Originally Posted by Marvin

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.

Originally Posted by Marvin

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.

Originally Posted by suppe100

Enter Content

Originally Posted by 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 As the first of our next steps, we have withdrawn our economic offer of support for the SLI package.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."

Originally Posted by 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)

Originally Posted by 80ktsClamp

Here, I'll help:

Originally Posted by forgot to bid

What was the financial sweetner in that package anyways? Pay increases? Were they not going to come anyways for FL pilots?

I still think the financial sweetner should've been on the SWA pilot side to accept a less staple like ISL.

Originally Posted by 1Seat 1Engine

Financial sweetener was 737 pay for 717's, enabled by the company to happen earlier.

That deal is gone. Now all we have is the promise of an "opener" for 717's. As there is certainly going to be an equipment lock on that airplane for a long time, my guess is motivation will be low for us to bring that pay rate up. (This is not MY recommendation, just my observation).

Also up to a 2 year longevity boost in pay for senior FO's. Sliding scale applied to the most senior dudes, some got 1 month, and some got 24 months of extra pay.