WN pilot terminated?

[Mercyful Fate]

I am shocked that the 88 Boeing 717's delta is getting have not been brought up yet.

Was thinking the same thing????

 

[ROSWELL41]

So this doesn't add up. I imagine there is more to the story?

 

[PCL_128]

I just can't imagine why it would even cross their minds to terminate him in the first place...

Because in VdV's mind, anything less than absolute adoration and devotion to SWA is unacceptable. Even the mere thought that things might be slightly better somewhere else is treason and unimaginable to him.

 

[ROSWELL41]

Because in VdV's mind, anything less than absolute adoration and devotion to SWA is unacceptable. Even the mere thought that things might be slightly better somewhere else is treason and unimaginable to him.

If this is true, then WN has much larger 'culture' problem than I ever imagined. How will those hired there in the last ten years handle it when they are no longer the top paid pilots in the industry? I suspect for many, the 'culture' might be only as lasting as having the largest paycheck and the 5ish year upgrade.

 

[waveflyer]

Hey pcl,
Since some things are always better at some places-
Can you tell us what SWA does better than air tran?

(Btw, very few of us argued FOR flight ops at SWA and are happy to see good practices from air tran come into the mix- do you not see that?- it's just the really important stuff like work environment and how much your chief will back you when your kid gets sick is more important than dealing with something weird like a company procedures approach or a countdown from 500')

 

[scoreboardII]

Because in VdV's mind, anything less than absolute adoration and devotion to SWA is unacceptable. Even the mere thought that things might be slightly better somewhere else is treason and unimaginable to him.

No, it was done for purely monetary reasons. "He's leaving, he doesn't need our pay or benefits, he's terminated now, do it".

Then, the reality that what they did violates about three items in the CBA kicked in. They have apologized.

And this is the heart of the issue, everything is being done based on monetary issues, without a shred of review what it does to people. That is where the real problem begins, stepping over dollars to save pennies.

 

[scoreboardII]

If this is true, then WN has much larger 'culture' problem than I ever imagined. How will those hired there in the last ten years handle it when they are no longer the top paid pilots in the industry? I suspect for many, the 'culture' might be only as lasting as having the largest paycheck and the 5ish year upgrade.

They'll handle it just like the previous 40 years they were not the top paid, all the way to the bank.

The culture has nothing to do with the money, that's an often misrepresented idea. The idea is, we, in the jet, are the culture. How we treat each other, how the company treats us, etc. Now, I admit, the company treatment of it's employees has been on a decline, but the culture between employees is for all intensive purposes fine, with the exception of outliers.

 

[waveflyer]

If this is true,....

It's FI, from the biggest anti SWA agenda on the internet-
c'mon now, you know less than anything about SWA if you get it from FI

We haven't had 5 year upgrades since age 65 and we do have a culture problem- but if we have a culture problem, we have 1/3 of the culture problem every other airline has- it's a problem and SWA can do better- but perspective is on us as a pilot group too- how many pissed off pilots have we all known who had great contracts

There's a big difference being the lowest paid if everyone leapfrog's us vs us taking a paycut-

 

[ROSWELL41]

They'll handle it just like the previous 40 years they were not the top paid, all the way to the bank.

The culture has nothing to do with the money, that's an often misrepresented idea. The idea is, we, in the jet, are the culture. How we treat each other, how the company treats us, etc. Now, I admit, the company treatment of it's employees has been on a decline, but the culture between employees is for all intensive purposes fine, with the exception of outliers.

I hope the culture is that strong. My point is mostly in reference to those who came to WN because they have been at the top of the pile (since 2001 or so), who perhaps would have gone to UAL or DAL had they not had their CBAs destroyed by bankruptcy. I think it speaks volumes about the culture of the workforce if they can provide the same positive environment even being mid-pack in terms of compensation and advancement. It's definitely a transitional period for WN in more ways than one.

 

[ROSWELL41]

It's FI, from the biggest anti SWA agenda on the internet-
c'mon now, you know less than anything about SWA if you get it from FI

We haven't had 5 year upgrades since age 65 and we do have a culture problem- but if we have a culture problem, we have 1/3 of the culture problem every other airline has- it's a problem and SWA can do better- but perspective is on us as a pilot group too- how many pissed off pilots have we all known who had great contracts

There's a big difference being the lowest paid if everyone leapfrog's us vs us taking a paycut-

All good points. WN is about the only airline you can even discuss 'culture' with a straight face.