A Message from SWAPA President
05-23-2012, 04:06 PM
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A Message from SWAPA President
Fellow Pilots,
Southwest Airlines just announced they have a tentative agreement with Delta Airlines to sublease the B717 and transition them out of our fleet by the end of 2015. This announcement is one SWAPA has planned for from the original announcement of the purchase of AirTran Airways. Side Letter 10 specifically addressed this possibility and it was discussed throughout the SLI & SL10 process. Management has made no secret the B717 does not meet the Company's long-term fleet plan and if the opportunity were presented, they would be retired from our fleet sooner, rather than later.
This is good news for our pilots for many reasons. First, management has stated there will be no jobs lost in this transition. The 717s will be transferred to Delta and our Classic fleet will be retired at a slower rate to account for the departing 717s. Add to that the availability of NG aircraft on the open market and our manning model will not be affected by this change.
Southwest's agreement with Delta will bring long overdue upgrades for many of our First Officers between now and December 2014 at the expense of Airtran captains. Movement on our seniority list is something we have all been waiting for and this will provide that movement.
The Company has repeatedly said the 717 is a "fine airplane" but doesn't really fit into our system or long-term fleet plans. We have a long history of profitability operating a single fleet type and this agreement allows SWA to continue to operate with that philosophy.
Finally, we believe this will aid the transition and place us in a better position to achieve the stated synergies that exist as a result of the AirTran acquisition. From the beginning, the Company has asserted this acquisition and subsequent integration would put Southwest Airlines in the strategic position to realize growth and increased profitability. SWAPA believes this is one of many initiatives that will help in that endeavor.
While we wait for the deal to become binding, I encourage everyone to stay engaged and if new information is presented, we will forward that along. Thank you for everything you do day-in and day-out.
Fly Safe,
END OF STATEMENT
Disclaimer: Red font provided by me.
I cannot believe he is celebrating the out right stealing of Airtran captain seats. He might be the hero of current SWA FOs but does he understand what he is doing to the culture of his company? He alone will be responsible for the downfall of SWA's culture.
Phred
Southwest Airlines just announced they have a tentative agreement with Delta Airlines to sublease the B717 and transition them out of our fleet by the end of 2015. This announcement is one SWAPA has planned for from the original announcement of the purchase of AirTran Airways. Side Letter 10 specifically addressed this possibility and it was discussed throughout the SLI & SL10 process. Management has made no secret the B717 does not meet the Company's long-term fleet plan and if the opportunity were presented, they would be retired from our fleet sooner, rather than later.
This is good news for our pilots for many reasons. First, management has stated there will be no jobs lost in this transition. The 717s will be transferred to Delta and our Classic fleet will be retired at a slower rate to account for the departing 717s. Add to that the availability of NG aircraft on the open market and our manning model will not be affected by this change.
Southwest's agreement with Delta will bring long overdue upgrades for many of our First Officers between now and December 2014 at the expense of Airtran captains. Movement on our seniority list is something we have all been waiting for and this will provide that movement.
The Company has repeatedly said the 717 is a "fine airplane" but doesn't really fit into our system or long-term fleet plans. We have a long history of profitability operating a single fleet type and this agreement allows SWA to continue to operate with that philosophy.
Finally, we believe this will aid the transition and place us in a better position to achieve the stated synergies that exist as a result of the AirTran acquisition. From the beginning, the Company has asserted this acquisition and subsequent integration would put Southwest Airlines in the strategic position to realize growth and increased profitability. SWAPA believes this is one of many initiatives that will help in that endeavor.
While we wait for the deal to become binding, I encourage everyone to stay engaged and if new information is presented, we will forward that along. Thank you for everything you do day-in and day-out.
Fly Safe,
END OF STATEMENT
Disclaimer: Red font provided by me.
I cannot believe he is celebrating the out right stealing of Airtran captain seats. He might be the hero of current SWA FOs but does he understand what he is doing to the culture of his company? He alone will be responsible for the downfall of SWA's culture.
Phred
05-23-2012, 04:59 PM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2007
Position: CA
Posts: 1,207
Complete and total B.S.
Your disclaimer should have read: Red font AND COMPLETELY BOGUS TEXT WHICH WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE ORIGINAL MESSAGE, provided by me.
