from SWA.....My old man is now a very senior Capt. with SWA.

 

[dcfu69]

EDIT- SPEEDTAPE.... your right. Actually, it would not be that good for Citrus.

 

[sshrae]

Southwest will not be outbid, because they have the most to gain, and the most to lose. There will be no seniority integration. Frontier flies an incompatible aircraft to the Southwest fleet. The only things they bring to the table are gates and market share. There are no laws that apply to integration in this matter between 2 non union carriers. Frontier pilots will get a chance to interview, and if successful, will be newhires at the bottom. Not all Morse Air pilots were hired, and the ones that were went to the bottom as new hires--Morse Air flew 737's but they were 200's, which Southwest did not want because they were retiring the ones that they had.

You seem pretty sure of yourself. Do you know something GK doesn't know? I don't know what you mean by 2 non-union carriers, they both have unions. The law was not an ALPA law if that is what you mean. It is possible if GK decides to keep them permanently separate that there will be no integration but as far as I know he has not said anything like that publicly, maybe he only told you. He has said that he will phase out the airbus, that is obvious but that does not mean he will phase out the crews.