To all the AWA's on this board.
I am an 18 yr. PIT based Airbus F/O with US. I have been thru three megers and they are difficult at best. I won't sit here and discuss seniority, there is an ALPA policy and date of hire is not in the policy guide. We receive credit for years of service but other things matter also.
My real fear is that the merger, if it happens, will go like others. I for one am of the mindset that this
cannot happen again. I would propose things like a pilot exchange, while working on implementation. Some of our pilots, probably F/O's should attend new hire classes at AWA and fly the line under your certificate to see how things are done in the West. Likewise some of your pilots, probably more senior F/O's or check airman should fly out east and see how we do it.
I know both airlines have had their share of difficulties and bad press. When U was earning high praise in the late 90's, AWA had real service difficulties despite low costs. We can learn from each other.
The current management at U is just marking time and not committed to staying. If the current senior management at AWA has a vison of making a great company then they will find many will hearts and minds at U. We have suffered under caretaker management since Wolf and Ganghwal in 95. They counldn't sell us so they took their marbles and went home.
Some may say U folks are arrogant. I am sorry, I honestly doin't believe that. We were at one time perhaps, long ago. Three messy mergers, a failed merger attempt with United and two chapter 11 filings have taken the wind out of our sails in the bragging department. However we have a group of extremely talented and suprisingly motivated individuals working at U.
As for AWA, you folks must be doing something right. You have stood your ground more than any other carrier against the SWA machine. To co-exist with that company in PHX and LAS and overlap with them to the extent you do means that there is talent and dedication in your organization and we can learn from you on that.
I hope that if this merger does happen that the managment on both sides listens to the employees on how things should be done and doesnt run a top down cram down as US Airways has done in the past. We ruined two perfectly good airlines with cool northern efficiency.
I think that the employes of U are not going to stand by and let this happen again.
I for one will try to lose a "not invented here attitude" and welcome the people and ideas of AWA to whatever they decide to call this new airline and work to make it a success.
