You stay classy Linden Hillman

[C-21Pilot]

Call Hillman and ask him if it is true. Case Closed.

 

[Hose A. Jiminez]

The person who registered the screen name may not, but "Baghdad Bob" obviously does . . . and she's obviously a pretty junior FO. :laugh:

where is it obvious?

 

[GuppyWN]

Call Hillman and ask him if it is true. Case Closed.

PM me his phone number.

Gup

 

[Bob Dylan]

The person who registered the screen name may not, but "Baghdad Bob" obviously does . . . and she's obviously a pretty junior FO. :laugh:

Too bad you'll never even be on the SWA list. That's what I'm hearing, and no I don't work there but it's as plain as day when on the outside looking in.

So just to clarify, you'll probably never be SWA from the looks of it. Nice going.

 

[Lonestar]

Here's the latest from our end:

Executive Blog - May 18, 2011
From your president, Steve Chase
Today our Negotiating Committee and the AirTran Merger Committee met for the third time to discuss the seniority list integration (SLI). As mentioned in last week’s Executive Blog, the two teams met last Thursday and discussed the process going forward, then ultimately exchanged their respective openers. At the meeting last week was our NC and their MC, Southwest Leadership, AirTran VP of Operations, Klaus Goersch and AirTran MEC Chairman, Linden Hillman.
Considering the negotiating environment and both teams’ commitment to confidentiality at this time during the process, there is little that can be shared regarding positions or proposals. One notable from the meetings thusfar is the fact that Southwest Leadership and more importantly, Mike Van de Ven, has expressed the importance that the Southwest Culture is preserved as a result of the acquisition. Southwest Airlines and SWAPA have asserted the value of our culture and that a protracted process is cumbersome as well as taxing on everyone involved. The ultimate goal is to negotiate a fair and equitable deal that enhances everyone’s career potential and that no SWAPA pilots, collectively or individually, are harmed.
SWAPA believes in the process agreed-to by both parties and is confident that a deal outside of the arbitration process can be reached. Your Association is prepared and has every resource to see this through its entirety; however, it is the shared view of Southwest Airlines and SWAPA that every attempt should be made to realize a negotiated list that serves the interests of both groups, and eventually one group.
To date, the mood surrounding the meetings can be characterized as hospitable, yet candid and open. SWAPA recognizes the anticipation such events bring and is thankful for the support of its pilots and that of the Company.
In Dallas today, Southwest Airlines held their annual shareholders meeting. Afterward, Gary Kelly made the announcement that Southwest is terminating the codeshare agreement with Skywest Airlines. In addition to this announcement, Gary also stated that Southwest is performing well considering the fuel environment and that the last ten years was a “lost decade.” Fuel costs have “increased five-fold” in recent years which have added to industry volatility. Amid the economic crisis that plagued much of the last many years, Southwest managed to increase its cities served and not furlough or request a single giveback from Southwest employees – all without bag and change fees. AirTran was noted to be the top priority for the Company going forward and Gary added; “Until SOC, operations must remain separate.” Later, Gary added; “We see enormous opportunities to stem their operating loss and to boost AirTran’s performance. This will create better job security and pay for AirTran employees.”
Those are the highlights and as things develop, we’ll keep you informed of the process and alert you if things change.
On a final note, after last week's blog mentioning our request for donations for "Herb's van" we received roughly 50 new contributions averaging $40 per donation. Thank you if you've already donated and please encourage others to do so to meet our goal so that we can purchase this van in Herb's honor for the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas.
Steve

 

[Lear70]

Lear,

I don't follow you, if SWA uses less pilots/plane than AAI, after SOC, we will be understaffed? SWA ops, as you know is point-to-point, I believe that is why we need fewer pilots/plane than hub/spoke operations...do you not envision former AAI aircraft being used in a more point-to-point type fashion, therey by requiring FEWER pilots? Do not envision layoffs, but we could see some stagnation as the AAI ops are transitioned to SWA ops...again sorry for the thread creep...stay classy ALPA...seems like negotiating posturing to me...

Again, it's a simple matter of block hours per aircraft. Here it is on a REALLY basic level with rounded numbers (numbers geeks, I apologize, just using round numbers for math comparison purposes).

IF we had 200 aircraft that flew 6.5 hours per day per aircraft, that's 1,300 hours per day, 39,000 hours per month (30 day month average). If you then have pilots flying 80 hours per month block on average, that's 487 crews if they flew EVERY DAY. Assuming each crew has 15 days off, double that number, 974 crews, 1,948 total pilots.

Now if you modify away from hub-and-spoke and increase the aircraft's DAILY utilization, that's great, but you still can't get around the fact that in order to give the pilots 15-18 days off, they're going to be capped somewhere between 80 and 85 hours for the month.

Therefore, do the math at just ONE hour more of daily utilization per airframe: 7.5 hours per day per aircraft * 200 aircraft = 1,500 hours per day, 45,000 hours per month. With pilots flying 80 block hours per month, that's 563 crews, doubled for 15 days off = 1,126 crews, 2,252 pilots. A total increase of 302 pilots, just by increasing the daily utilization of the airframes by 1 hour.

