learav8r

Bingo!......

Gunter

This is an interesting subject for LUV followers.

Brad may have the secret motives that you point out. Not arguing that point.


But what has really been SWA's secret of success since the the '80s? How have they expanded and made profits in good times and bad? I believe it is partly and significantly due to a deferred compensation system that helped prop up their traditionally lower wages for flying narrowbody aircraft.

So now LUV is paying industry leading narrowbody pay. It is offset by an incredibly efficient network and employee to aircraft ratio. Little debt is also a huge factor.

But how long can the efficiency/debt advantage overcome the drag of an industry leading payscale? How high can this payscale go before new aircraft start getting financed? How will the cash flow currently spinning off from operations finance any dramatic changes (international, 787, etc.) that are envisioned by the pilot group?


Historically, SWA has had built in advantages (lower pay) that financed stability and growth. The culture helped keep people because they enjoyed the job despite lower pay. Everyone rallied against the enemy of evil corporate rivals (AA, UAL). I think that strategy was brilliant.

What we see now is a mandated shift in strategy due to wage growth. Brad, and others mind you, saw this change and don't know what to make of it. It is a big unknown.

chase

DH2WN,

Anyone who has been on the property since arriving earlier this year has shares of stock...yes, Brad & other 4 digit & many 5 digit numbers have many more shares or do they? I know of many senior pilots who have sold their shares or the vast majority....I know of many who have kept them....have you or anyone else asked Brad? It personally isn't any of my business but if you believe that fact makes a difference in whether his advice is worthy, that is certainly your right to require that before considering his thoughts as "worthy". For those casual readers, Jan 31, 2007, the original shares that are held by some which are worth the most will expire. Let me ask this question...if Brad or anyone else was to offer advice similar to Brad's after Jan 31, would that change your view of those opinions?

Market analysts on all of the financial shows have to show how much they have invested in the various stocks/funds they recommend or talk about...if the fundamentals are sound and the person speaking is a person of integrity, that piece of information is not relavent to me personally....it certainly may be to others....you brought it up as a valid concern, and now it is out there but after Jan 31 does Brad gain more credibility because his options are actually worth less now than mine (he got less than I did) and my views become less so because I have more stock options than he?

The case/point/theory must stand on its own merits in my view. I appreciate others may view it differently & certainly don't disparage someone for having a different view than mine, I'd just encourage the message to be the debatable point vs. the messenger in this case & in most cases. I think readers of airlinepilotcentral will benefit over time....

OscartheGrouch

DH2WN and learav8r,

Somehow your negativity towards Brad is amusing and indicative of our inability to screen applicants better. I am also in pretty much the same position as Brad with stock options that I would like to see valued at a higher level. I however see your position as well. I just prefer not to attack his motives with conspiracy theories. His experience as an airline consultant gives him a unique position that looks beyond his own paycheck. I have found his perspectives to be well founded on fact and analysis.

To attack the integrity of APC by implying the things you have about Brad is pathetic. By the way have you seen what has happened to SWA stock the last few days? Get ready to puke some more and engage in your conspiracy myths because some of the things Brad warned about might come true, and soon. Oh! and please try to look past your own paychecks and engage in some worthwhile dialog and enlighten us all instead of attacking those with a different view.

OscartheGrouch

By the way learav8r, the idea that getting elected to SWAPA makes one a great guy is laughable. The most knowledgeable and best person for a position with a union is rarely the one elected. They often don't want to even run for these positions because of who they would have to represent. I do think those that step forward though should be commended as long as they are doing it for the right reasons. I have my doubts about our newly elected SWAPA leadership.

chase

Oscar,

I agree with your thoughts about Brad or anyone else who puts together cogent thoughts on this crazy business we call airlines. I would take exception to your comment above and will simply say we have new blood that will be good for the Association and we have seasoned veterans who are returning, some to new positions of leadership that will go a long way to representing the pilots well during negotiations and continuing a professional relationship with management....tough line to walk at times but I for one am confident this group of individuals will represent us well....not meant to be argumentatively, just a different opinion my friend.

learav8r

GMAFB! This is not my first rodeo......cheap shot.

Bullsh!t. He wanted us to give back our productivity raise to push the stock up so he could cash out.

You have an opinion so do I. We don't have to agree.

But it looks like it is OK for you to attack me.....Yeah ok.

Whatever. Do some homework first......this is a forum. Everybody is entitled to their own opinion. I don't agree with yours or Brads. If you expect 5000 pilots to give back their negotiated raises so the stock price can go up so YOU can cash out you on drugs. Nice to see that you are looking out for the entire pilot group.

Probably see you at the next age 60 blitz too.......

DH2WN

I love it when guys say this because they are the ones who couldn't get hired at Delta, United, American, etc. in the 90s. The ones we wish we could throw back in the water but had to hire to fill the holes.

OscartheGrouch

Thank you for proving my point! Just as with your assumptions about Brad you have jumped without knowing any facts. I actually agreed with those who believed that giving back our raises was not necessary! Therefore your belief that I wanted to enrich myself at others expense is wrong. I also believe that Brad's suggestion was not meant to take from others.

Also your belief that I attacked you personally I disagree with. Its all about the message not the messenger. However I do believe that their are those here who really didn't want to be at SWA. I know, because I mistakenly helped a friend get on who has been nothing but a whiner, abuses the sick leave policy, and I suspect tried to get on the disability dole. If you truly wanted to be here I congratulate you on your success!

The last assumption that I would be at the Age 60 blitz also is indicative of something. You can figure it out on your own I am sure. BTW I have never been to any blitz and at 47 I don't intend to have to. However I would think that your comment means you agree with age discrimination and I don't.

Unless you have some insight to what is in Brad's heart (or others) try to limit the personal attacks and assumptions.

OscartheGrouch

DH,

Once again just like your fellow Brad basher no facts just assumptions and attacks. Insults are very effective don't you think? I will say again just as I did for learav8r, if you are at SWA because you wanted to be and weren't just chasing the $ congrats!

FYI I wanted to work for SWA since I was in college (81 grad). With my military background I had the qualifications to be hired by any of the above mentioned airlines. Who knows if I would have been hired because I never applied. I had squadron mates virtually ridiculing me for paying for my type rating. I then watched as they were hired at the above airlines and then furloughed for a few years (and in some cases multiple airlines) while I went to SWA. Even my wife questioned why I went to SWA at first but after the furloughs I looked pretty smart (credit the Lord). Of course I will take those comments from my wife when I can get them. Airline history of course has so far been good to SWA and I feel fortunate.

Also those same pilots you are disparaging by saying they are only filling the holes voted shortly after I arrived to eliminate the B scale and and drastically improved our 401k. Ask yourself which hole you are filling! I myself would vote to take a trip reduction if it meant keeping the company from furloughing any of our pilots. Would you?