Originally Posted by Wasatch Phantom (Post 876909)

LuvJockey,

This isn't meant to be flame bait, but seniority list integration by its very nature will cause some people to feel "they've been screwed".

When SWA bought Morris, they stapled the Morris pilots onto the bottom of the SWA list. IIRC they offered the same to Frontier pilots, who thought that method was unfair and declined.

As you may know Airtran is the former Valujet which started in 1993. So there are (assuming they're still there) some Airtran pilots whose date of hire is mid-nineties. I believe that a significant amount of SWA's growth was after 1993. So in a date-of-hire SLI there will be some pretty senior Airtran guys.

I believe that McCaskill-Bond would preclude a stapled seniority list.

SWA has a history of excellent employee relations with its pilots, but if one is a SWA first officer and sees several hundred Airtran pilots merged in senior to him (or her) I don't think that will make that person (and there will likely be a bunch of them) particularly happy.

Originally Posted by Bigflya (Post 876896)

I don't see the DOT or any Federal Agency putting up any resistance or forcing any changes to this deal. They pretty much bend over for SWA. They even include them somehow as beneficiaries in other airline mergers and slot swap dealings. Kelly pretty much said on CNBC that they are going after the NYC market with the slots in EWR from the CAL merger and AAI's presences in LGA. I also got a sense that it was all about timing on not announcing this merger until after the CAL deal closed. Bet CAL is feeling srewed by the feds right now. At what point do the feds feel that swa is no longer a "start-up" and does not need "help" competing in the market.

Originally Posted by carl p (Post 876929)

From the SWA Merger website:
Q: How will you integrate employees covered by separate Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA)?

A: During the period of separate operations, each of the work groups will continue to be governed by their applicable collective bargaining agreements. Employees not covered by a CBA will continue to be governed by their respective company’s practices and procedures. After operations are integrated into a single entity, Employees will be governed by the applicable Southwest Airlines CBA. Of course, complete integration will not occur overnight, and the period of transition may not be the same for every department. As the two airlines begin the transition to one integrated operation, there will likely be a need to seek interim agreements with various labor organizations to address transition issues that may arise. The agreement between Southwest and AirTran does not require Labor approval, and we are approaching the acquisition in compliance with our current CBAs. Integration of the two airlines will require fair and equitable integration of seniority lists (as stated in Allegheny-Mohawk), and negotiation of labor agreements applicable to the combined operation.


The other quotes regarding an opportunity to work for SWA and possible change of locations appears to refer to other employee groups not covered by a CBA.

Originally Posted by mesasurvivor (Post 876879)

First of all....let me qualify my statements by saying that I am a SWA F.O.

I heard the news this morning just like everybody else. I was shocked, but not surprised. Anyone who follows the industry knows that Southwest has been eyeing AirTran for a long time for alot of different reasons.

1. It looks like this acquisition will be a good deal for both airlines. Southwest could not force it's way into Atlanta and the deep south due to lack of available gates both at ATL and CLT. This will take care of the "Atlanta" issue once and for all.

2. As far as competition, DAL has nothing to worry about with Southwest purchasing Airtran. Yes, there will be increased competition in ATL because of the greatly expanded route map that Southwest brings to the table, but Delta is a very strong competitor & both airlines can expect to reap benefits of increased passenger flow due to increased fare competition (Southwest effect). Nobody is going to win....nobody is going to lose. Everyone is going to be busier!

3. The Airtran pilots and employees will negotiate (just like the Delta/NWA guys and United/Continental) SLI agreements and be welcomed into the Southwest family. This process (like EXACTLY every other SLI), will not make everybody happy on either side, it will end up being fair just like the DL/NWS and forecasted US/CO SLI's) I believe that our new AirTran folks will quickly come to realize how nice it is to work for a company that values it's employees and treats them well. They will be covered by a CBA & not have to fight for years for a fair deal from their management.

4. As far as pilots go (can't speak for F.A.'s), I believe that it is a win/win for both groups. Everyone wants growth & this acquisition gives opportunities for that growth to occur.

5. Pilot wages....the AirTran folks will now have a contract (SWAPA) that provides pay greater than their comrades across the ramp at DL and benefits that far exceed what they care currently making.

6. RJ's....as our contract does not permit domestic regional jet operations, the Skywest agreement will be terminated within the two year window. No more worrying about losing your growth opportunities at mainline to an RJ operator.

7. ALPA...from what my friends over a AirTran have told me, they finally voted in ALPA because their own union had been unable to get an agreement out of their company and they needed additional resources. I think that most Southwest pilots would agree (since many came from ALPA carriers) that we want absolutely nothing to do with ALPA & that most of the AirTran folks would concur with that thought as well. Our contract negotiations with SWA are difficult at times, but we keep our differences in house, we don't walk picket lines (don't need to) and we NEVER trash our companies image to try to extort more money. We learned early on that when SWA thrives, we thrive. A healthy airlines means growth and more financial rewards for everybody. No use trying to kill the golden goose.

I guess that in the end, it is always hard to accept change. We all fear the unknown. I think that in this case, that fear will prove to be unfounded.

AirTran is an excellent company (I have made some pretty good money investing in both AirTran and years ago.....ValuJet). Their operating philosophy is very close to Southwests' and I don't think you will see any culture clashes between the two groups.

Both companies have been financially succesful in an era where almost EVERY one of it's competitors (Delta, Northwest, United, USAirways, etc. etc.) and ESPECIALLY their employees went through the meat grinder of bankruptcy.

The AirTran pilots are going to finally reap the financial benefits of their hard work.

The Southwest pilots welcome you to the Southwest Family!

Originally Posted by LuvJockey (Post 876900)

Now that's funny. I literally laughed out loud. I can see a bunch of Delta moderators sending instant messages back and forth and coming to the conclusion that it was a fair statement. You Delta guys crack me up.

I guess that means that I can freely refer to Delta airline as a junk airline now - are we going by credit rating?

Originally Posted by Gear Down (Post 876935)

I would not want to be a new hire (or still under probation) at AT. Plan on going back to Obama Care and the soup line looking for a job.

Originally Posted by MILUAL (Post 876885)

Inside track... Nope, Just living the dream. I luv it when people can't learn from others experiences. They think it will be different for them. I just realized why you are wishfully thinking everything will be rosy. 737 RIGHT seat. Get comfortable son, it'll be a while......... 2 words "McCaskill-Bond"....