This is how Crew Planning formulates pilot needs. They recognize that a pilot can't simply be flown more if the plane flies more. When you have crews that are already flying 80-85 hours a month, you can't just make them fly more.

As far as the comparison of crew per aircraft, we carry a pretty high number of management pilots who don't fly the line but are on the seniority list, pilots out on union leave on any given day, people out on medical, mil leave, etc. I think our ratio on those may be a bit higher than yours, but not by a large amount.

I had a trip with our previous Scheduling Committee chair a few months ago who had talked with your Scheduling people at SWAPA and basically they said the same thing. When GK says this combination, after integration, will need 1,000 pilots, I believe him.

 

[Lear70]

I got the letter from snopes. It is already vetted.

To whom it may concern:

It has come to my attention that we will be merging our seniority lists. Seniority is very important to ALPA pilots. We have a long proud history of giving away scope which leads to the future unemployment of our junior members. Talk to our friends at Delta, that was a doozy.

I would also like to point out ALPAs need for a long drawn out negotiation. Over here at the office we really can't stand the idea of grinding out multiple four day trips. ALPA national also calls on a daily bases making sure they get at least another year or two of dues. In this regard everything from the process agreement to the arbitrator will require "extra" legal review. Talk to our friends at ASA. A five year time frame is what we use for a greivance.

I must now write an inflammatory paragraph with the full intent of pissing you off and stalling talks. First van de ven. The Dutch are known for smoking pot and folding in the world cup. We plan on you doing both in our negotiation. SWAPA prepare to meet the full power of ALPA! You have seen what we have done for Eastern, United, USAir, Delta, and the regionals. Prepare for scorched earth! Gerry we hope to prove that 1.4 billion is way too much.

Remember when you see a bag tag that says "My MEC speaks for me!" or "We are ALPA". They are me. I am ALPA.

Sincerely,
Linden

Well-played indeed, sir... lol

 

[Cruncher]

Lear,

...If the story has made its way all the way to recurrent, then it's something that had to have happened several weeks to a month or more back. Stories like that take a while to filter into recurrent classes.

Ahhhh, not in this girl's scout troop. Rumors move faster than the speed of light at this place.

 

[Hose A. Jiminez]

Start a rumor on the East coast and it'll beat you to the West coast. They fly faster than the jets.

 

[madjack]

Lear,

I follow you, but your math does not account for the SIGNIFICANT number of the pilot group that works extra (above their line average)...perhaps that is why SWA is staffed on the lean side ...the AAI pilots will probably ant to do the same...I do not see our ratio of pilots/aircraft going up (11/aircraft)...if AAI brings more than that to the table...we will have less extra flying or an excess of pilots...

 

[Crash Pad]

Here's the latest from our end:

Executive Blog - May 18, 2011

In Dallas today, Southwest Airlines held their annual shareholders meeting. Afterward, Gary Kelly made the announcement that Southwest is terminating the codeshare agreement with Skywest Airlines.

WHAT!!! We fought very hard to get Skywest on the property. We gave up a twelve year pay scale and a lot of other sweeteners!

Thats it! You messed with the wrong Union!!! Gary, if that is your real name, I assume you are replacing this regional feed with union feed. May we suggest ASA or another proud ALPA carrier.

We at ALPA expect a retraction or a change in feed within the week or lawsuits will fly!

 

[Crash Pad]

Let me also get in on the staffing discussion. They covered this in indoc. after we got our company ID's. Several memory items I have on my old flash cards.

1. Pilots always know exactly how airlines work the staffing
2. In the history of airlines, pilots have never thought the airline is staffed properly. (when I'm extended the idiots in Orlando screwed up. When I can't find a 26 hour, commutable, three day in open time that will fit perfectly between my check ride and vacation... the idiots in Orlando have overstaffed)
3. The only time my airline is perfectly staffed is when I'm in a discussion with another guy about his airlines staffing and I want to look like I have a better job.

Using these three simple memory items I have a simple formula. An airline should have somewhere between 1 and 200 crews per airplane.

 

[Ty Webb]

WHAT!!! We fought very hard to get Skywest on the property. We gave up a twelve year pay scale and a lot of other sweeteners!

Thats it! You messed with the wrong Union!!! Gary, if that is your real name, I assume you are replacing this regional feed with union feed. May we suggest ASA or another proud ALPA carrier.

We at ALPA expect a retraction or a change in feed within the week or lawsuits will fly!

Where did you find "the letter"? :laugh:

 

[Ty Webb]

2. In the history of airlines, pilots have never thought the airline is staffed properly. (when I'm extended the idiots in Orlando screwed up. When I can't find a 26 hour, commutable, three day in open time that will fit perfectly between my check ride and vacation... the idiots in Orlando have overstaffed)

3. The only time my airline is perfectly staffed is when I'm in a discussion with another guy about his airlines staffing and I want to look like I have a better job.

Waaaaay too funny. You're on a ROLL! :laugh:

 

[SWA/FO]

Hey Ty did you buy and LNKD stock today?