Originally Posted by sailingfun

They did not learn from the past. In the last downturn there was one airline that was hedged on fuel. That airline was 20 percent of the domestic market. If you control 20 percent of the domestic market you control pricing. They simply refused all fare increases and the other airlines could not raise prices or increase yield. This was a deliberate attempt to put UAL out of business and hopefully one more legacy airline. This is almost a direct quote from SW management at a CP meeting. We are going to use our fuel hedges to put one or two major airlines out of business.
The plan failed and SW was now in a position it was not used to being in. Their cost structure was now high enough relative to the legacy airlines that they could not go into almost any market and push the old carriers out. As a result basically all growth stopped and they had to follow the legacy model of mergers for growth. One failed merger and one merger that is almost done.
What has allowed the increase in revenue with the uptick in fuel prices is that no major airlines are hedged. Everyone has to go along or not make money. If SW were hedged to the extent they were in the last downturn the industry would be a bloodbath now.

Originally Posted by Check Essential

Let me chime in with yet a 3rd interpretation of reserve responsibilities on a 24 in 7 rest period. Maybe someone can call the office and find out the right answer.

I think Uncle Sam is right on this part:
An assigned 24 hour rest period is different than a "last non-fly day".
There's no "1500" schedule check. During that 24 hours you don't have ANY obligation to answer the phone or check your schedule at all.

We differ on when you might be required to report following your rest:
If they haven't pre-assigned something and had you acknowledge it prior to that 24 hours then you just become a long call pilot at the end. Regular 12 hour leash.
It is legal for them to pre-assign a trip or short call to follow your 24 hours. ie= they call you and say you're on 24 hours rest starting 3:00 PM Tuesday and you have a trip that reports at 3:01 PM Wednesday.

Originally Posted by Ferd149

Friend sent this to me. Used to stay up late and watch it as a kid......

Just thought I'd remind everyone why we do what we do.....

Ferd

1960s TV Sign Off // Current

Originally Posted by Pineapple Guy

acl, this is not directed at you, but it constantly amazes me that pilots think ALPA is some Fairy Godmother that can prevent any ill from ever afflicting every member, regardless of the external circumstances.

I have news for you. Bankruptcy SUCKS! And when you look at all the hits we've taken the past 10 years, there's your cause. Pilots at LUV, FDX, and UPS have great pay rates and benefits because they've continued to be incredibly profitable the past XX years. It has nothing to do with the strength of their pilot group or the shrewdness of their union.

And to think otherwise is naive.

Originally Posted by acl65pilot

Correct, and many pilots are judging ALPA on the last decade. Not one legacy carrier has had a successful completion of a section 6 in many years.

It is also time to realize we work for a successful international airline, and with that fact, it is time to move beyond bankruptcy type of agreements.

Furthermore, if it is the desire of some to go in to a 3-5% per year bump, that may be a acceptable way to go, but the base needs to be reset about that of SWA before doing so.

Originally Posted by 80ktsClamp

For those of you wondering if it is possible to have underboob on a painted on swimsuit, here is your answer:



and one more for bonus:

Originally Posted by Carl Spackler

The ALPA-PAC is all about electing far-left politicians. That's not an appropriate function of an Airline Pilot's union.

Carl

Originally Posted by Carl Spackler

]
Read above. Because clearly, bankruptcy is not always the cause.

Carl