Originally Posted by
72944
United pilots voted to keep pay rates but did reduced work to prevent furloughs and keep people in their current seat for a quicker recovery. If COVID had continued longer United the pilots would have worked less (so earning less) but not furloughed. I believe SW pilots would have worked and been paid normally (no reduction) with 10% of their brother and sisters on the street. What’s the better approach?
There's no way to say what would have happened at Southwest because the "process" was never completed. Based on what happened around that time, the WARN notices were basically a bluff. They were sent before xmas but were dated much further into the future then they needed to. Also, SWAPA asked asked a number of times for data and wanted to sit down and discuss with the company. However, the company never provided data, and didn't sit down, no doubt because data would have showed the truth which was they were no position to furlough.
The big question is, what will happen if there is a time in the future where the company IS in a position to furlough? Based on there actions this time, "Herb's airline" is gone and they will. I would say however that if Southwest if furloughing, the rest of the industry would have to be in deep trouble also...