Transition Award 13-9
 

Southwest will now (Sept 4th, 2013) transition Airtran pilots out of seniority! The transition award has been officially thrown out the window (among a few other things). Some junior MCO pilots who were awarded TBA717 are now jumping over some of us who wanted to go, but are going just because they are based in MCO on the 737, and SWA doesn't want to train them on the 717 and send more senior pilots to training. Make sense? I thought so! - BCD

That does suck but should come as no surprise. They didn't honor the transition agreement, they engaged in two-party talks behind our backs that were supposed to include ALPA, and now they're going to conveniently not honor the transition award. Hope you're enjoying the LUV bro.

From Side Letter 10:

D. Transition of Pilots from AirTran to Southwest:

1. AirTran pilots will transition to Southwest in scheduled groups, taking into consideration the operational and training needs of both Southwest and AirTran. Southwest will determine the timing, qualification and number of AirTran pilots needed for each scheduled group. ...

2. To the extent possible within seat, while facilitating staffing requirements during the transition period, the transition of pilots from AirTran to Southwest will be accomplished on a seniority bid process based upon AirTran seniority, ...

I agree wholeheartedly that they should accomplish a complete re-bid in light of changing circumstances, but to characterize this as not following the letter of the agreement ratified by all parties is disingenuous at best. The above language was inserted to enable flexibility. If the language was not satisfactory it shouldn't have been agreed to.

+1

I give you credit Shoelu for even replying to these posts. Arguing with someone who believes the earth is flat is pointless.

While SWA may be in contractual compliance, I certainly think seniority is implied for the transistion.

If it was meant to be by seniority only it could have easily said "by seniority only". That's not what it says.

The Flat Earth Society

If shoelu is feeling spunky tonight, there's an entire group of people he can take on! :)

No way I'm not taking on those guys! I'm more of a Flying Spaghetti Monster type of guy.

I agree, as I said in my original post. There should be a post "717's leaving the fleet" re-bid. It is the right thing to do. I also agree that SWA is in contractual compliance.

C'mon Whack, I'm sure you can spin this around to show how SWA is not going to;

Or could it be that once SHOWN THE CONTRACT, you scurry away?