Alaska Guys?
 

Whats the rumors over there about us and ya'll?

Nothin'. What have you heard?

Had a buddy jumpseat on you guys with one of your MD80 check airman, said you guys were going to speed up the process of eliminating them.Check airman at the meeting asked if there was any possible link to SWA for this, some management person responded with, I can't answer anything that might affect our stock price.

OT,

Saw Genie One today. Pretty cool paint job.

I think that's an idea that could catch on.......eliminating check airman that is :p

FWIW, I haven't heard anything other than the usual rumors based on conversations with a very well connected non-pilot at Alaska. I wouldn't read too much into the (above) reply as it's a pretty common "non-answer" from management types. The CEO has a responsibility to make an announcement that could affect stock price to all shareholders simultaneously. Most management guys who have been there for more than a week are also pretty good at skirting denial as it's sometimes read as confirmation.

In other words, believe it when you see it in a press release.

I have to agree with HSLD about not believing anything until you actually see it, but I just had an interesting conversation with one of our mechanics tonight. He said that Southwest had asked for and received a copy of the maintenance seniority list for Alaska mechanics. He didn't know if any other work group seniority lists had been forwarded, but was drawing the conclusion that it had something to do with merger talks. If we were to be bought by Southwest, which I sincerely hope does not happen (no offense to my SW brothers), it wouldn't be the worst thing to happen to someone's career. Just to note, there have been several times in the past--eight years ago or so--that a buyout was essentially a done deal by American. I personally think the eskimo is safe, but what do I know?

I sure as hell hope SW does not merge with Alaska. No offense to anyone.

I wonder if Southwest could handle flying in Alaska...its kinda different!

On the business end of things, it would be a smart acquisition. Alaska has the state basically to themselves and a lot of high yield routes. They also would give Southwest access to Hawaii and Mexico. Plus, the fleet commonality, once the maddogs are gone, is a no-brainer.

Now, from what I gathered, it seemed like Alaska and Southwest really didn't like each other. Anyone ever get that feeling?

I wish SWA would buy Alaska and clean house.

I can tell you that we fly airplane VERY differently. SW flys more legs and flys the airplane much more, how should I say this, casually. Our guys are much more methodical in the way we fly the 737. I'm not taking anything away from SW. They DO have the best safety record. I just think the style is different. It would really be something to see a SW guy and a ALK guy fly together. That said, we can all learn to adapt to other styles.

As far as the merger or buy out, SW is the rich kid. They will call the shots. Alaska is cash rich and an attractive buy at the moment. We would basically snap on to the side of SW without much overlap so I guess it is possible. SW has done it before (Moris) but with ALK, seniority issues would be very complicated. No one is going to buy being stapled. ALK is 75 years old and charter members of ALPA. We've got pensions and until last year, were the best paid. I don't see us getting walk on by SW.

If it happened I could see running ALK separately for many years.

"we don't have a clear plan of how we're going to move forward."
 

I know a guy that was at Morris that boasted the exact same statement.

---------- different thought -----------------------

This next part is out of context, old news, I don't claim it has anything to do with this thread, draw your own conclusion; But the flying might not be as different as you think.....

Perhaps now the plan is a little more clear.......



ATW Daily News

Southwest Airlines commits to fleetwide RNP capability
Wednesday May 9, 2007
Calling it a "tipping point for performance-based navigation," US FAA Administrator Marion Blakey said at a briefing at Washington National Airport yesterday that Southwest Airlines informed the agency that it will equip its entire fleet for RNP, including retrofitting its 737 Classics.

The airline confirmed the plan, which Air Transport Assn. President and CEO James May said was an indication that "the entire industry is migrating as rapidly as possible to NextGen."

A Southwest spokesperson told ATWOnline that the carrier "has made the decision to move forward internally, but all the specifics are not in place. We've been researching the capabilities for more than a year, the possibilities and efficiencies that we would gain and the benefits from our fleet being RNP-capable." The airline will start with its 737-700s, which come RNP-ready but would require "some switches to be flipped" before flying for SWA. There is no timetable on the retrofit, the spokesperson revealed, saying, "we don't have a clear plan of how we're going to move forward."

Nevertheless, Southwest is the largest airline to commit to RNP capability across its entire fleet. Alaska Airlines, which pioneered the development of RNP procedures, previously had made the same commitment. Blakey said 37 RNP approaches currently are available at 17 airports, with an additional 34 scheduled to be in place by year end and another 25 published next year.

The RNP could also just be a business decision in the context of $100+ fuel. However; there have been a lot of interesting tidbits in the thread so far.

I also hear SWA is more interested in Horizon than Alaska. Does this make any sense/cents?$?$

Why would LUV want a Q400/RJ operation?

What does make sense is this:

1. In the Alaska Air Group annual report the board voted on a payout for Senior Management IF Alaska Airlines is sold out of the Air Group. $6M for the CEO, $4.5M for the CFO and the COO, $3.5M for the ex-VP of Flight Ops who is currently on a consulting contract.

2. They are accelerating the MD retirements.

3. Alaska has enough cash/cash equivalents in the bank to buy EVERY share of Alaska stock and leave about $300M.

4. The Air Group has had the EMB-190/195 on site in PDX showing them to Horizon folks.

So, here's the scenario. Alaska Air Group sells Alaska Airlines to whoever (LUV, DAL, etc.). The Senior Managers make a killing not only on the specified cash payout, but on their stock/stock options as well.

They sell off all their Union problems. The only labor groups unionized at Horizon are the pilots and F/As.

