MinRest

I disagree fully.

AS pilots were all shouting windfall at VX pilots and were super mad about SLI and yet we integrated pretty well. This merger isn't being made as a result of a bankruptcy or hostile takeover. HA is looking forward to to this and AS really has no reason to be so terrified of SLI. Will there be changes? Yes. Could those changes be detrimental to relative seniority? Yes. The same issues occurred with VX and there were no drastic changes. It is 2+ years away at least and we have no control over it. Why hate somebody who didn't do anything to you?

JLAMS16

If this deal goes through I will definitely be updating my apps… and in speaking to my seniority peers, they are as well. The exodus of low seniority pilots is going to increase dramatically. Better to start over with the prospect of progression at one of the big three then years of stagnation and the possibility of displacement bids after 90% of an acquired airline’s pilots move ahead of you in seniority.

AKCattleCarrier

Agree completely. The stagnation will be significant. The buh buh buh 787s crowd will say it is because of the economy or Boeing and the anti-merger folks will say it is because of the merger. Both will be correct to varrying degrees. Irrelevant to a jr pilot looking to move to the left seat at a descent clip. Retirement numbers alone don't lie. Better opportunities abound elsewhere for the the foreseeable future.

AKCattleCarrier

I'm happy your experience in the AS/VA SLI was not too negative and basically nothing changed for you. Your experience is not universal. AS CA's (800-1000) with VA pilots next to them with significantly less TOS disagree with you. VA pilots that lost their base, equipment, QOL, black pants, disagree with you.

This merger is significantly more complex. The shear number of variables implies far greater chances of negative consequences for the AS Pilot group.

AS Pilots have good reason to be terrified of the SLI and should be emailing their reps as soon as this thing is approved. I'm frankly a bit shocked that the Union narrative has been so copacetic with this merger. Maybe that will change as the process moves along. Frankly, if AS ALPA doesn't aggressively protect us in retoric and action in this SLI my lanyard comes off. My union volunteerism ends.

This absolutely is a purchase as a function of bankruptcy. Last 2 quarters have proved that HA is dead in the water without it. The 321 mess is behind them and they are still hemoraginig money. I guess it doesn't matter how full your 717s are or if the local surf shop is chock full of Japanese tourists. Also shows $1.9B is way to expensive. If you don't think the fact that a thriving company is purchasing a failing company plays into the psychology of the SLI and the perception of the raw deal being handed down to the AS pilots than you must not know very many humans.

PineappleXpres

SLI comes after the JCBA. We need to be united for that portion at the very least before you shout into your reps ears about any SLI night terrors you may have. All assuming we get approved to merge.,.

AKCattleCarrier

I'm aware, we just went through one of these a few years ago.....

PurringRaccoon

Luckily we are both ALPA and ALPA merger guidelines are set in place for this exact reason. It will apply fairly for both pilot groups.

AKCattleCarrier

please do us all a solid and define "fair"

MinRest

Who is feeding you the nonsense that 90% of their pilots will be put ahead of AS, an airline that has been around 90 years and is in a strong financial position? Lol guys, widebodies isn't everything. Can't have career progression without an airline, and HA is on the ropes. VX was at least in the black when it was bought. We have absolutely no idea what the economy is going to look like when SLI is finished and the assumption that the entire HA pilot group wants to take all the CA 737 slots in SEA is literal lunacy.

We literally have no idea how this will stack and the merger hasn't even been approved yet. I really don't understand what this fear-mongering does for anyone. If you want to leave, leave now! Why lose 2+ years of seniority at another airline if you think 900 pilots are going to get shoved in front of you and take the seat and base you want?

Some advice for everyone is to worry about the things you can change, and try not to lose sleep over the things you can't.

JLAMS16

Fear of the unknown is not unwarranted…
The stagnation is already here and will only get worse with an SLI. Reread my post, I will not wait 2 years, I will bail as soon as we hear if this acquisition will take place, not wait until SLI.

We will necromance your post from the dead when the dust settles and see how well it has aged. Honestly I hope you’re right, but we have all seen this before.

If you are on the bottom 20% at AS get used to the suck it’s gonna hurt.