Originally Posted by
randomroute
Can someone explain really quickly cly to an outsider what the ongoing VX/AK beef is all about?
Sure VA was innovative and cool, but it almost didnt get off of the ground! And once it did there was money and leadership trouble. All in all, I think everyone in this industry knew VA wasnt going to last. Right?
Alaska was an old crow and not very “hip”. The customers were different and the demands of mood lighting and innovative IFE wasnt there. Im sure there are some rules/standards that lie in legacy operating logic, but in the end Alaska was not anyones first choice for travel if they werent ultimately going to SE Alaska. Right?
Next thing you know, theres a merge and two different brands are forced to work with each other. Whats the big deal? With this merge weve seen better cabins, a larger network, and a measure of dominant control on west coast market share.
So why is there still a beef? Is this a contract renewal problem or a ‘my company is better than your company!’ problem? I only ask because its ironic that this thread is about merging but the one that already happened is still problematic.
You just stepped on a hornets nest of opinions! You’ve pretty much got it right. Two little airlines have come together and each side thinks it was better than the other. It’s what happens when you attach your identity to your workplace. Pilots seem to be especially susceptible to this. Mergers, or in this case acquisitions, suck. The majority of pilots get screwed or at least have the perception of being screwed. It’s not unique to AS/VX. There is still much animosity between many pilots that have gone through recent mergers/acquisitions. Many air their grievances here on APC because it’s anonymous and they can sling mud without retribution. Real grown man stuff
Hopefully with the passage of a new contract that we ALL work together on, the petty b.s. will die down. Until then, standby by to get an earful of why AS or former VX SUX!!!