Here's a reason why that actually would be bad for YOU Nonconcessions.

Assume SWA (and demand) do send/watch all three legacies into BK court, there will undoubtedly be two results. Lots of experienced/junior pilots on the street for quite a while driving down pilot wages, and ALPA/APA contracts drug through court for any last "givebacks" in the areas of productivity and pay.

There was a time where SWA's rates of pay and work rules were such that a serious "giveback" by the legacies of pensions and QOL provisions didn't really effect SWAPA's negotiations, but that time has passed. Any competitors gutting of current contracts will be counter productive to SWAPA's ultimate ability to negotiate more and/or even maintain what they already have.

So I hope all the companies can recover with contracts in place, because even if one of the legacies is forced to become more "competitive" that will indirectly effect the whole market for pilot labor for some time.

 

If history is any indicator SWA has typically been amongst the highest paid during bad times and lowest paid during good times. A lot of newer pilots have ignored this in recent years. The legacies have had a history of high peaks and low valleys. Graphically SWA has looked like a slow climb with a with an occasional plateau.

Some should probably take it easy though. This is unprecedented and not over yet, anything could happen. It’s also awful to think that the big 3 will undoubtedly see such pain. We all have friends there and pilots with 20+ years of experience will be lucky to have a job. We’re not all a bunch of rocket surgeons who planned all this out. Some of us came here just because we like Texas and whiskey. Getting a job is hard enough in good times. If American had called me first I’d most likely be over there now.

 

Gary Kelly summed it up in a video message to employees. "Cash is king". There is no substitute for having cash on hand during a crisis. It gives you breathing room and options. Having an investment grade credit rating is key. You can borrow on good terms.
Right now, SWA can survive intact without any revenue for several months. That's huge.

 

A real airline now? GFY. I'd bet my measly SWA FO paycheck that SWA comes out of this **** storm in a better position than wherever you're at.

Also, what's with all the exclamation points!!!!!

 

Is WN going to get into the cargo business.

 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/cathybu.../#61a095b857ae

 

GK in today's Newsline: "Well, I can’t predict when Customers will come back, but I guarantee you: No other airline will come close to beating Southwest Airlines."


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Delta has been the quintessential reference point for high wages within our industry for years -a professional goal for many. Looking at all of the recent trends one can’t help but recall the early glory days of PanAm and somehow parallel that to where we might be headed, though be it in different circumstances. I do not wish for any company to fail but I do think that SWA may very well become the point of reference for future contracts and management styles elsewhere. Feel free to disagree)

 

I sure as hell hope so. No PAX & no FAs.....NO DRAMA!

 

BOOYA WHACK!

I second your "sure as hell hope so"