Airline Pilot Central Forums - Southwest to buy AirTran Airways

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Quote:

Originally Posted by forgot to bid (Post 877898)

http://sg.wsj.net/public/resources/i...0927193402.gif

^^^ From WSJ

Southwest Airlines to Buy AirTran - WSJ.com

small excerpt, I hate posting an entire article because even though I used to do so I now just skip over them unless someone highlights in bold. Yep, that lazy. I like to find articles on my own news.google.com search. But now that the dust has settled, a more intelligent recap: :cool:

"I think Delta is going to be facing a pretty significant challenge," said Hunter Keay, an airline analyst at Stifel Nicolaus.

Delta said it wasn't concerned with the arrival of a bigger competitor at its hub, noting Southwest can't match its global network of more than 350 cities across six continents.

"Delta successfully competes with [AirTran and Southwest] in most of the major domestic markets we serve," said Betsy Talton, a Delta spokeswoman.

Southwest and AirTran serve about 30 of the same cities, which could trigger heightened scrutiny by antitrust regulators worried about competition in some markets.

The merger also could unravel if unionized pilots from Southwest and AirTran fail to reach agreement on how to combine seniority lists, which determine salaries. Southwest pulled out of a bankruptcy-court auction for Frontier Airlines Holdings Inc. last year after pilots couldn't quickly agree to terms. From everything I've heard, AAI pilots are estatic. Question is, would SWA pilots be happy on a ratioed SLI?

and...

The Southwest CEO added the combined airline could expand beyond AirTran's limited international routes into South America over the next three to five years. But flights to Europe aren't in the cards anytime soon, he added.

A Southwest-AirTran tie-up could heighten pressure on other discount airlines, including JetBlue Airways Corp. But larger legacy airlines such as Delta or American likely would be prevented from acquiring that discount airline because of antitrust concerns, said Mr. Keay, the analyst.

DAL would be precluded from buying AAI. There is no way that the DOT and DOJ would sign off on that one. DAL need AAI or SWA in ATL to quell the fears that it has too much of power hold on the ATL O and D traffic.

AMR could but why? Their better bet is part of LCC or all of B6.

I highly doubt that this will not have a response from DAL. Maybe we will buy AMR :eek:

Quote:

Originally Posted by acl65pilot (Post 878020)

Don't even go there in jest. OUCH! They're having labor issues at every level and their pilots seem to be about as downtrodden as you can get.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsquare (Post 877870)

Maybe not, but the businesses are much more bottom line driven than they were in the 80s. There is no way that adding a second airframe to the fleet is remotely cost neutral. Welcome to the big time.

You're right adding a second airframe is not cost neutral. But with the acquisition SWA gets the airframe and a MX department already spooled up on the 717 including type expertise and a fully stocked parts department. These are already a portion of the sale. I don't see the 717 sticking around long term but I can't imagine why they would want to divest them immediately before the leases run out since I believe them to be operating profitably for AirTran. I for one would much rather undertake 5 legs of the Texas two step in a shiny new 717 than a tired old 300 0r 500.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragon (Post 878058)

Don't even go there in jest. OUCH! They're having labor issues at every level and their pilots seem to be about as downtrodden as you can get.

But when retirements kick in at AMR :eek::eek:, it wouldn't be a bad idea. :cool: Just wouldn't ever happen.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 727C47 (Post 877828)

the 717s should actually work out for them in the smaller markets, i respect them for doing all their own flying, ala 717 ,instead of a CR9.

Why is a 717 better than a CRJ9 ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyWilliams (Post 878105)

Why is a 717 better than a CRJ9 ?

It's not, but flying them on a mainline certificate with mainline pilots and mainline salaries and work rules certainly is.

Southwest Pilots will have to agree to a fair integration to the Seniority list. No stapling will take place. If you were 50% up the Seniority list in company A, then you should be 50% up the list in the new Company. Only fair.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyWilliams (Post 878105)

Why is a 717 better than a CRJ9 ?

Because I can stand up in it

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyWilliams (Post 878105)

Why is a 717 better than a CRJ9 ?

Cabin height, seat comfort, inflight entertainment,m you name it.

I'll give you that the 9 is better than the 2, but that's about it. Why do you think that Delta wants first class in them?

Never been impressed with the Bombardier product. We'll see about the C series. I am told that Delta may be interested. The rest of them can be scrapped from my customer service perspective.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlightPhoenix (Post 878116)

Do you fly for Southwest?? Airtran??? We will decide what is fair ;)