Herkulesdrvr

would the f9 guys get stapled at the bottom of the seniority list if SWA bought them?

Superpilot92

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hrd/pubs/airlinemg.pdf

Allegheny-Mohawk

Ralphie

Finally, someone who understands the difference between loose and lose.

Obviously, SWA isn't going to operate F9 as a subsidiary, and are not going to keep the airbusses. I think when I left there they owned around 18-20 of them, perhaps a few less now that they've sold a few for liquidity. SWA obviously wanted the A concourse and always has.

If I'm an F9 guy/gal, I'm torn- it would be a good list to be on obviously but the history of SWA acquisitions does not give one a warm fuzzy about that happening. SWA still believes their culture is unique and that they hire only folks who fit their culture, so out of all the airlines would be the least likely to fold in any group, even one with as good a reputation as F9 when it comes to taking care of their passengers. I gotta believe that SWA sees the ability to grow Denver with their upcoming airplane orders and pooled pilots as more appealing than bringing in a group of "outsiders."

Who's to say if their offer is better than Republics, and even if it is would F9 go with Republic anyway because they believed that it would keep their jobs around?

As a former F9 pilot, I wish the best to all my friends there in the upcoming months.

ToiletDuck

This news shouldn't be a shocker. It was one of the very few plausible reasons BB would take F9. I wonder what will happen now that Frontier and Midwest have a codeshare agreement.

If this goes through RAH is going to get a very fat check in the mail. Yet again BB will prove his abilities to earn a buck. Say what you want about the man but if there's anything he's good at it's making $$$. I hope SWA manages to get the bid. I wouldn't mind seeing RAH's bank account get a little padding.

eaglefly

According to SWA, the ops would be seperate and as Frontier shrinks and SWA expands, Frontier employees transfer to SWA. The seniority issue may be muted by then as it may be structured as an OFFER of transfer to SWA (most likely at the bottom of the seniority list). Considering the options (ncluding going with RAH), this may be the most desirable for Frontier pilots. The SWA pilots are a class act and I'm sure they'll treat the Frontier pilots far better then the APA treated TWA pilots.

Personally, I think the Frontier pilots are lucky to be able to consider this option and thankful it's not AMR knocking on their door.It IS more bad news for UAL which has one main gear in the grave and the other hydroplaning horribly. UAL's pilot is also hideously incompatent making even more probable he'll slide off the runway and slam into the terminal in a massive mushroom cloud. SWA has a fantastic chance of running UAL out of DEN and thus nudging its speed a little faster towards the concourse for the greatest chance of destruction.I'm sure Tilton made 2 calls immediately. The first was to his financial planner to insure his parachute is ready and rigged for maximum self-benefit and the second is to Osco to order another case of Pepto to get him thru the interim.

Ralphie

Although our plans may vary as we work our way through this process, we wanted to share with you our present plan as we envision it. Frontier would continue to operate independently and separately for a period of time with its Airbus aircraft and personnel. We do not intend to integrate the Airbus into our Boeing 737 fleet. As we are able to retire Airbus aircraft, we will add Boeing 737 aircraft. Over time, Frontier Employees would be hired into Southwest as needed to support our fleet growth and expanded operations. There are many details to be worked through, but we are confident that the effort will be worthwhile. We are also confident that our bid, if successful, will boost low-fare competition and benefit consumers in Denver and other cities our expanded network will serve.

crazyjaydawg

I think this is exactly what SWA wants. If they can keep F9 a subsidiary for a while, they will slowly offer 'preferential hiring' to the F9 guys and can therefore select those that fit there mold.

I think its good for the F9 guys because it's like being handed an interview at SWA instead of being force fed a paycut or risk having your flying outsourced...

Nevets

I would hope that SWAPA would try to get some fair integration of the pilots regardless of how this shakes out with SWA.

pjflyer

"Boost low-fare competition"! This is why mainline jobs continue to be lost (more at CAL soon). The blame game will soon shift from regionals who do the lost work of their manline partner's to LCC's that continue to eat up mainline jobs. Change you (unfortunately) have to believe in!

Oldfreightdawg

Or way better than TWA treated Ozark, or NWA treated Republic, or Delta treated Western, or North Central treated Huges Air West, or...