coryk

Yea, that'll go away when they realize how awful commuting to reserve in SFO for the next decade will feel like. But THREE YEAR UPGRADES... cool story, bro.

Cldsfr79

Mechanics wanted 40% more pay than the industries highest pay. When they got to the money section they laid that out. So, SWA said if you want that, you have to give up your heavy checks. The mechanics union balked and started grounding planes. I don’t know who is running the show for the union but they are going to lose in court, you can’t just do illegal work acts to get what your want. Contracts don’t take years if you you have good leadership and don’t ask for unrealistic things. Get a clue.

And the Berkshire comment. Berkshire would shutdown every mechanic base and out source their labor before settling for a contract for half of what these guys are offering. Dont believe me, look at EJM. Nearly all their mechanics got terminated and business was outsourced when they tried to pull BS and ask for the moon. Buffet doesn’t screw around with his wallet. He wants his money and he will take it. These mechanics better pray buffet doesn’t take over.

LumberJack

There's A LOT more to the story than your one sided description of the mechanics.

Proximity

Based on your posting history, now we know exactly what is told to new hires in the 6 month 'leadership' class.

I'd be interested to see your perspective on Southwest Airlines labor relations once we start negotiating the pilot contract.

Sluggo_63

How is that any different than the 10 year FO taking the first available Captain spot in OAK? When do they realize that they will be commuting to reserve in OAK for the next decade?

RJSAviator76

Except they’re not...

Sluggo_63

Why not? And how do the laws of seniority not affect the SWA pilot, but do affect the UAL pilot?

“Commuting to SFO to sit reserve for a decade” is a very good reason why to sit in the right seat longer and wait to become more senior in the left. But, if a pilot at any airline decides to take the first available upgrade, they better be prepared for a sit at the bottom for a while.

RJSAviator76

1) Because UAL has way more choices of aircraft. We have 1. More people can leave one aircraft and push you down in yours. If you’re upgrading at 82% level on master seniority, you tell me.

2) I don’t know how often you run vacancy bids at UAL. At SWA, we can change bases monthly as our vacancy bids are run on a monthly basis. Until the music stops that is... LAX likely being the oddball in the relatively near future because that base will carry a 6-month lock because it’s all ETOPS.

3) In spite of our current overstaffing, we are overstaffed by our standards, but still probably grossly understaffed by yours. As a generality, at SWA, we’re off reserve once we reach about 90% in the seat. How does that compare at UAL?

Proximity

It's because the spread between CA domicile seniority at Southwest is way less then at United, something I've seen by examining domicile seniority at both airlines. It doesn't take much more seniority to hold say HOU, MDW, BWI, LAS, or DAL captain compared to OAK. Where as at United, ORD/IAH/DEN are way more senior then EWR/SFO.

RJS reasons above are the likely causes for this.

e6bpilot

This is fun. A questionable clickbait news story about BH buying SWA (not going to happen) sparks a thread that turns into a my dad can beat up your dad contest. Only on APC.
News flash - they are both great places to work that each has its advantages and disadvantages.

But please, continue...