Just one person's opinion, but you probably don't want this. If it comes down to a furlough, the company you'll return to rarely resembles the one you left except possibly in the eyes of the very senior unaffected pilots. Just another one of those 'business realities' that have been spoken of so often lately. Best of luck whatever happens.

Disclaimer: I'm a somewhat junior-ish SWA FO

Is it out of bounds to say that for the vast majority of FO's at F9, a low seniority number at SWA combined with a Denver fence and F9 longevity wouldn't be a windfall?

I know that money isn't everything and it's a bummer to see your ship sunk, but honestly, for the F9 FO's, this sounds like a pretty good scenario if they keep some Denver fences in place.

I'm sure most the F9 FO's were happy there, but how many would have jumped to SWA if they'd been hired and given a fair chance at a Denver base?

I wasn't around when SWA stapled Morris and Muse, but all those guys are Captains now and you can't tell them from anyone else. They don't sit around and ***** about the raw deal they got. We just go to work together and get the job done.

Dont take this the wrong way but if this is an acquisition, wouldn't Frontier guys automatically get stapled to the bottom of the list? Also, I don't see how the most junior guy at SWA who bought a type rating could possibly be bumped in seniority. Don't get me wrong Frontier is a great place but without SWA they probably would end up with Republic. I guess you have to go with the better company in SWA even if it means having a job.

You may be surprised to hear, there are many F9 pilots who would prefer to go with Republic. There is a solid chance their jobs will remain intact with republic. People are crying about pay cuts, but Republic does not have a payscale for the airbus and the F9 rates would be maintained. The airbus will not be traded for 190s like many speculate. They serve markets the 190 would not do as well in. The potential is there for growth if you go with republic. The potential is there for a furlough at southwest, and given swa is already overstaffed, im guessing it won't fair well for most F9 guys/gals. However, if F9 gets a fair integration by their standards with swa, they'd be crazy not to take it.

This is my point also. I have been around many years and have seen with my own eyes big airlines shutting small ones down. Republic has a plan to grow F9. I personally believe that F9 guys would end up in a much better position in the long term to be bought by Republic.

Wow good points, I never thought of it in that respect. Yeah swa is overstaffed but they have never furloughed from what I understand. However, if there is no established payscale on the bus and Republic takes over then maybe things could go better over there. Why did I get into this business is the real question I'm asking now, haha. Thanks for the insight.

And not only for the purpose of flight crews. If southwest buys them the entire back office will loose their jobs. RAH does not have people to sell tickets or handle customer situations directly. RAH will need that infrastructure, SWA will not.

As for Herkulesdrvr question about why he got in this business. I have been in many other businesses and its really no different. There is undercutting and job losses and labor groups battling. The biggest difference I find in this business is our ability to get this information. The web has taken it too a whole other level but we are also a group of well educated, motivated and strong willed professionals. We are looking out for ourselves and our futures and trying to steer that the best we can. Many of us are also trying to bring this profession back to a level it once was and almost unrealistically so. Keep in mind the Southwest pilot group has helped to bring things back but even though their wages are great compared to many others. Many (all) others have had to come down below those wages to compete with that company. How easily we forget.

I remember another company that could once chant that mantra... When management needs to.. they will.. bet your bottom dollar on it.

Just curious, what will happen to Lynx if and when SWA buys 'a whole different animal'?

My guess is it will be placed out in front of the supermarket with a sign that reads "Free Kittens"...

Nu