Originally Posted by
ShyGuy
Your good example is America West? From a pilot perspective, it's only worth it if you're looking back today. Since 2007 to about 2012, they had severe infighting, voted out ALPA, and got USAPA using pure majority numbers of East versus West. The SLI was done first and then a JCBA - that never came, because they didn't like the result of the underdog AWA getting the "windfall" on the East side. It changed ALPA Bylaws going forward and now that is why the JCBA is done first, and SLI second. West v East was a complete mess and the true synergies weren't recognzied until the AA merger. Today, sure West guys are flying widebodies. But the post merger years were terrible.
ALPA integration is such a limited view. Who cares about union infighting? That's not anything that can dealt with by management except try to smooth things over with more money.
My point is that the America West's management team, an airline smaller than what Alaska is now, were the winners to lead the largest airline in the world. Parker and Isom had no international experience, but embraced and learned and grew.
Is the Alaska management team capable of the same growth? History makes me suspicious.