Any "Latest & Greatest" about Delta?
02-14-2012, 08:10 AM
On Reserve
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Position: MSP7ERB
Posts: 1,886
Fair enough. I would still like to ask them if they made the right decision in a few years though. There could be furloughs at FedEx.. or SWA.. or wherever they went.. but I think DAL is going to take off like a rocket when that debt number gets below $10B.. we will see....
02-14-2012, 08:14 AM
No longer cares
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: 767er Captain
Posts: 12,109
T,
I am not quite sure about that. Of all the guys I know that left, only one even ponders if he should have stayed at DAL. The others don't even look back.
DAL is still one of the better airlines to work. We have a pretty good opportunity for some substantial gains and changing employers is like changing lanes in a traffic jam - what looked so promising can turn sour very fast.
All of that said, I think the important point is that people are in fact leaving DAL. This was totally unheard of prior to 911. This is no longer the DAL of old.
Scoop
PS - Totally agree with your "Anus" of the earth comment. With very few exceptions (Like you need 100K for Vito the loan-shark ASAP
) , life is too short to spend part of it in that region.
I am not quite sure about that. Of all the guys I know that left, only one even ponders if he should have stayed at DAL. The others don't even look back.
DAL is still one of the better airlines to work. We have a pretty good opportunity for some substantial gains and changing employers is like changing lanes in a traffic jam - what looked so promising can turn sour very fast.
All of that said, I think the important point is that people are in fact leaving DAL. This was totally unheard of prior to 911. This is no longer the DAL of old.
Scoop
PS - Totally agree with your "Anus" of the earth comment. With very few exceptions (Like you need 100K for Vito the loan-shark ASAP
) , life is too short to spend part of it in that region.
02-14-2012, 08:15 AM
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2007
Position: 737 F.O.
Posts: 180
The Volaris code share was set up long before the AT acquisition took place. SWA was unable to perform any near international flying at the time the code share deal was entered into. The Volaris deal allowed management to increase revenue with travel to destinations it was unable to perform at the time the deal was inked.
SWA also had a code share agreement with Westjet, again, that was for flying SWA was not authorized to perform itself. The Westjet code share was canceled.
Management is stating a single operating certificate should be attained in March. The first 800's also arrive in March. GK has stated a desire to serve Mexico and other South American destinations with this airframe. I expect that any Volaris code share will be reduced as soon as SWA has the ability to perform that flying in house, but of course only time will tell. SWA most definitely has plans to greatly increase their international presence well beyond what is currently served by AirTran. Here are some company comments to that effect.
"With the expansion of John Wayne International Airport in Orange County, we had the opportunity to apply for new international route authorities. Similarly, we saw the opportunity to add international service in San Antonio. Because route authorities are limited, these were opportunities that we had to seize if we wanted them. So, we applied, and received approval from the Department of Transportation (DOT).
Of course, the only way to secure these routes is to fly them. AirTran has the capabilities now for international operations, and already has a number of profitable near-international routes. These capabilities and routes were among the many reasons we decided to acquire AirTran. We believe there are more exciting opportunities in near-international flying, and we intend on taking advantage of them. I am hopeful that the recent Orange County and San Antonio announcements are just the first of several new international routes to be announced. For now, new international routes will be flown by AirTran. However, all AirTran domestic and international flying will ultimately move to Southwest as aircraft are converted. It just takes time to both build international capabilities at Southwest, and convert the AirTran aircraft."
"I can assure you that our project teams are working tirelessly on these important strategic projects, and are actively working to bring international capabilities to Southwest in the timeframe needed for us to convert the aircraft and international flying."
"Today, we notified WestJet of our intent to terminate our agreement with them to offer connecting service between the United States and Canada."
"We’ve received U.S. DOT approval for our new service to Mexico! Starting June 3, 2012, our subsidiary AirTran Airways will start daily, nonstop service between Orange County, Calif., and both Cabo San Lucas/San Jose del Cabo and Benito Juarez International Airport in Mexico City. In addition, to enable us to keep the AirTran 737-700s used on the international service “route-able” through the AirTran network, on the same day AirTran will add one daily roundtrip between Orange County and both San Francisco and Las Vegas."
"As part of the announcement, we will also, beginning on May 24, have new AirTran daily nonstops between San Antonio and Mexico City, as well as four weekly roundtrips between San Antonio and Cancun. This new service to Mexico is in addition to our existing four daily AirTran flights between Atlanta and San Antonio, all of which operate from Southwest’s gates on Terminal B. I believe there are even more exciting opportunities in near-international flying, and we intend on taking advantage of them. I am hopeful that the recent announcements are just the first of several new international routes to be announced."
"This is all about offering routes that our Customers want to fly, looking to the future, and leveraging the international capabilities that AirTran provides us today."
02-14-2012, 08:15 AM
No longer cares
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: 767er Captain
Posts: 12,109
02-14-2012, 08:16 AM
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2008
Position: LAX ERA
Posts: 3,457
Fair enough. I would still like to ask them if they made the right decision in a few years though. There could be furloughs at FedEx.. or SWA.. or wherever they went.. but I think DAL is going to take off like a rocket when that debt number gets below $10B.. we will see....
As far as working over in the UAE, my best friend from college is working a security type job (he disappeared into the black world when we were still in the USAF and I haven't know what he does since) in Abu Dhabi. I went and hung out with him for a couple of weeks last year and it's a weird place. No, western women don't have to "suit up" (his words, the locals don't wear all that stuff at home). Dubai very neat and clean (ie very new) but you're still just the hired help and you're talents are welcome but you're not.......if that makes any since.
And, lastly, what has been said for tax stuff is way off. He makes BIG bucks and I can tell you his taxes are a mess. His US corporation takes care of all of it and they are at least 2 years behind.
Ferd
02-14-2012, 08:25 AM
No longer cares
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: 767er Captain
Posts: 12,109
02-14-2012, 08:41 AM
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2008
Position: LAX ERA
Posts: 3,457
Check THIS out! Pretty much sums how much time got cut in NY...
Oh wait, sitting on a jumpseat for a month........I guess that is like a rock
02-14-2012, 08:55 AM
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2007
Position: 737 F.O.
Posts: 180
Who needed who is completely irrelevant. The fact of the matter in this acquisition scenario the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. AirTran offered improvements to Southwest's capabilities and vice versa. The combined company is better positioned for growth than either of the stand alone corporations were separate.
Many on this thread have hypothesized stagnation and increasing outsourcing at SWA. Increased outsourcing will require huge scope give aways from SWAPA. Anything is possible, but I have a hard time seeing a scenario where SWAPA has a desire to go down a road that has proven to be incredibly devastating to multiple other pilot groups. Only time will tell.
Many on this thread have hypothesized stagnation and increasing outsourcing at SWA. Increased outsourcing will require huge scope give aways from SWAPA. Anything is possible, but I have a hard time seeing a scenario where SWAPA has a desire to go down a road that has proven to be incredibly devastating to multiple other pilot groups. Only time will tell.
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