So we gain 25% growth and AT gains 75%, is that what you are saying?;)

Seriously, I think this is a good idea for Wall Street, DAL, LUV and even AT pilots, I just don't see much of a win for the junior SWA guys. I still want this to be a fair merger. 5th, what would be fair in your world?

So lets see - AT guys are gaining "decent management." Well apparently your "decent" management (presumably the same guys that have made your airline the better place to be) thinks this will make SWA an even better and stronger company.

Either your management is wrong (your premise above - SWA not gaining anything) or more likely the merger will allow SWA to compete better in the future - providing pilots from both sides all the benefits you listed as going only to the AT guys.

In order to thrive in the future SWA will have to evolve, adapt, and grow - just like other airlines, and like you, I think you guys have a sharp team running the show.

Good luck to all- Scoop

AT gains 75%??? AirTran wont exist. 25% percent growth overnight sounds pretty damn good if you ask me. SWA bought because there was no more room for growth in the U.S. (dont know about intl growth). I think fair is around 4:1 with all SWA pilots hired before 93 (our birth year) maintaining their senority. Im junior at da tranny so I dont have a dog in the SLI fight. At the end of the day, I will put on my bozo tie and show up for my trip on time. For the next 35 years. Barf.:)

What you've posted is very likely the way it will work out.

Also remember that everyone hired after the merger announcement goes to the bottom.

Scoop, I sit corrected. I made the distinction between SWA and SWAPA, but of course it is correct that if SWA does better it follows that we would too.
5th, the 25% is tranny. It doesn't go away, it gets repainted. I WANT you guys to do well.

Again point out the benfits to SWA PILOTS. Not the company. I am glad SWA as a company will benefit. I think thats obvious. How will SWA pilots benefit from trannie pilots joining our list? 4:1 I dont think so.

Lets hope both side are equally ticked at the deal. Why do you think it is Trannie pilots are happy and SWA pilots are ticked?

The lack of an answer speaks volumes.

We could explain how the additional international markets we have will bring more flights from other Southwest cities to Mexico and the Carribbean as well, spurring your first international growth in your recent history.

We could list the number of your senior F/O's who will likely REMAIN senior F/O's who will be upgrading SOONER because we bring aircraft deliveries that are GROWTH (as listed by your own CEO) instead of just replacement aircraft.

We could remind you that many of your pilots who live in or near ATL will now get to be based from home.

We could do all those things - and your pilots would likely simply scoff at them and dismiss them. So why should we bother when you've already made up your mind?

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4:1 I dont think so.

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You're absolutely right. Our pilots would never go for it as it would downgrade 1/4 of our CA's and staple the bottom half of our F/O list to yours.

Your pilots hired before our airline existed get DOH.
Everyone else gets relative seniority.

No reason to discuss anything else, really, since all we have to do is sit back and watch it go to arbitration to get the same or better results. We're used to gambling like that so it's nothing new for us The elitist attitude I'm seeing from Southwest pilots is really doing nothing but entrenching our pilots more and more in a philosophy of "just let it go to the arbitrator if they don't want to be fair".

Airline mergers aren't about what's a fair benefit to the individual employee groups. It's about enhancing shareholder value and managment bonuses. Will the junior types at both airlines get the shaft? Sure will, not much you can do but suck it up. Remember, the CEO's didn't ask you your opinion before the announcement, and don't really care what you feel about it after the announcement. the champagne corks popping are blocking out all other noise.