Originally Posted by LuvJockey (Post 877276)

I prefer "The Borg"

Originally Posted by forgot to bid (Post 877309)

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

Originally Posted by Zapata (Post 877310)

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.

Originally Posted by DYNASTY HVY (Post 877470)

Those 717 would look real nice in SWA livery:)

Originally Posted by Carl Spackler (Post 877271)

tsquare,

This particular troll is modestly interesting. He talks about his current avatar of "If that's how you play the game" - but his previous avatar was: "Don't you Delta guys have anything better to do?" But in his little world, Delta pilots are the ones that throw bombs.

He also confuses your thinking that he's pathetic, with you thinking that your mad. People with unrealistically inflated egos tend to do that.

Carl

Originally Posted by tsquare (Post 877477)

I'll betcha dollars to doughnuts they would never approve Alaska-Delta.

Originally Posted by forgot to bid (Post 877484)

Whats your bet on AMR-Jetblue? Because you could look at it this way, after SWA/AAI merge, what other low cost hub oriented airline will be out there? Really Jetblue, Spirit and Virgin. If JB goes then you have SWA, Spirit and Virgin. Wonder if they'd approve losing another "lcc", especially if it dwindles the market.

AirTran Airways Domestic Routes, Caribbean Routes and Mexico Routes
Southwest Airlines Domestic Routes

Allegiant Air Domestic Routes and International Charter
JetBlue Airways Domestic, Caribbean, and South America Routes
Spirit Airlines Domestic, Caribbean, Central and South America Routes
Sun Country Airlines Domestic, Mexico, and Caribbean Routes
Virgin America Domestic Routes and Toronto, Canada
USA3000 Airlines Domestic, Caribbean and Mexico Routes

Originally Posted by tsquare (Post 877499)

I just don't see JB and AMR. They would have to give up a ton of assets in JFK, and I really don't think there is much to gain there without those facilities. The JB terminal is nice, but if they were to merge, it would be sold, and who wants a terminal that has no customs/immigration and has gates fitted to little busses? (Maybe DAL could pick that up cheap and tie together T2 thru T5.) Although, JB is good for increasing SOMEBODY's Caribbean presence, but doesn't AMR already have good lift there?
But Virgin would be an easy way to pick up a few busses. That is interesting.
Allegiant, SunCountry, Spirit and the others out there are wildcards. I really have no clue about any of them.

I think the biggest unknown out there is USAirways. Dougie just cannot sit around and watch the world around him changing and continue to hang on to some sort of misguided belief that he can make things better there with the status quo.

Originally Posted by youngairliner (Post 877321)

I personally think that the Captains at AirTran hired pre 9/11 should get brought over into the left seat with some seniority. Longevity matters. They will take a hit in respect to seniority, but the pay, rigs, and other work improvements windfall will hopefully help with the seniority hit. A fence will exist for a certain amount of time. I don't think a staple is in order. I also think that the fair and equitable and no windfalls part of the law will apply to an 717 FO at AirTran, and with the huge pay increases and work rule improvements, and working at SWA (financially) is a windfall. A fifth year FO at Airtran according to APC makes $72, a fifth year FO at SWA makes $124 an hour (a 70% increase in pay, that is a windfall). There is no way there will be a DOH integration, and there is no way there is going to be a staple. I am not trying to be the arrogant SWA guy or any of that. I think everyone will walk away upset, but I hope we all will make this a better place to be. The pay increases for the AirTran pilots gives some leverage with respect to the law. Once again, staple isn't fair, but if an FO on their list hired a week before me gets on the master list above me, I don't think that is close to fair either. Fire away. Looking for honest and fair inputs, not flame bait.
SWA FO

Originally Posted by tsquare (Post 877477)

I'll betcha dollars to doughnuts they would never approve Alaska-Delta.