This is the actual letter with relevant text that was actually in the letter in bold:
22 MAY 2012
A Message from your SWAPA President
Fellow Pilots,
Southwest Airlines just announced they have a tentative agreement with Delta Airlines to sublease the B717 and transition them out of our fleet by the end of 2015. This announcement is one SWAPA has planned for from the original announcement of the purchase of AirTran Airways. Side Letter 10 specifically addressed this possibility and it was discussed throughout the SLI & SL10 process. Management has made no secret the B717 does not meet the Company's long-term fleet plan and if the opportunity were presented, they would be retired from our fleet sooner, rather than later.
This is good news for our pilots for many reasons. First, management has stated there will be no jobs lost in this transition. The 717s will be transferred to Delta and our Classic fleet will be retired at a slower rate to account for the departing 717s. Add to that the availability of NG aircraft on the open market and our manning model will not be affected by this change.
Southwest's agreement with Delta will bring long overdue upgrades for many of our First Officers between now and December 2014. Movement on our seniority list is something we have all been waiting for and this will provide that movement.
The Company has repeatedly said the 717 is a "fine airplane" but doesn't really fit into our system or long-term fleet plans. We have a long history of profitability operating a single fleet type and this agreement allows SWA to continue to operate with that philosophy.
Finally, we believe this will aid the transition and place us in a better position to achieve the stated synergies that exist as a result of the AirTran acquisition. From the beginning, the Company has asserted this acquisition and subsequent integration would put Southwest Airlines in the strategic position to realize growth and increased profitability. SWAPA believes this is one of many initiatives that will help in that endeavor.
While we wait for the deal to become binding, I encourage everyone to stay engaged and if new information is presented, we will forward that along. Thank you for everything you do day-in and day-out.
Fly Safe,
Your disclaimer should have read: Red font AND COMPLETELY BOGUS TEXT WHICH WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE ORIGINAL MESSAGE, provided by me.
This is the actual letter with relevant text that was actually in the letter in bold:
22 MAY 2012
A Message from your SWAPA President
Fellow Pilots,
Southwest Airlines just announced they have a tentative agreement with Delta Airlines to sublease the B717 and transition them out of our fleet by the end of 2015. This announcement is one SWAPA has planned for from the original announcement of the purchase of AirTran Airways. Side Letter 10 specifically addressed this possibility and it was discussed throughout the SLI & SL10 process. Management has made no secret the B717 does not meet the Company's long-term fleet plan and if the opportunity were presented, they would be retired from our fleet sooner, rather than later.
This is good news for our pilots for many reasons. First, management has stated there will be no jobs lost in this transition. The 717s will be transferred to Delta and our Classic fleet will be retired at a slower rate to account for the departing 717s. Add to that the availability of NG aircraft on the open market and our manning model will not be affected by this change.
Southwest's agreement with Delta will bring long overdue upgrades for many of our First Officers between now and December 2014. Movement on our seniority list is something we have all been waiting for and this will provide that movement.
The Company has repeatedly said the 717 is a "fine airplane" but doesn't really fit into our system or long-term fleet plans. We have a long history of profitability operating a single fleet type and this agreement allows SWA to continue to operate with that philosophy.
Finally, we believe this will aid the transition and place us in a better position to achieve the stated synergies that exist as a result of the AirTran acquisition. From the beginning, the Company has asserted this acquisition and subsequent integration would put Southwest Airlines in the strategic position to realize growth and increased profitability. SWAPA believes this is one of many initiatives that will help in that endeavor.
While we wait for the deal to become binding, I encourage everyone to stay engaged and if new information is presented, we will forward that along. Thank you for everything you do day-in and day-out.
Fly Safe,
05-23-2012, 05:06 PM
#4
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Joined APC: Sep 2008
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I guess my disclaimer did not make it clear but I will clarify. The words in red were added by me and were NOT part of the original message. I can see how that would've been misunderstood.
It still doesn't change the fact that is a very divisive letter. It does nothing to bring the two groups together. Like I wrote, he is the one to blame for the end of SWA culture.
Phred
It still doesn't change the fact that is a very divisive letter. It does nothing to bring the two groups together. Like I wrote, he is the one to blame for the end of SWA culture.
Phred
05-23-2012, 05:53 PM
#6
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2007
Position: CA
Posts: 1,207
I guess my disclaimer did not make it clear but I will clarify. The words in red were added by me and were NOT part of the original message. I can see how that would've been misunderstood.
