Will SWA and AT truly merge?

[johnsonrod]

Uh, no it won't, except to maybe add a 717 payscale.

If that is the only thing that changes, then that will also benefit all of the AT pilots. I am sure the 717 rates will be very close to the 737 rates (as big as the 735 in size), and all of those 717 pilots will hit the lottery too. Good for them! No B-scale will be allowed, to preserve that "culture" of yours.

 

[scoreboardII]

I think the 717 rate will be the 737 rate.

Still waiting on Ty to post the draconian changes he see's as required by the almighty ALPA on the SWAPA CBA.

 

[redflyer65]

Scoreboard is right. SWAPA still has leverage on what the 717 rate will be.

It's a pretty broad range how that could turn out. I too think the Airtran pilots would do better in the long run with an agreement outside of arbitration, or at least get as close as possible.

When an arbitor looks at a Airtran windfall in pay and QOL and SW pilots getting nothing, he's gonna even that out. No doubt. It would be a pretty serious roll of the dice in my option.

 

[johnsonrod]

Scoreboard is right. SWAPA still has leverage on what the 717 rate will be.

It's a pretty broad range how that could turn out. I too think the Airtran pilots would do better in the long run with an agreement outside of arbitration, or at least get as close as possible.

When an arbitor looks at a Airtran windfall in pay and QOL and SW pilots getting nothing, he's gonna even that out. No doubt. It would be a pretty serious roll of the dice in my option.

You don't do the payrate in arbitration. You do the SLI in arbitration, AFTER you get a joint contract. And I recall someone stating the arbitrators for the Delta and Northwest merger didn't take the pay rates into consideration, and the NWA guys got a 30% pay raise too. But, of course you don't want to go to arbitration because it will be an unknown for you guys too. There is just no way the AT guys will agree to go without arbitration, because regardless it will be a win win for them, higher pay and then better than a staple SLI. And since they can't get a staple anyway due to that Bond/McKaskil law, I think they will do pretty darn well. I think you know that too.

 

[slaquer5]

Scoreboard is right. SWAPA still has leverage on what the 717 rate will be.

It's a pretty broad range how that could turn out. I too think the Airtran pilots would do better in the long run with an agreement outside of arbitration, or at least get as close as possible.

When an arbitor looks at a Airtran windfall in pay and QOL and SW pilots getting nothing, he's gonna even that out. No doubt. It would be a pretty serious roll of the dice in my option.

That goes for the SWA pilots also. There is nothing more the rest of this industry would like to see than, SWA/AT fighting like USair. The A/T pilots are going to have a hard enough time in ATL with all the HATE the DAL pilots will start to give them. I have never seen such hate for a company, until I started to work at this place.

 

[Cometman]

What? And SWAPA determining the SLI is better? RIIIIIIGHT! What would the Frontier guys say about that? Arbitration will be GREAT for AT, and not good for the SWA pilots. It can only help the AT pilots' position, and since both are profitable LCCs, I predict AT will do just fine, along with a 40% payraise just to get up to SWA rates (FO). AT brings a lot to the merger too, and that will be seen by the arbitrator I am sure. (and I think you know that too Mr. Chicken Dinner)

Nice try. You need to remember you are just a large regional airline. Nothing more and nothing less. Take what you can get and be happy.

 

[redflyer65]

So Johnson Rod, tell me exactly what Southwest pilots get with some kind
realitive seniority scenerio. (and don't start talking about gates at ATL, that's a company gain)

So this is what it looks like..

AAI - between 50-80% increase in pay, and big increases in QOL.
SW - nothing.

That's a pretty big difference to put in front of an arbiter.

I'm sorry I did mix the two events, the SLI and the new opener for the 717 rate. The rate will be hashed out been SWAPA and Southwest. It's a new type for SWAPA. Will the Airtran pilots have some input on that? Absolutely, but it won't be negotiated by ALPA.

Realistically speaking, I know there won't be a staple, but I bet there won't be realitive seniority either. It will most likely be something blended in the middle. I think that's the way it will turn out with or without arbitration, only time will tell.

 

[redflyer65]

The A/T pilots are going to have a hard enough time in ATL with all the HATE the DAL pilots will start to give them. I have never seen such hate for a company, until I started to work at this place.

I can understand that! I can't believe you guys have had to deal with both DL and the unbelievably hostile management.

 

[dicko]

Scoreboard is right. SWAPA still has leverage on what the 717 rate will be.

It's a pretty broad range how that could turn out. I too think the Airtran pilots would do better in the long run with an agreement outside of arbitration, or at least get as close as possible.

When an arbitor looks at a Airtran windfall in pay and QOL and SW pilots getting nothing, he's gonna even that out. No doubt. It would be a pretty serious roll of the dice in my option.

Hey Red,

Have you read any of the recent SLI's that have been arbitrated ? Pay differentials are considered either very minor items or not considered at all.

"Windfall" by definition relates to seniority and seat etc. I know what you consider the term to mean however the arbitrators think differently. Our opinion doesn't count.

All of the above has been stated ad nauseam.

Regarding the 717; Let me make sure I understand your plan. SWAPA is going to convince ATN ALPA to give you the SLI you want by threatening to make a lower payrate for the 717 ? An airplane that will hold the same number of seats as your 737-500. An airplane that will instantly grow SWA fleet by 85 hulls. If a SWA guy wants to upgrade on the 717 will they now move onto the lower scale ?

If blackmail is the game, then you need to think it through ....

 

[johnsonrod]

So Johnson Rod, tell me exactly what Southwest pilots get with some kind
realitive seniority scenerio. (and don't start talking about gates at ATL, that's a company gain)

So this is what it looks like..

AAI - between 50-80% increase in pay, and big increases in QOL.
SW - nothing.

That's a pretty big difference to put in front of an arbiter.

I'm sorry I did mix the two events, the SLI and the new opener for the 717 rate. The rate will be hashed out been SWAPA and Southwest. It's a new type for SWAPA. Will the Airtran pilots have some input on that? Absolutely, but it won't be negotiated by ALPA.

Realistically speaking, I know there won't be a staple, but I bet there won't be realitive seniority either. It will most likely be something blended in the middle. I think that's the way it will turn out with or without arbitration, only time will tell.

Look, I am not trying to get hostile here. I am just pointing out what has happened recently. As far as what you guys will get at Southwest, I bet it will be a raise, but not as big as the AT guys get. Same thing happened with the Delta and Northwest merger. A friend of mine over at Delta said he got a 5% raise with the joint contract initially, and then a 4% raise each year after that. The Northwest guys got a 30% raise right off the bat, and then 4% each year after that, after being joined with the joint contract. The Northwest guys did great paywise, and the SLI was pretty close to relative as I remember. But, those Delta pilots did not want a B-scale, and neither should you. What will you get out of the merger? How about a stronger company?

And you are right, ALPA won't be involved with the 717 payrate negotiations, SWAPA will. Hopefully they will put it very close to the 737, because you might be flying it left seat someday and you want high pay on that too, right? And you may be right about the SLI, but I don't think SWA will run away with it. I bet there will be some ratio involved. Good luck to you!