For clarification...from a previous thread...

, I know there are still some cross-over Eastern types and Value-Jet types also...not going there with this thread.

There was no mention that VJ employees crossed anything nor was it inferred, just that certain employees that worked at Eastern (and now AT) had crossed the Eastern Airlines picket line...again, this thread "ISN'T GOING there."

The thread made reference to the VJ group and former Eastern Airlines group because they are, I presume the older in age and more senior types that may be more demographically interested in leaves of absence.

After further research, I see AT has hired a number of military pilots that may explore mil leave if leaves are offered.

Boiled down to an egg sandwich, if leaves are offered at AT, will the number of "takers" be significant given that it is a fairly "young", in my opinion, airline....simple question.

FF

 

Just listened to a union conference call. Not to get into specifics, but it strongly appears a reduction in force will happen in september. Details to follow....

 

Hmmm ... that's a drag ... I guess my position in the AT pool is going to get deeper.

 

Union did say that if the is a RIF those folks on the street can expect to be there for minimum of 18-24 months.

 

Personally I seriously doubt there will be any furloughs at airTran - if they cannot make money no one can make money! They have a very efficient operation @ aT.

Recently I jumped on SWA and rode in the cockpit as the flight was full. A pretty senior captain was saying that IF United folds SWA would aggressively look into replacing United's entire Chicago market share with their own flights, possibly even moving into O’Hare.

I’m sorry UAL folks - I’m not trying to stir things up, just repeating what I heard – I sincerely DO hope things will work out for y’all too.

However, IF that scenario were to materialize personally I think the first step SWA will take is to buy out airTran. They simply cannot grow fast enough if UAL were to vacate bunch of gates in Chicago. I believe airTran management is trying to turn 'their' company even more lean in order to sweeten a possible SWA buy out - which without a doubt would be very lucrative to the entire aT management.

Just my worthless ¼ of a €uro ¢ which equals US $20.


Here's on "old" (Dec 2007) article:

Southwest's Gary Kelly says airline acquisitions may be on the horizon

...
“What do you say to an analyst or hedge fund manager who says, "Gary, why don't you eliminate your closest competitor by acquiring AirTran?"

We can't let investors guide the company. That's not to say that investors aren't smart and don't have good ideas, because they do. They just have different motives. We've got to stay true to who we are as a company and build for the long term. ...
At some point, I think we'll probably acquire somebody. That's just a reflection of my view that the industry is weak and that there'll be players up for sale, probably in a fire-sale mode, and we'll want to at least be thoughtful about that. We'll still have all the considerations – the fleet, the labor contracts, the seniority issues, the cost implications of it, the cultural aspects of trying to bring two work groups together and on and on and on. We would be concerned about that and always have been.”
...

 

[quote=⌐ AV8OR WANNABE;412147]Personally I seriously doubt there will be any furloughs at airTran - if they cannot make money no one can make money! They have a very efficient operation @ aT.

[/quote]

You are certainly entitled to your opinion. But, I'd like to know where you currently work or what insight you have to this. Because, being a probationary pilot...I will be LUCKY if we furlough (See Gemini...thats all I'll say about that). Not to be a Negative Nancy...but I'm mentally preparing myself to be out of a job by October. So...I'd tend to disagree with you on your above statement.

 

You are certainly entitled to your opinion. But, I'd like to know where you currently work or what insight you have to this. Because, being a probationary pilot...I will be LUCKY if we furlough (See Gemini...thats all I'll say about that). Not to be a Negative Nancy...but I'm mentally preparing myself to be out of a job by October. So...I'd tend to disagree with you on your above statement.



First off I’d like to apologize if my speculation upset you. Remember it’s only my personal opinion and believe it or not I thought my speculation would possible “calm some nerves” for those Citrus’ites who’re at the bottom of the list. Obviously I failed miserably here…

I have absolutely no insight nor do I have any special training to “look into the future.” It seems to me though that most airline management teams have even less insight so I figured I’d give it a shot.

As far as me, I’m a Big Brown ‘fastfeed driver’. Of course, most other airlines prefer the term pilot...
Not too long ago I was flying the 717 for the same company you now work for and had a blast doing it. Still have many friends over there and only wish the very best to all my former colleagues…

 

Naw...you didn't upset me at all. I haven't been here long at all but I'm really enjoying the people I'm working with and the plane...which makes the situation suck so much more. But...it is what it is and there isn't anything I can do about it.

And yes...you failed terribly at calming nerves...hahaha. Just messing with ya. My comments weren't mean to be hostile or anything like that...its just that all of us internally are hearing things that range from crappy to $h!tty.

 

I appreciate your point that it's an opinion, but a buyout of AirTran aint gonna happen in this environment. There's no way SWA is flying into O'Hare (too close to MDW), we are much more likely to fly into Milwaukee.

Again, just an opinion.

We are not in merger mode right now.

 

DWIGHT!!!

Is Jackson not putting out???
Dont worry Ill be there soon...... XOXOXOXOXOXOXO