The federal which resulted from AA/TWA catastrophe would specifically forbid throwing any labor group under the bus just because they aren't part of the "in crowd".

SAPA might not be relevant to the NMB, but the pilot groups must be integrated in an equitable manner (Aleghany Mohawk IIRC). Allowing the two alpa groups to carve up the pie would violate that law, and the NMB can't do that.

 

I'm not saying that we would be carved up, just that we won't have the backing we would with representation. I know representation isn't perfect but none is worse when integrating. The fact is we would be on the outside looking in when it comes to the NMB.

BTW, equitable is an arguable position, just look at SWA and AT. They got carved up pretty good with representation, if they had none they probably would have been stapled.

 

True, but they didn't have much leverage anyway - wasn't it 30% or so had active apps in with Southwest anyway?

 

That's irrelevant; I’m sure they also had their apps in at UPS, FedEx and several others. I don’t remember a judge ever using that to justify a crappy SLI. If the AirTran pilots had the option to reject the merger I guarantee they would have. AirTran was a very profitable airline that just passed a new TA and in 2010 they had their most profitable year ever while competing against the two most competitive airlines in the US (Delta in ATL and Southwest in MCO and BWI). The fact is Southwest needed AirTran more than AirTran needed Southwest. Reasons? There are many but two of them being that AirTran was seriously hurting SW in BWI and MCO and they needed AirTran's NE shuttle and international operations.


IMO the AirTran pilots got raped.

 

They sure did...just didn't do themselves any favors. They got the shaft.

 

...btw, you need to change your avatar back. Do it for me!! LoL

 

Didn't know my last Anna pic was so popular, I guess I need to take a pole next time I change it. BTW, if you come across a sexy tennis pic of her PM me the link and I'll sport it.

As for this one, I wonder how long they'll let me keep it up.

Aaaannnnnnnaaaaaa!

 

As a SkyWest employee, I'd have to say that my subjecive opinion is as such:


2005:
Skywest pilots: I'm happy to do what it takes to get the job done. We have better than average work rules and lots of growth so things are pretty good. I wish I had some cool metro stories though

Expressjet pilots: I'm gonna be a Continental Pilot someday

ASA pilots: Whatever, we're not the best, not the worst. This sure beats ERAU flight instructing, I can't wait til my friends back in Daytona/allATPs see me in this uniform



2008
SkyWest: We're not really like any other regional out there. I hope my upgrade is coming soon... they said I'd upgrade in 2 years... Has anybody seen Uncle Jerry lately? Who is this Chip guy?

Expressjet: Expressjet Rocks! I mean the ERJ is basically the space shuttle and screw continental, I'd wouldn't take a job from them even if they begged me.

ASA: (Same as 2005) and btw, who are these guys from Salt Lake who think they don't work for a regional?


Present Day
SkyWest: This airline just another regional now... but its still better than your regional

Expressjet: I'm kinda embarassed we were almost insolvent there a while back... we'll just pretend that didn't happen. Secretly I know I'm better than other pilots, but these ASA guys are okay.... except maybe those senior guys

ASA: Whatever, just give me my 1000 and let me leave already

 

Dang funny and true. Best post I have seen in a long, long time. A regional is a regional. Shine your belt buckles all you want. You are still a regional/contract pilot if you do not own the routes you fly. Keep up the good work.

 

MatchPoint, you are a true gentleman and personal hero of mine.