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Southwest Pilots Announce Strike Preparation
The pilots' union at Southwest Airlines announced staffing and funding for a committee to prepare pilots and the flying public for a walkout, in case it cannot reach a contract deal with management in coming months. The new strike preparedness committee will work with outside consultants and others in the union, the Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association said in a news release. (news.airwise.com) More...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
having worked for an airline for many years (not in a pilots position however)I have talked to and worked with many,and also been around when strikes were an issue and passengers had to be taken care of..as with most pilots unions,the issues usually boil down to scheduling,seniority lists,rest periods,number of hours flown per month,bid sheets,layovers,benefits from stock or other options,sick pay and time off,and with southwest,probably the new international routes and jet blue personnel..we ar not all "woefully outside of the knowledge base" mr meiggs..basically pilots unions,whether its apa or alpa have the same issues at contract time,and wn is now in the "big leagues" so to speak...
Well people, if you think you pay too much for safe nearly risk less air transportation, go out and buy yourself a Sentient Jet Card with 25 flight hours, or better yet a quarter share of a Net Jets Learjet. Price out a new Gulfstream lately. Too expensive. Learn to fly yourself. Just think of all of the wonderful people you will meet at the Greyhound Station.
Well, since United pretty much flies everyplace Southwest goes, I guess those of us in the flying public, will simply choose another carrier. Remember, most of us regular travellers don't pay for our tickets anyway (our company/clients do), so the absence of one discount carrier won't really impact our weekly travel. Sorry unions, you just don't have the sway you think you do! Up with free market economics and down with socialist "workers revolutions"!
Unless you're employed at Southwest or with one who is, you're more than likely woefully outside of the knowledge base needed to understand let alone comment on the issues at hand.
and so the fun begins.........sorry to see this one........
The fact that this is occurring at SWA is unfortunate. The airline has demonstrated the image of "one big happy family" for quite some time but that seems to be diminishing. This strike talk, while it may be just that, nonetheless makes SWA more like the other airlines.