Beechnut

Holly Hegeman alludes in her weekly update there were other reasons why Randy Babbitt left SWA. As in, it was something more than the classic negotiations move.

Anyone have the other story why he left?

ZapBrannigan

Just rumors. Funny rumors! But rumors nonetheless.

WHACKMASTER

Union busting work at corporate constantly got in the way of partaking in midday happy hour?

WHACKMASTER

Link or can you post it?

jetliner1526

"Another source of phone calls and emails – Randy Babbitt's unexpectedly announced departure as SVP of Labor Relations at Southwest Airlines.

Last week I wrote here that Southwest had announced Randy's "retirement". Given the timing of the announcement, I wondered aloud here if perhaps this was not a classic case of a company having used a negotiator – only to let that party go when it was time to get serious and close out a deal. (In this case more than one.) As I mentioned last week, this technique is one we have seen before in this industry where a company makes a change in an effort to get things moving in the midst of a contentious, drawn-out negotiation.

However, after we published last week, I received a large number of text messages, emails, and phone calls in regard to what I wrote.

According to those who reached out to me, it appears there may have been other things that took place that contributed to the announcement of Randy's departure.

I wanted to acknowledge that reach-out this week. I heard you. I am now aware.

But absent a confirmation of information many of you conveyed to me last week, all I can say is – it seems there may have been other reasons for the announcement of Randy's retirement.

If I can get a confirm, I will let you know. In the meantime, thanks to all of you who took the time to reach out to me about this." (Plane Business)

WHACKMASTER

Well, he's gone and that's the important thing. Now the question that begs to be asked is WHY all of sudden is the company closing out all these deals? What's in the works?

mooneymite

Not just SWA. There seem to be several companies all of a sudden settling with their unions.

Warren Buffets' Netjets has suddenly settled with 3 of 4 unions that had been in long-term "non-negotiable" neotiations.

Makes one wonder what the Oracle of Omaha knows, or projects about the coming economy.....rampant inflation comes to mind since locking in labor rates would be an advantage. Could be a number of things.

Stitches

The pilot supply/demand equation has shifted rapidly in the pilots favor over the last 3 years. Simple economics, these guys are just making rational business decisions.

Bootleg

Uh, They said there would be more free beer!! That's it!! I'm leaving too.

Jeff Lebowski

Irish yoga!