The AirTran Pilots' Windfall and SLI
12-20-2010 | 12:05 PM
#111
On Reserve
Joined: Feb 2007
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PropPiedmont
SWA can't park the aircraft, here is what SL6 says.
"The ratio of scheduled operational Southwest Airlines aircraft to total AirTran aircraft will not drop below the pre-transaction ratio of 3.61 to 1 (SWA to AirTran) during the period prior to complete pilot integration."
So SL6 counts all AirTran aircraft but only the operational SWA aircraft.
SWA can't park the aircraft, here is what SL6 says.
"The ratio of scheduled operational Southwest Airlines aircraft to total AirTran aircraft will not drop below the pre-transaction ratio of 3.61 to 1 (SWA to AirTran) during the period prior to complete pilot integration."
So SL6 counts all AirTran aircraft but only the operational SWA aircraft.
12-20-2010 | 12:52 PM
#112
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 224
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Wow, you're angry for no apparent reason. I don't think you understand what we're doing here.
We're not sacrificing any growth of any kind, just making sure the company doesn't grow AAI's cheaper work force at the expense of SWA's better compensated workforce during the period that the operations are fenced off from each other.
What's not being said here is that SWAPA also has an agreement with the company that the two operations must be combined within 2 years of closing the deal. The fence must last less than 2 years.
We're not sacrificing any growth of any kind, just making sure the company doesn't grow AAI's cheaper work force at the expense of SWA's better compensated workforce during the period that the operations are fenced off from each other.
What's not being said here is that SWAPA also has an agreement with the company that the two operations must be combined within 2 years of closing the deal. The fence must last less than 2 years.
Nope. Not angry. Sarcastic ? ... Absolutely. More smiley faces, would that help ?
I was trying to point out some implications of attempting to run the companies separately. Like USAir.
12-20-2010 | 01:26 PM
#113
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,207
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From: CA
Hi Carl,
But with AAI and SWA, the decisions the arbitrators will have to make are significantly simpler. No guessing on which "heavy" is more desireable. No guessing over the "better bases" issue.
20 year AAI Career expectation: 737 captain
20 year SWA Career expectation: 737 captain
Sure, there is a pay rate differential, but that can change contract to contract. Seniority, however, is forever.
But there is some similarity with the DAL/NWA situation. While SWA has a better pay rate, AAI has some fairly decent workrules and fairly good QoL protection and GREAT health insurance (far better than our "Plan N" for the same money) and a very nice defined contribution plan.
Heck, their schedule bidding closes on the 16th at 10am, and they had their results today by 3pm.
Nu
But with AAI and SWA, the decisions the arbitrators will have to make are significantly simpler. No guessing on which "heavy" is more desireable. No guessing over the "better bases" issue.
20 year AAI Career expectation: 737 captain
20 year SWA Career expectation: 737 captain
Sure, there is a pay rate differential, but that can change contract to contract. Seniority, however, is forever.
But there is some similarity with the DAL/NWA situation. While SWA has a better pay rate, AAI has some fairly decent workrules and fairly good QoL protection and GREAT health insurance (far better than our "Plan N" for the same money) and a very nice defined contribution plan.
Heck, their schedule bidding closes on the 16th at 10am, and they had their results today by 3pm.
Nu
Southern Air pilot career expectation: 747 Captain.
While they both will end up on the same equipment I find it very unbelievable that they have the same career expectations.
How stable is my company? When will I be able to retire and with how much? How many days off will I receive throughout my career? What are my work rules like? How will I be treated by management? I believe all these points are developing my career expectations.
I am in no way knocking the AT guys, they are a fine group that have always treated me great and I will welcome them at SWA. But, I would venture a guess that if they had a chance to swap our contract with theirs they would do it in a heartbeat. Of course their contract has strong points, as does everyone's. They bring a lot to the table on many fronts and they are a great fit in the SWA system which is why the acquisition is taking place.
The discussion is fruitless. We will end up in arbitration and someone else will decide the fate of both pilot groups. In the end everyone will share some portion of the pain. Welcome aboard guys and gals, you'll like it here.
01-01-2011 | 03:06 AM
#114
Line Holder
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 55
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Alpa will feed them to the wolves in the blink of an eye. Airtran will get more than they put in? Nope.
01-01-2011 | 10:49 AM
#116
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 127
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Anything can happen if both sides agree. For example, SWA contract states a two year fence. But it could be less or more if agreed by both sides.
Every acquisition is not the same. This one is going to work since AirTran long time ago based their culture from SWA.
Will it work? Time will tell.
Every acquisition is not the same. This one is going to work since AirTran long time ago based their culture from SWA.
Will it work? Time will tell.
01-01-2011 | 08:05 PM
#117
Line Holder
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 735
Likes: 26
ATN=Lorenzo
SWA=Herb
'nuff said?
01-02-2011 | 07:07 AM
#118
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 127
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Smokey, look back at the start of ValuJet and you will see that the business model was based on SWA and Delta. The culture was based on SWA. No arguments please, I was at ValuJet for several years.
Now you look at AirTran and there was a transformation to what it is today. Management put a huge knife in the back of the culture. The AirTran acquisition is still going to work. I will say this again, AirTran and its culture are the best fit with SWA. No other airline comes a close second.
Have a great year.
Now you look at AirTran and there was a transformation to what it is today. Management put a huge knife in the back of the culture. The AirTran acquisition is still going to work. I will say this again, AirTran and its culture are the best fit with SWA. No other airline comes a close second.
Have a great year.
01-02-2011 | 07:33 AM
#119
seeing the country...
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,015
Likes: 41
From: 73N A
The Valujet name was retired 13 years ago. So, if I read what you wrote correctly, it's been at least that long since you were there. Things have changed a lot - My friends say it's nothing like SWA.
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