Originally Posted by
1Seat 1Engine
BTW, how's that UAL/CAL thing goin?
Since you asked....why not expound??
With this thread being a pop-shop with SLI emphasis, we'll focus on the fun stuff, your "SLI".
I think the key difference in the two Mergers (yours vs ours) is that in the "UniCal" gig,
both pilot groups are keenly aware of the "road map" that our SLI will embark-upon, that being a board of
Tri-Panel Arbitration (99.999%----> certainty)...."pretty simple/work a long time".....ALPA v ALPA as displayed per the DAL process.
Over the recent weeks in speaking with several co-horts over at SWA (both seats), and AirTran, the SLI has been the obvious 'talk of the town'. Through a 'previous life' in aviation, I have flown with/know FO T.W., one of your 6 or 7 Pilots on the SWA Merger Committee. I have much respect for him. T.W. is a
very talented person, one in which the position requires during this type of Merger. With that being said, what stands out to many 'outsiders' of the Merger (me included),
several of the SWA Pilots that I have spoken with see this not going to Arbitration....solution....using the "Swingliner Methodolgy"/or some close variation there of. In today's world of Airline Mergers, those would be tall/pretty unrealistic expectations (Just view McCaskill-Bond Amendment post TWA).
In the SWA/Tranny Merger, will there 'most likely' be LARGE base fencing?? I would bet the house. Will there be a "Staple Job" on a large majority ('all', as some SWA Pilots have expressed) of AirTran Pilots?? I honestly
doubt it. With the above being said, that's where most 'outsiders' are rolling eyes. It obvious/and understood, the 'job' of the respective MC's is to fight tooth/nail.....but there's also a difference in being realistic vs 'expecting' to land "50 yards North of the 50".
I'll be the first to admit, I don't have a "dawg" in this fight.....he's presently disposed in another.....As one has said before regarding Airline Mergers, "Keep your expectations realistic so to digest any certain legal outcome".....probably more true today, than years prior.
Good luck on the SLI process.