Exactly, we'll take all the international feed you want to provide:D

I think there's an easy resolution for pilots on both sides who are really upset about this:

1. If you're at SWA and are now going to get screwed on upgrade time resign and go to the airline that will keep your best interest in mind and pay you the wage you deserve. Your company purchased the other airline, the other pilot group didn't, so find an airline who's CEO with not do this to you.

2. If you’re at AAI and get screwed over, again resign and go get a job where you will be valued, upgrade like you deserve and get paid what you deserve (One with a management team like AAI). Your company has sold you out, which is shocking to be quite honest based on their past. Maybe the management group can retain the AirTran Certificate and start a new airline and you can work for them again and upgrade quickly. Again, the other pilot group didn't force them to sale.

It seems as long as there are CEO's, not pilots, running airlines we don't have much choice and are at their mercy. If it sucks leave, but don't take it out on other pilots just trying to do their jobs.

Just remembered why I don't come here often.

Regardless the outcome of the dealings, I commute on AirTran, and they always treat me like one of their own. When the business is done, I welcome them all to the family, and hope that there are years of continued success.

Business is business, professionals move along. Trolls dwell. We all get what's coming to us eventually. No one is immune. I still have all my old colors and stripes, who knows how many more I will need to finish the career. This is another chapter.

I'd fall over dead if the feds made SWA do anything but buy the drinks at the approval party. Maybe supply the peanuts too. The only place they may be asked to divest is BWI but I believe that the gov still treats them as a start-up, sees them as a "value" alternative for customers that breeds competition amongst the other carriers. The only real question now is who's next. It better be announced prior to the DOT's approval on this one so it is a known quantity. With all the mergers lately, sooner or later the feds will say no.

Oh those ancient skies, you've got those wandering eyes!!! Very well played my man..Love it!!

If I were USAir I'd offer a higher competing bid and turn this thing into a hostile takeover. At least make SWA bid up the price higher ala AMR-PanAm-Delta. Even if they have no intentions of really wanting it. USair is the one stuck in the middle of the NE now getting squeezed more and more. It's a fight for survival for them.As always in this biz these are interesting times.

Wow, hadn't thought of that one. What if USAir won?

If we announce we're merging with AMR, they may veto that.

Not there is ever any ethical justification to staple, but an acquiring airline's superior financial health should NEVER be a justification to staple. It is not like the financially superior airline's employees are any better than the financially floundering airline's employees. This industry is a craps-shoot and I laugh when I hear pilots say that they had the foresight "to pick" the most financially viable airline whenever they're with the airline that holds the best hand at the time. Nobody should ever get screwed or get a windfall from a merger or buy-out, even if their airline "saved the other one".

Clear Right,
I know that's not what you're saying. I am only making general comments.

And one more thing. This merger is not about airplanes. If SWA just wanted a huge influx of 73's they would have bought Alaska and there over 110 airplanes. It is purely about East Coast flying and the business passenger. Up and down the East Coast is the largest business market. I think SWA learned the value of the business flyer in this latest downturn. They need them more than leisure travelers because they fly alot more often. Not sure if offering them priority boarding and a free drink is going to capture that customer. On DAL Shuttle flights the booze is free to all pax and frequent fliers are also medallion members so they get free first class seating/boarding anyway and they don't typically check bags. I say bring it on. DAL will be fine. I sat next to a new Diamond Medallion member a few weeks ago (lived in ATL) and he didn't turn in his mileage for free tix to ABQ. He was going to Europe and Costa Rica. He was an admitted mileage program junkie and only flew Delta and stayed at Marriots. It's all about the points. USAir will be the loser IMO.