First of all Congrats! Second of all, with all due respect, as an 11yr SWA Captain, not worrying about how this SLI turns out is a luxury that many don't have..... Just like the birth of your granddaughter has given you a different PERSPECTIVE on life, so too does your seniority give you a different PERSPECTIVE on the SLI outcome.
LUV
FOL,
Thanks for the congrats. My apologies if I gave the impression that any pilot at AAI or SWA should not be engaged or have an opinion on the topic or that as a CA I'm not engaged or interested. I most certainly do care and have expressed those thoughts to the appropriate persons. Doing it as emotionally and forcefully on public forums is opposite of what has been asked of both pilot groups. Resectful debate and inquiry, yes; laying down ultimatums or absolutes is not in either groups best interest IMHO
...no offense taken I hope.
When I arrived at SWA in '99, those before me built an incredible airline and in turn provided me with a very secure standard of living. Those earlier groups made many controversial decisions, Morris Air, "B" scale votes, optioins in lieu of pay in '94, etc. Many opposed these and many other decisions (and still do). Yet judged from a historical perspective, I believe SWA and SWAPA made the right call.
My hope and is that when I retire I can look back and say that I've done no less for those coming behind me. The SLI and the attitudes associated with the merger will be a significant part of that cumulative culture and can only be accurately judged post-merger. Drawing lines in the sand in a pre-SLI environment could be counterproductive to the post-SLI environment when our culture will be most tested in the eyes of some.
Persons at the top of the seniority list have no more or no less ability to alter the SLI than those at the bottom. It could be argued that the long term culture of SWA lies more in the hands of the lower half of the seniority than the top half in terms of how the culture evolves since they will be at SWA longer. That doesn't negate the influence of the left seat in setting a tone that is positive for all groups and sensitive to the different realities faced by those in the right seat. Merely because one hasn't lived the life doesn't mean one can not empathize or respect the impact those changes can and are having.
For the first time ever FO's make up the majority of the NC and M&A team. I believe that is great, their talent is obvious. Their future is in their hands and in how the SLI is communicated and responded to by the members.
I want my grandson to fly on SWA or even come to work at SWA in the future for the same reasons I came to SWA. I'm as concerned and interested as I was when I arrived and will remain so because I want the company and its employees to prosper.
It can if all employee groups remain focused on the mission of safety, customer service, productivity while SWA leadership deals with the internal issues and makes sound business decisions that benefits all employees.
My apologies for the drivel...retreating backwards toward more lurking vs. posting....hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and happy holiday. Keeping Christ in Christmas (hopefully) will do more than Democrats or Republicans ever will!
God Bless.
