I think they are trying to do the same thing that SWA people here in this forum have complained about: antiquated business model, outdated IT infrastructure, broken boarding system, etc. Clearly the leadership in place currently doesn't want to do anything about it, so why not support Elliott's attempt to make the company better?

 

agreed. The only thing SWA is doing is insulating itself even more than it was before.. poison pill.. electing another yes man to the board. They are denying the obvious as long as they can.

 

I wouldn’t be so sure about that. Elliott is going to call a special shareholder meeting right after the dismal Q2 results are posted and it is almost guaranteed that everyone will be voted out.

 

That was the point I was trying to make too... even if you prefer NB flying, the existence of a WB fleet on the same list will enhance your NB seniority. Nothing against SW, but just like AS one fleet and few retirements means the seniority math is pretty stark.

But in this industry there also comes a point where you need to settle in and enjoy what you've got, and not be chasing the next thing. When to set the brake is up to you.

 

Instutional investors know what is expected in earnings already. Almost every airline analyst that covers the industry knows. Just look it up. EPS of .51 cents a share(about 300 million). Half of what it was 2nd quarter of 2023. Come July 25th, GK will still be Chairman, BJ will be CEO and SWA will have made a small operating profit.

The board has been briefed already on what is coming on investors day. GK wouldn't have added a seat if the rest of the institutional investors didn't go along with it. GK has made north of 22 Billion in profits over his tenure. Through bankruptcies(remember those), recessions, COVID, got rid of the wright amendment, etc. Never was a friend of labor but then again tell me a airline CEO that was. His blind spot of operations and tech. For now, he has the backing of most of the investors. We'll see how it plays out.

 

We have a contract that protects us for the next 4.5 years. Elliott will be gone in 3 years and we have $11B in the bank. I am not terribly worried... though I have some seniority, so that helps. I can see the good and bad with Elliott, but I think overall, the pilot group will be relatively unaffected as we are protected by a contract that is airtight unless the company goes bankrupt, unlikely, or we agreee to concessions, also unlikely, in the next 3 years.

 

Everyone should listen to the latest SWAPA podcast on the Elliot issue.

 

Is there some rumor on your guy’s FB pages about someone in leadership leaving to SY?

 

Former VP of FO BW?

Ive heard that...

 

He returned to the line here I thought. He fell on his sword after the "clean kill" incident, can't say I blame him. Not really any path forward after 65 for him here, so I am guessing he took his toys and went somewhere else. Not really a bad move IMO.
I am also guessing that he is "management material" but had already poisoned the waters at SWA and wanted a fresh start. Bob was about as inspirational as a wet sock, but I will always admire him for quitting the VP gig when he did. I doubt this has anything to do with an impending merger, as Bob was thrown out of the cool kids club when he resigned.

Why any line pilot would ever what to work in the management pit of vipers is beyond me, but I am glad some do I guess. I would 10 times much rather pull a BG and fly 330 TFP in June and out-earn all of them with the exception of maybe the top 5 in the exec washroom. To each their own, though.