SoCalGuy

And the kitchen is empty

Couldn't resist.

Marvin

The following statements are made without emotion -- I just thought the statements above needed comment:

1. For Airtran pilots, I am pretty sure it is accurate to say that 0% of the pilots would have had any seniority boost; almost all would have lost a great deal of seniority, most on the order of 30-something percent.

2. I think we upgraded 8 guys to Captain after the announcement -- fair point, but hardly worth mentioning, I think.

3. This is a big point -- the 10 year fence in ATL. Sounds great, but when you consider that all Airtran pilots would be initially based in ATL and that SWA intends to shrink the ATL base down to 850 pilots, that means that half of the Airtran guys would be based wherever their reduced seniority would hold outside ATL.

4. Pay vs. QOL. Always a challenging topic to go into, but many Airtran pilots would be taking the pay raise in exchange for being on reserve at bases possibly far away from their homes. And, as you accurately mentioned, who knows what happens (with pay rates) tomorrow? To put it another way, how much more money would someone have to pay you to give up seniority and QOL?

Both sides have disparate positions. Both sides think they are being reasonable and that the other side is being unreasonable. In the end, something will have to give. It would be awfully nice if this thing gets resolved in mediation ... I remain hopeful.

forgot to bid

Why don't you guys pick 1 DAL pilot to arbitrate the merger?

I nominate... Tsquare or Carl.

SWAcapt

Marvin, I'll take a shot at that. I think that on the date of announcement, the AT Capt pay scale was fairly close to our FO pay scale. So let's say about 50% better. About 10 years ago, I gave up a good schedule (Tu-W-Th) living in base in Dallas to sit reserve in Orlando on the weekends for a 50% pay increase. If you were able to offer me a 50% pay increase to move to another base and be on reserve, I'd do again.

We were not that far apart considering we had an AIP. I do agree that each side views the other as unreasonable.


I think it's too late. There is currently nothing to mediate as the AIP no longer exists. After the MEC voted it down the company pulled the offer. I don't think we could start from scratch in the allotted time. Besides, all the money left the table. The only thing to discuss is "the list". I believe that it was the list and not the money that the MEC had a problem with. Unfortunately, it's out of the hands of us line pilots and most likely an arbitrator will assign our positions. Good luck to us all.

fullflank

Airtran pilots just simply couldn't justify taking such a huge seniority loss in exchange for swapa's CBA, (which as history dictates, could look very different in 10 years). All they want now is to move to the next step of the process agreement which was agreed on by ALPA, SWAPA, and SWA. Unfortunetly, GK's announcement today made it seem as though he will not let it take it's course. For example; he said things like "if we decide to continue the integration", and " we may expore other options other than arbitration". SWAcapt, which direction do you see this heading?

shoelu

He may not be a 14 year old boy, and he is definitely a successful leader, but he is clearly not pleased with the recent turn of events. Here are a few quotes from his most recent communication to SWA and AT pilots:

"I am writing you today to let you know my thoughts on the ALPA MEC decision not to put the proposed agreement out to a vote"..."I was disappointed that the ALPA MEC chose to reject the offer. In my opinion,
the preferred way to a fair and equitable solution is through negotiation, not arbitration. All Pilots should have their say in their future. Since a negotiated agreement has not been reached, despite our best efforts, we will continue to consider all other options, in addition to arbitration. Our decision will be based on what is best for our People, our business, and our Culture. As the first of our next steps, we have withdrawn our economic offer of support for the SLI package. Due to the worsened economic environment this summer, coupled with the fact that the SLI can no longer be expedited, we cannot afford the previous offer"..."We made clear that if an expedited agreement could not be reached, we would revaluate our plan in light of worsening economic conditions"..."Simply put, reevaluating the integration plan is mandatory in this economic climate"..."AirTran has been bought and is now owned by Southwest"..."The Company certainly made a generous economic offer to facilitate the seniority list"..."That said, we now find ourselves with a stalled economic recovery, a cloudy outlook for air travel, and 40 percent higher (and record) energy costs. Those realities cannot be ignored."

LuvJockey

Wow. In "southwest-ese" that's about as bad as it gets.

Rolf

He also said that Airtran jobs are safe. When this is over, I will have a sign-up sheet in the lounges to join a 12-step program of some kind.

OscartheGrouch

I would like to see TS, Carl, and you FTB! You are the new lawyer right (congrats). I believe the arbitration panel is supposed to have 3 members.

There might even be new standards for seniority integration such as...... being drawn and quartered, the use of gallows, etc.

I'll get some popcorn!

The Troll (AKA Oscar)

tsquare

You wouldn't want me..