It still doesn't change the fact that is a very divisive letter. It does nothing to bring the two groups together. Like I wrote, he is the one to blame for the end of SWA culture.
Phred
It still doesn't change the fact that is a very divisive letter. It does nothing to bring the two groups together. Like I wrote, he is the one to blame for the end of SWA culture.
Phred
05-23-2012, 06:03 PM
#7
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2008
Position: B-737 Right
Posts: 243
*Cross posted from another thread since it is in response to the same message*
Shoelu -
You are correct that the red text was not included in the letter ... it did not have to be, because everyone at SWA knows it is true, just as everyone at Airtran knows it is painfully true.
Having talked about 717's going away during negotiations as a possibility in the event that a buyer could be found does not make it less painful to those AT Captains (not me) who are losing their seats.
Surely you can understand that.
The point is, Steve Chase did not need to include that line in his letter -- everyone already knew it was true. And, he had to know that his letter would be for the consumption of parties outside of SWAPA. Thus, the only real purpose for adding that line was to stick a knife in the side of Airtran Captains ... and twist it.
Just to be clear, I'm not ticked off at the world ... I still go to work every day and do the best job I can, and I will continue to do so when I cross the partition to SWA.
However, it would be nice if our future fellow employees would acknowledge the fact that everyone knows the Airtran guys got hosed out of their seniority (and Captain seats) -- and at least stop throwing it in our faces. No one likes to have that done, it is counter-productive, it is divisive. Nothing positive comes from it, unless you consider "spiking the football" to be productive.
Marvin
Shoelu -
You are correct that the red text was not included in the letter ... it did not have to be, because everyone at SWA knows it is true, just as everyone at Airtran knows it is painfully true.
Having talked about 717's going away during negotiations as a possibility in the event that a buyer could be found does not make it less painful to those AT Captains (not me) who are losing their seats.
Surely you can understand that.
The point is, Steve Chase did not need to include that line in his letter -- everyone already knew it was true. And, he had to know that his letter would be for the consumption of parties outside of SWAPA. Thus, the only real purpose for adding that line was to stick a knife in the side of Airtran Captains ... and twist it.
Just to be clear, I'm not ticked off at the world ... I still go to work every day and do the best job I can, and I will continue to do so when I cross the partition to SWA.
However, it would be nice if our future fellow employees would acknowledge the fact that everyone knows the Airtran guys got hosed out of their seniority (and Captain seats) -- and at least stop throwing it in our faces. No one likes to have that done, it is counter-productive, it is divisive. Nothing positive comes from it, unless you consider "spiking the football" to be productive.
Marvin
05-23-2012, 06:49 PM
#9
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Joined APC: Jun 2010
Position: DOWNGRADE COMPLETE: Thanks Gary. Thanks SWAPA.
Posts: 6,803
Because of the massive loss in relative seniority by those 717 Cptns, most could not hold 737 Cptn on the SW side. Furthermore, there is a restriction on AirTran pilots bidding SWA 737 Cptn before Jan. 1st, 2015. So to answer your question........they're going back to the right seat.
05-23-2012, 07:16 PM
#10
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Posts: 752
SWAPA is killing the 'culture'.
Based on the schedule announced yesterday, the only ATN CA's who will remain CA's are the ~215 who are left on the 717 when the last batch transitions in 2015.
Anyone can bid a CA slot after 1/1/2015, but based on the current fleet plan, retirements and zero growth, only about 300 ATN pilots could hold 737 CA.
SWA sent 2 assistant Chief Pilots to ATL to talk to the ATN guys in recurrent and in the crew room about the deal. I give them credit for doing that.
Contrast that move with the letter from Steve Chase and you can clearly see who is responsible for destroying the SWA culture.
Based on the schedule announced yesterday, the only ATN CA's who will remain CA's are the ~215 who are left on the 717 when the last batch transitions in 2015.
Anyone can bid a CA slot after 1/1/2015, but based on the current fleet plan, retirements and zero growth, only about 300 ATN pilots could hold 737 CA.
SWA sent 2 assistant Chief Pilots to ATL to talk to the ATN guys in recurrent and in the crew room about the deal. I give them credit for doing that.
Contrast that move with the letter from Steve Chase and you can clearly see who is responsible for destroying the SWA culture.
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