They then take the money from the sale of Alaska and acquire a bunch of Ejets. The Horizon guys are enamoured with a bigger plane and agree to fly it for CRJ wages.

If history is any predictor, whoever buys Alaska will soldier along on the West Coast for a couple years and eventually strip the assets and put them into their East/West operation. AA did it to AirCal and Reno. USAir did it to PSA. Delta did it to Western.

The Air Group then fills the void using Horizon's Q400s and Ejets, having discarded the CRJs as the Ejets came on board. The Senior Managers laugh all the way to the bank.

What about the Alaska pilots? If the Morris deal was an indicator, they'll probably be stapled to the bottom of the LUV list, but pay protected in their current seat positions. There are plenty of Alaska Captains who would pull gear for $196 an hour.

I hope we dont merge either, but if we do you guys would be the one that I would choose. If we do I hope they build a big fence or something?

Personally, I'd prefer LUV over DAL as well. Fences? If we get stapled, you won't need them. As long as there's just a policy of "No bump and flush" then it won't really matter.

An Alaska buyout would be an easy way for LUV to expand without having to train a bunch of new guys.

First, I don't think WN would have much interest in the CRJs, but the Q400 would allow them to access a lot of smaller markets at a cheaper cost than the legacies who have large RJ operations.

The second point I'd like to make is that I find it very unlikely that Horizon's pilots would agree to fly a 90 seater for the same rates as the CRJ-700. Actually, I'm pretty sure the Union's first reaction to any such proposal would be laughter, soon followed by disgust when they realized that management was serious.

Another thought I had was about anti-trust concerns. Much as UA and US was determined by the DOJ to control too much of the east coast, AS and WN might have the same problem just on the other side of the continent. I believe they are the two largest carriers up and down the west coast.

You make some BOLD statements. I think the Horizon pilots are very smart and would not fly the E-190 without a new pay scale.
The deal on Morris (no-union) was they'd all be CA's at WN within 5 years. Based on growth at that time.
Why would you even think for 1 second that Alaska pilots would be stapled?

That was flame bait. AA will make this impractical as an acquisition. Merger is possible, but I doubt that, too. I think you guys may be reaching here

[quote=mike734;289950]I can tell you that we fly airplane VERY differently. SW flys more legs and flys the airplane much more, how should I say this, casually. Our guys are much more methodical in the way we fly the 737. I'm not taking anything away from SW. They DO have the best safety record. I just think the style is different. It would really be something to see a SW guy and a ALK guy fly together. That said, we can all learn to adapt to other styles.

I do not think there is a big difference.... SW guys/gals have incentive to fly.... Paid by the trip! ALK pilots only have sick leave as a incentive!

We (QX pilots) will stand our ground and would not fly the Ejets for the same as the CRJ. Period!!!!

This from the pilot group who proposed to Alaska management that they'd take over the MD-80s, fly them 80 hours a month for $80K a year.

Or 80 for 80 for 80.

Anyone remember that?

Let's not forget that QX CRJ drivers are currently the highest paid CRJ operators in the U.S. Now, Angle Lake is going to give them a choice: Gut their pay like they did to Alaska pilots OR fly Ejets for current book.

You tell me how that will pan out.

AAG management is crazy if they think they will get significant cuts from QX pilots. There is no arbitration clause like AS pilots had in their former contract, so how is Angle Lake going to force a pay cut down everyone's throat?

Also, E-Jets for CRJ-700 pay won't be happening either. Since everyone knows the E-Jets would be CRJ replacements and not growth, it becomes extremely difficult for management to sell the idea of more seats for the same pay. I know precisely zero pilots at QX who would vote for such a plan.

Actually, I don't remember that. Why would the pilot group of one airline make a proposal to the management of another? flame on....

I don't remember that MD-80 scenario either. That sounds like utter BS from a QX hater looking to incite animosity toward us. Let's hear your source for that one.

We are actually seeking to negotiate with the Airgroup from a united front with Alaska. Remember, the idea isn't to drag us down like you guys were (don't get me started on that one...), but rather to restore you guys WITH retro pay, etc. In-fighting within the Airgroup just plays into their hands.

Besides, you guys got a $25 Xmas bonus! We only got $16 :rolleyes:

I agree...ALK pilots will most likely be the first major to nagatioate a better contract, and thus will hopefully help pave the future for the rest. QX pilots stand behind ALK pilots...I just think it is sad that some of them don't send the same message.

Personally, I'm looking forward my free DVD of "50 First Dates" and one-topping pizza from Domino's. Party at my place in mid-February.:rolleyes:

:cool:Hmmmmm...Running the wires in KCI, Running off the runway in BUR and MDW...Yep THE best safety record.....................

You wouldn't want to slide off the end at OTZ, would ya?

They do fly a lot more legs and routes than we do... The law of averages will play out...

There are a lot of ex QX guys here.... There really is no distain for QX here... One or two ex mil types..

Keep the pay up there boys!!!!

I don't know what the KCI is? But tell us about your safety record. Please don't say its Jetblue, if I started an airline today I would have the best safety record.

Many options.... none very attractive.....



http://www.acco.com/swingline/produc....aspx?cat=1001

How are they going to 'gut our pay' exactly? The only scenario I could see would be the airgroup putting our flying out for bid, but they can't do it via binding arbitration.

That was funny! :eek:

I am ready to strike too.
I also am not coming to work on May 1.
I also am going to stop turning on my logo light on May 1 (lights out on Alaska).