Originally Posted by
Bustin
I see what you're saying winglets. You are referring to Skywest Inc. Skywest Inc. is a company that owns two separate airlines. It makes no sense for them to merge the two when one is union, the other is not. ALPA at ASA isn't going anywhere and Skywest votes them down time and time again. It works fine for them to keep them operating separately. They're both profitable and there is no drama between the pilot groups. Skywest Airlines has no obligation to "call back" furloughs from a sister company who's seniority list is entirely separate. They do offer preferential hiring.
As for Skywest mistreating ASA, hasn't happened yet, to my knowledge. ASA has been improved on almost every level since the acquisition from Delta. Not to mention the CEO came straight from Salt Lake and he is generally liked within the system (unheard of!).
Believe me, you wouldn't be hearing any complaints from me if they merged the two companies. I would be bidding out of ATL within the hour! They just have no reason to under the present circumstances and I don't blame them.
There is a reason why the don't merge the companies. And its not because they think its better for the pilots.
Originally Posted by
Bustin
Keep an eye on Republic. They have a HUGE mess on their hands. It's going to be a nightmare merging those groups. Why do you think Delta wanted to get an agreement between pilot groups BEFORE acquiring Northwest?
Ask US Air and America West pilots what they think of each other. It's downright hostile at times.
Fact is, it's entirely up to Skywest Inc. what they want to do. No one is getting screwed because Skywest Airlines and ASA were two different companies from the start. They may merge someday in a more merge-friendly environment. It just doesn't make any business sense right now. Both companies are in good standing as they sit. It would be a bold decision to shake things up when they're this stable.
It is a business decision. There are cost savings to be had if they merged the companies but they fear unions. So they go against good business decisions solely on the basis of their fear that their employees may unionize.
Fact is that pilots, specifically ASA pilots, get screwed because of Skywest decides to run two separate companies. Nothing stops them from asking their pilots to come up with an integrated seniority list just as DAL & NWA asked their pilots to do.
Originally Posted by
rickair7777
I guess the bright spot here is that once you do get on with SKW, they have demonstrated time and again that they will do everything they can to avoid furlough.
And there is a cost benefit analysis on that as well. Probably has something to do with unions as well.