Duvie,
Brad produced two pieces of information that have been significant in their influence to the pilot group at Southwest. The first was a very thorough (his research is always thorough IMHO) and well received by the pilot group in 2002. This was done during the interim contract negotiations post 911. In it he articulately described the foundation and history of what had made Southwest strong, it's relationship to its employees, it's ability to keep costs low and its ability to manage their finances in a manner that would allow continued growth during good or bad times. The leadership of the Association at the time was preparing to have the final proposal for review on the proposal. The BOD voted it down by a narrow margin after a revote but did send it to the membership.
Brad didn't specifically write his article with advance knowledge on the details of the propoosal but the paper was rather prophetic and matched the sentiment of the association/membership as evidenced by the strong support of the proposal by the negotiating committee. It became a classic and many folks kept the paper in their possession for a long time and passed it along to new hires for reading. Words on a page are far less emotional to the reader than those by a briefer on a DVD & some thought was the big difference between the scenario described above and the one below.
Fast forward to last year. Brad was troubled by the current direction of negotiations ('05) and what he was hearing/seeing from the negotiating committee & some BOD members. Once again he weighed into the discussion. No platform other than a concerned member but one that is a little better informed than the average pilot. His method of communicating was not the printed word but an expenditure of some substantial sums for a DVD he produced, edited and distributed at his own expense.
In it he expressed concerns about the uncertainities in the airline industry and if Southwest pilots decided to not take into account reducing fuel hedges (higher fuel costs for SWA), increasing percentage of labor costs by SWA as compared to other airlines & the inevitable uncertainities world events have upon the airline industry, Southwest pilots could face the same fate as other airline pilots. In a very methodical presentation he laid out a rather dark prospect if a particular path was chosen. He recommended "small course corrections" now to avoid more serious consequences (reduced profits, layoffs, turbulence among the workforce) down the road. He presented an alternate path that some took great offense at since it was delivered to every pilot on the property, regardless of their points of view.
As was mentioned by another poster on here Brad discussed in much detail the value of compensation, both in pay but particularly in other indirect forms, i.e. stock options, profit sharing. This was a path he thought that had served us well in the past & shouldn't be thrown out as a possible option this time around either. Options are a contentious issue among many here as more senior pilots have benefitted financially from them more than younger pilots (I'm one of those). The debate on the pros & cons of options is a litmus test for many...pick a side & you are "radical", pick the other, you're a "koolaiid drinker". These additional forms of compensation allow the pilot to be insulated from bumps in merely receiving one form of compensation, pay. That has certainly been the case with Southwest's past, stock options were huge & profit sharing has been good also.
Some have attributed this discussion on the DVD to his call for pay cuts. I viewed the DVD and do not recall Brad ever say those words. He has had them attributed to his DVD and I will contritely apologize if someone wishes to provide the exact quote with 100% accuracy he said it....otherwise I will stand by my statements. Others may dispute this, the reader will have to judge for themselves.
Was Brad asking the pilot group to act responsibly? Yes. Was he asking pilots to consider other forms of compensation other than pay? Yes. Was he asking the pilots to lead as a pilot group? Yes. However, that doesn't make him a bad guy or a bad analyst....he was impassioned enough to spend his money to say things that may not have been popular but members are allowed to do that. Many believed what he said. A very vocal group did not, I won't speculate on whether it was a majority or minority, it isn't important but the power of the internet makes for a very large bullhorn, both pro & con.
One of the major objections of the DVD was the use of labels used to described those who were more interested in pay rates that would result in, Brad's opinion, a path that would lead to the demise of Southwest. This was particularly the case of those sitting on the fence. The term "bolsheviks" detracted from the worthy debate his DVD generated among the pilot group. Was it too strong? Probably but Brad is not afraid to express his views, particularly when he feels toward Southwest the way he does. He strongly believes in the values and culture of the Company, as I do. He is an unapologetic when it comes to Herb, Colleen & Gary....as are many at Southwest. However, one had to either agree or disagree with his premise...there wasn't much room for being in the middle....that makes unity building much tougher. Others pointed this out to Brad, including myself but I respected Brad for putting his full effort behind it. It created a backlash against the reputation he had built over the previous 20 years.
I don't believe Brad realized the impact it would have but it was influential as I stated. Did this create too much emotion for the average pilot? Possibly but the tar & feathering that went on among some distorted the message greatly (which is common in the internet world) and the messenger became the issue instead of a healthy debate on the issue.
I say all of this to describe as unemotionally as possible the "story" behind the remarks. I'm sure there are others who have different views. They are certainly entitled to them & the readers, posters and lurkers can judge the story as it unfolds.
I've known Brad since shortly arriving at SWA and have had many spirited debates, some we agree on, many we don't but he is by far my senior (for folks that know me, that doesn't say much) & most folks when it comes to the airline industry and what is happening there. Most folks who may dislike his views or him personally should be asked...how much time have they spent talking to him? I can seriously say I've logged more hours than most, multiple legs flying, on the phone & in lounges over an adult beverage...doesn't make me an expert but who's opinion is worth more I would ask, someone who has spent zilch, nada, 1 hr or someone who has debated many times with the individual. He has done much for the pilots of Southwest over the years & has volunteered his time far more than most to help his fellow pilots. That piece of the puzzle is not recent history & as is the case with history, most folks aren't students of it & then only recall the most recent.
I believe his addition to the staff at AirlinePilotCentral is a plus to the casual reader here and will make this a more informed place to be. You will get a well reasoned and thought out opinion from Brad...his view shouldn't be held as gospel as no airline analyst's views should be...compare it to others & read more than one. I applaud the website for going in a direction that most airline forum websites don't do.
Sorry for the long ramble but thought it required a well thought out reply.....not sure you got anything but a long ramble
