I mean no disrespect but take JetBlue for example. If JetBlue had been AT this would be an instant upgrade in nearly every imaginable way. That is what I was suggesting. Again, I meant no disrespect.

Okay thanks. I'm not sure what exactly you mean about "If JBA was AirTran this would have been an instant upgrade in every imaginable way"?

Speaking of, if I was a JBA pilot I'd be scrambling to get a union in PROMPTLY give the consolidation craze going on.

You aren't very in tune with the goings on of Jetblue but suffice it to say half of our pilots seem to think management is going to take care of us in the likely event we are forced into a scenario such as yours. Reality dictates otherwise and based on the "contract" half of our pilots signed Jetblue will simply allow us to be fired.
As for the original comment SWA's pay, benefits, retirement and overall package is far superior to ours and hence many of our pilots sentiments regarding, even a less than fair, integration into SWA.

You might want to do a little more research. It is less then flattering. I know AAI guys especially wackadoodle will come on and talk future orders. Well we just saw how qick those can change. AAI position may have been ok at the moment but its future wasnt looking so hot.

Why what did alpa do for you.

So how's the future looking at SWA???? Deliveries deferred. Fleet size remaining flat. No growth in near future (beyond the AT acquisition). A reservation system which is the most outdated in the industry. Inability to get their act together for international flying for 2 or more years. Aging aircraft issues. Poor baggage handling stats. Highest absenteeism in the industry. Botched pilot SLI. Hmmmm.....

AirTran, on the other hand, has much better technology than SWA and has been doing international for several years. International expansion was just ramping up when SWA decided to eliminate a competitor by buying a well positioned, profitable major airline. And let's not forget who was the #1 Airline for past 2 years in the Airline Quality Ratings. SWA got a great airline, with great pilots, at a great price. Smart business move. Now, if they could just get their own house in order.

HOW DARE YOU SPEAK ILL of the golden child!;)

Blakman, I don't think any SWA dudes thought we were doing you a favor. Let's be real, neither pilot group had much say in the matter. I'm not saying AT couldn't have survived, but consolidation has been the name of the game for the last decade...what do you think happens to the smaller fish, even if they're healthy?

Regardless: previous growth is not an indicator of future profit/survive-ability.

For example: My brother was hired at American in 89 and was a Capt in only 4 years...and it's been a hard, slow, sometimes backwards slide since. History is full of companies who's major reason for bankruptcy was expansion. How's your history check goin' now?

So: plans for expansion are by themselves no indicator of success.

The bottom line is, the AT board saw more value in cashing out than continuing operations. Why?

Maybe they saw the price of oil going up and realized their 717's don't compete as well at higher oil prices?

Maybe they saw the AT pilots strike vote and realized their days of labor cost advantages were over?

I don't know the answer, but they voted with their pocketbooks. Blame them.

Sherpa,

So how is the future of YOUR SWA looking? Adjustments and changes take place based on an ever changing economic environment. Are the recent deferrals part of some envisioned conspiracy to disenfranchise the AT pilots? I personally don't think so but since you seem to have it all figured out.........:confused:

I will be the first to admit that we were/are jumping over dollar bills to get at pennies. I am personally embarrassed and am saying so publicly. Our reservation systems needs many things including replacement and the sooner the better. Now that we are the same company, I hope that those who have the expertise at AT will come forward and help ALL of us out. We are currently involved in fixing the problems and ask that everybody come onboard. Your poor mouthing SWA and chest thumping about how great AT WAS are tiresome. I know you are disappointed on how the SLI was resolved. If there is something positive you can contribute please do. Otherwise, I will ask the same question as I did when I started this thread. WILL you work for SWA? Or will you be the Whaaaaamaster's little evil twin. I have seen your posts and believe you are willing to pull your weight. If I am wrong than please go somewhere else. As I have said before, IT is really that simple.

The Oscar

I am not speaking in reference to the purchase alone. I am speaking in reference to what I've seen with my own eyes. Some, and I say SOME, of the SWA folks have been acting like SWA did AT a huge favor by purchasing them and that they should be happy to work for SWA as if they $h!t rose pedals. If SWA is all about LUV like the preach so often, then they should welcome the AT guys with open arms, not anguish and conceit. That's all.

While I do agree that present position has no relevance on future operations and growth, you proved my main point when you used the analogy regarding the big healthy fish. And yes, consolidation is the new thing these days.

The history check is still going well and again, you as well as every other guy, seem to bring in other situations and airlines into the mix. I am speaking specifically about the SWA/AT acquisition and etc.

I do somewhat blame the board for approving the acquisition because they knew just as well as anyone else that it was a huge money gain for them. It wasn't about sticking to their company and making it profitable. It was about ME ME ME and how much money am I going to cash out because of it. If you don't believe me, look at the percentage of profit that the whole AT board made in contrast to every other CEO and board of other airlines. It's astonishing, so yes I do blame the board but that's beside the point at this moment.

As to your other two points about the oil and the strike, that's a very good question and I'm sure that a lot of AT guys/gals are still in question of that.