AT and SWA SLI: How to make it work.
08-25-2011, 10:22 AM
#102
Line Holder
Joined APC: Feb 2010
Posts: 31
It could certainly have a bearing on a award. If the SW pilots can show that a significant number of Airtran pilots were willing to start over at the bottom of the SW list I would think it would be a factor. I am sure SW management can produce the exact number of pilots with apps in in just a few minutes of computer run time. The question however is would they share that info with SWAPA after talking with their corporate attorneys. I suspect the attorneys might nix a release of that info and tell the company to stay out of it.
08-25-2011, 10:39 AM
#103
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Posts: 284
Interesting, but what about other airlines where they had their apps in? I would bet that of those that were applying to SWA they were also applying to DAL/UCAL/FDX, etc. I really do not think that this is, or should be any kind of decision making factor in the arbitrator's mind.
08-25-2011, 10:49 AM
#104
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,619
Just asking, but .. how do you quantify the job application data? If someone has an application in, and even if they get the interview -- does that mean they are planning to leave their current job? Or are they just keeping their options open? Can you tell from the fact that there is an application what the "intent" of the pilot is, ala the folks in the Bush v Gore recounts examining hanging chads to determine the intent of the voter?
How recently does the application have to have been updated to be valid? For example, I retired from the military in 2008 and put out applications EVERYWHERE, including SWA (never interviewed there, the economy tanked just as I was retiring -- great timing!). Haven't updated the app since then. Does that mean I am "actively planning to leave" my current job?
IMO, the applications on file issue is a dead end.
Incidentally, I don't have the numbers handy, but there were not very many AT Captains leaving for "greener pastures". Most of the upgrades were due to growth. The majority of AT folks leaving were F/O's, just like at any other airline. I feel quite confident that the data will bear this out -- ask a SWAPA guy, they apparently have access to the data. :-)
How recently does the application have to have been updated to be valid? For example, I retired from the military in 2008 and put out applications EVERYWHERE, including SWA (never interviewed there, the economy tanked just as I was retiring -- great timing!). Haven't updated the app since then. Does that mean I am "actively planning to leave" my current job?
IMO, the applications on file issue is a dead end.
Incidentally, I don't have the numbers handy, but there were not very many AT Captains leaving for "greener pastures". Most of the upgrades were due to growth. The majority of AT folks leaving were F/O's, just like at any other airline. I feel quite confident that the data will bear this out -- ask a SWAPA guy, they apparently have access to the data. :-)
08-25-2011, 10:51 AM
#105
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Posts: 284
DOH has not been used in years. Precedent shows that the pre-1993 hires at Southwest will not be immune to integration. I can almost guarantee you that there will be Airtran pilots senior to Southwest guys hired prior to 1993. Look at the Republic/Frontier SLI. That SLI will probably not matter in the long run, but it was decided by an arbitrator. There were pilots at Republic senior to Frontier pilots with earlier DOH. Look at US Airways/America West. America West started in late 1983 yet the most senior America West pilot was merged in with early 1981 US Airways' hires. Precedent says this will be relative seniorty throughout the list with a penalty to the Airtran pilots for flying the 717 (smaller aircraft).
Granted, Republic and USAir were in bankruptcy, which is significant, but one could argue that precedent favors the acquiring carrier.
08-25-2011, 10:52 AM
#106
Works Every Weekend
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Position: 737 ATL
Posts: 3,506
The application thing might be interesting but what does it really add to the debate?
The arbitrator already knows that SWA paid better than AirTran.
AirTran FOs applying at SWA isn't too shocking. Guys were chasing the money. Duh.
The arbitrator already knows that SWA paid better than AirTran.
AirTran FOs applying at SWA isn't too shocking. Guys were chasing the money. Duh.
08-25-2011, 10:56 AM
#107
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Posts: 284
08-25-2011, 11:03 AM
#108
Line Holder
Joined APC: Feb 2010
Posts: 31
But then see how many of those lifetime FOs put in their applications at DAL or UCAL while they watch those pay rates fly by the ones they are going get for the forseeable future.
