Ed Force One

While Trylabyte is trying his hardest too look like a complete moron across these merger threads, what he says here is true.

In fact, the reason everything he says above is true is because Spirit management are ruthless geniuses at cutting costs. They're so smart that they're stupid. Book smart but not street smart. Etc etc. They devote so much effort to slashing costs for the balance sheet that consequences aren't considered until it's too late. They claim to have "not seen this coming" but never looked beyond the blinders. So this, IMO, makes them the toughest opponent of all, one who will not listen to reason.

I'll pull out my soapbox for anyone and say that the company could not have possibly done a better job negotiating our current contract. What they did should be taught in business school. (It probably was, because it was so textbook) Anyways, that's my view of the situation and would like everyone to know who thinks differently that this is who we're up against, masterful negotiators. (and mind games) Hopefully this is a better negotiating environment than last time, but we're in for a fight.

Now, let me put this tin foil hat away. I've been wearing it so long it's starting to affect my posture.

Lakeaffect

Seems like Bill Franke has wanted this deal ever since he was at Spirit. I really don’t think the small airline buying the big airline says anything negative about the financial health or management of Spirit. It’s just a matter of Bill Franke really wanting a deal and offering a very sweet deal to the Spirit Board of Directors. And then Spirit said yes. They could have said no and probably refused offers in the past, who knows. I don’t think we can really say Spirit was bought because of mismanagement. I could be wrong but that’s my take.

DrDHD

with your spelling imperfections and grammar aside - you nailed it with this post.

Just be warned the cheerleaders here don’t like hurtful facts!!! “Sandi let another through” is the argument to anyone who points out Spirit’s shortcomings which are becoming increasingly evident daily since the buyout. God forbid the downsides of spirit are discussed.

Spirit IT meltdown today was 😳

sioux8ships

^^^ Spot on! Bendo and Co kicked our arses last time. He’ll do it again, especially with the same blood in the NC. Never understood why ALPA uses line pilots to negotiate a contract while the company uses professional attorneys. Class A ball vs the Major leagues.

Going to be a fight for sure.

CLE to IAH

this is a tired false narrative by you. Everyone here is willing to point out our shortcomings. You just like to make it about you and turn yourself into a victim by preempting every post with “look out here come the cheerleaders…. Gonna attack me….. need a safe space”

CincoDeMayo

It’s his version of a “what about’ism”

Lakeaffect

It’s not ALPA deciding to use pilots instead of lawyers to negotiate. It’s required in the RLA to use pilots. ALPA is just following the written rule. Every Union does the same.

CincoDeMayo

Yup, and those pilots are with ALPA lawyers throughout the entire process. Deals are not made at the table, papers are passed at the table and counters are made away from the table with our ALPA lawyers working with our pilot representatives. The idea the company is sending lawyers in who outsmart the gullible pilots at the negotiating table is a tired one. In the end, negotiations are to present an AIP, your reps make it a TA, and the pilots ratify it. Don’t like the end result? Take it up with the 70% of pilots who voted it in or the 6 reps that made it eligible to vote on.

Excargodog

Back when the airline stocks were tanking because of COVID, management incorporated a “poison pill” provision into their stockholders rights. NK didn’t HAVE to accept this deal, they did it because they wanted to. As for the little fish eating the bigger fish, that well may have been cosmetic to help get it past the antitrust guys. It’s a MERGER far more than a buy-out. But both sides clearly wanted this deal and as alike as the two airlines are, it will likely be a success business wise. But BECAUSE both managements want it to go through, there is less likely to be the usual farting around to put pressure on the pilots than for the average CBA.

The important thing is for both ALPA unions to get together immediately and define goals and expectations for the JCBA, then get competent negotiators to price out what we’ll accept. Because both managements WANT this to happen, and the union(s) have never been in a more advantageous position to make gains. But one way or another, barring fed disapproval, this is gonna happen eventually. The longer it takes, the longer before management realizes the economies of scale and competitive advantages this merger will give them. We need to get the most possible out their impatience to get this done…sort of like managements traditionally do with pilots.

TOGALOCK

According to the F9 MEC this has already begun.