They already are looking for a contract grab. It's not an "if".


We are about five WEEKS into the coronavirus crisis. Look how much has changed in the last five weeks.


They cannot furlough anyone, if they're going to do that, until Oct 1. That's more than five MONTHS away.


Who knows how much things will change between now and then? Who knows how the public's attitude will change toward the virus? Who knows what scientific developments will occur between now and then? Who knows?


As a symbolic gesture, let's start with the executive leadership team, all VP's and higher, giving up 75% of their total compensation package to include stock options, bonuses, and all other extras beyond their salary. Let the 75% haircut remain in place until the corporation returns to profitability and all concessions that any labor group may end up agreeing to as a result of the covid crisis eliminated. I'm sure even the lowliest VP would still be bringing in a couple of hundred thousand dollars per year even after a 75% pay package cut.


Let's also start with the senior executive team reimbursing the corporation their tens of millions of dollars in bonuses over the last several years for their, in light of the current situation, poor decision to buy back billions of dollars of shares. How useful would those extra billions and billions be to the corporation now? Instead, those billions of dollars in buy backs did nothing other than enrich Wall St investors, SWA executives, and SWA BOD members.


Then, let's talk, keeping in mind that SWA is the world's strongest airline financially. Let's keep in mind that when our pilot group needed improved pay and benefits, the executives dragged out our last negotiating cycle for five years. Let's also remember that when our mechanics needed improved pay and benefits, the executive dragged out their negotiations for seven-plus years and filed two lawsuits against their union.


If the executives feel like they need to pull the trigger on a furlough, let them blow one of the last remaining vestiges of illusion that we work for, as one person on another forum put it, a "family" airline.


Go ahead. Make my day.