Originally Posted by 5wnriders

Listen, NO pilot in this scenario wants the cheese moved! But, why is it that the fates of 1500 need to cause the unrest of 6000? Seriously, just as AT guys want to have their seniority and LUVs pay and bennies; LUV folks want their upgrades and senority! A staple really isn't the answer either. That just causes animosity and distrust! But one group wanting the best of ALL worlds isn't right either. Why should a 9 year FO at LUV have to be held back because a 6yr Cappy at AT is now sitting to the left of him? AND what about the AT FO who applied at LUV twice and got turned down, is it FAIR that he is going to have a better seniority number and upgrade time than a FO on property? No matter what airline you are at you wouldn't like that!! What is equitable about that? Geez, nothing is gonna be fair and No one is going to get it "all". Nor should they! No one has the answer, not even the arbitrator. Until everyone involved is willing to yield in some way, it's going to be uncomfortable to say the very least. It's not fair. LIFE isn't fair! All folks involved need to start thinking how to best get along with the new "in-laws"! I bet if everyone involved did just that, we'd see we have a whole lot of the same worries!

Originally Posted by forgot to bid

JD,
So you're saying, sarcastically, that AirTran pilots are all about to be put on the street, right?

Which is a really fantastic thing for you because you're a new hire at SWA and will now be getting a fleet of 140 aircraft that will need to be staffed in short order, right?

Just curious, you're fanning the flames and I just want to help make sure it's clear.


___________________
btw, ALPA really doesn't have anything to do with it. I don't think DALPA, APA, IBT or even SWAPA if the shoe was on the other food would've voted this in nor would have JB if given the opportunity to vote in mass. And fwiw, light to occasional moderate ALPA hater here.

Originally Posted by Justdoinmyjob

All I can say is that, as a shareholder of LUV, if GK wants to keep the two separate and costs me share value, or tries to unwind the deal, and costs me share value, there will be lawsuits. He has a fiduciary responsibility to the shareholders that goes beyond keeping the pilots happy.

Now I know that happy employees make for profit, but to give up profit to keep a bunch of primadonnas happy will cost him in shareholder goodwill.

SWA has joined the ranks of "just another airline." The employees just haven't figured that out yet.

Originally Posted by JDFlyer

FTB -

I gotta always give you credit, you are really good at swinging a hammer and hitting the nail square on the head.

I am not intentionally fanning the flames for anybody, just posting my thoughts on the very new reality for AirTran pilots.

Originally Posted by Check Essential

Fascinating.
The AirTran MEC just dropped a deuce right on Gary Kelly's desk.
I don't think he's used to that from his pilots.
It'll be very interesting to see how he reacts.

Originally Posted by Justdoinmyjob

All I can say is that, as a shareholder of LUV, if GK wants to keep the two separate and costs me share value, or tries to unwind the deal, and costs me share value, there will be lawsuits. He has a fiduciary responsibility to the shareholders that goes beyond keeping the pilots happy.

Now I know that happy employees make for profit, but to give up profit to keep a bunch of primadonnas happy will cost him in shareholder goodwill.

SWA has joined the ranks of "just another airline." The employees just haven't figured that out yet.

Originally Posted by 80ktsClamp

I believe it's more the new reality for the WN pilots than for the FL types... the cush and friendly environment is about to get a lot crazier. ALPA did exactly what they should have done for their pilots. Like it or not, the FL guys are your equals. If this didn't set off an alarm of reality in your head, the arbiter certainly will!

Don't ask me, though... I'm horrible at calling how it's going to go down.

Originally Posted by Smokey23

See post #38.

Originally Posted by 80ktsClamp

I've quite accurately called how each arbitration in recent times was going to go down, just so you know. Including ours... in which I of course had bias.

Don't say I didn't warn you...

Originally Posted by LuvJockey

A LUV shareholder, eh? How's that working out fer ya since the announcement?