When you’re blatantly disrespected and the environment is incredibly hostile, it makes sense to fly on the competition. Reports that Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan flew on American Airlines in first class certainly make sense to me.
Southwest CEO Bob Jordan Flew First Class on American Airlines. So What?
As noted by View From The Wing, Jordan appeared to fly home to Dallas on American Airlines after a hostile meeting with Southwest pilots in Baltimore. Pilots had taken part in a company rally but when Jordan showed up to speak, pilots walked out on him. #solidarity
Instead of taking Southwest back to Dallas Love (DAL), Jordan and his wife reportedly flew American Airlines first class to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW):
— Robbie V (@voorheesrob) February 11, 2023
I’m no fan of Bob Jordan, but I’m also no fan of disrespectful union tactics, which sow the seeds of animosity and often seem to sink to an unnecessary vitriolic level. Spare me the union rhetoric about how pilots deserve a new contract and warned Southwest Airlines about the meltdown. I’ll stipulate to that. But just like little girls heckling the President when he is speaking, walking out on your boss is not conducive to reaching a new contact.
No one wins when there is no trust on either side. I understand why the pilots have little confidence in Jordan right now, but constructive dialogue will produce better results than a petulant show of immaturity. The CEO traveled to Baltimore to speak to pilots (and all work groups): they should have listened and offered their view.
After such disrespect, I would not want to fly on Southwest either – who knows how a pilot wearing a goofy flag tie will try to make a fool out of you. Especially since his wife was along, flying home on American makes sense (and why not in first class?)
I’m on team Jordan this time.
CONCLUSION
I do not blame the Southwest Airlines CEO for flying home on American Airlines with his wife after the rude reception he received from Southwest pilots. Unions are going to do what unions are going to do: it’s all part of the pageantry, but I certainly wish this was not so.
If Jordan cannot quickly regain trust from the December meltdown, he needs to go. But we cannot reach that determination until he actually has a chance to sit down with pilots and talk over open issues at a high-level. This was a great missed opportunity, even at a company rally.
Was it wrong that the Southwest CEO flew American Airlines home when he could have taken Southwest on the same route?
I agree with you about how petty the pilots were to walk out before they even talked to him, but it also shows a bad image to me that he flies back first class on another airline. Why look like the spoiled CEO on your way back? Why not just go business class or even main cabin? Preferably business class so he and his wife have nice seats (they can afford it) without sending the message of pampered CEO going back first class?
Did he fly a wide body? If not, first and business really are premium economy. Either way, if I was an airline CEO I would constantly fly competitors. Knowledge is power.
are premium economy on most planes*
Management “disrespects” their employees by refusing to negotiate in good faith and intentionally dragging out contract negotiations over many years while recently rewarding themselves with $10Million in bonuses.
Wow 10 million?
Can you tell me where find that info??
SEC filings
So true , and CSAs will receive a 2% ($991) in a few weeks
Exactly, management treats employee like garbage.
They walked out because they refuse to deal with him. They will deal with someone else or sink the company to the best of their ability.
Flying business wouldn’t have changed the narrative at all. For most people that usually fly economy, business vs first is a distinction without a difference.
You don’t know what you’re talking about. The company’s negotiating team has intentionally stalled negotiations, dragging them out for 3 years without an end in sight. The CEO, who could hurry negotiations along if it was what he wanted, has been conspicuously absent from the process.
Should’ve made him spend a couple nights in the airport first then told him the delay was weather-related.
Nobody cares what you think Matt
Especially John Smith, who took the time to comment!
Oh, what now, Johnny boy?
nathew take the bus
bob jordan if you could not deal with the heat get out of the kitchen
What heat? The pilots walked out without uttering a word so where’s the heat? I fly Southwest everywhere I go and so does my family but I want pilots flying to have the professional approach not a child’s approach when they will be flying me and my family at 38,000 feet in the air. What are they going to do in the cockpit, walkout when they don’t get their way? Their opinions should be made towards the Damm board of directors anyway, not just the CEO.
I remember how the union destroyed Eastern Airlines.
Personally, I think this story is overblown and given too much emphasis on the fact that there are poor labor relations with the pilots. There is no way the thought went through his mind that ” I am not going to fly my own airline [WN] because the pilots hate me.” That just is absurd and an insult to all pilots at all airlines. It’s not like they would make the ride more turbulent or spit in his food/drink. As an CEO, I’m sure he would use the time to actually chat with the crew or just let them know he is listening if he flew Southwest, despite whatever is happening with negations.
My guess on why he took American is because of schedule, did not want to bump off a fare paying passenger, which is quite admirable and I think Doug Parker did that to fly Southwest one time. It even could be that DFW is closer to his home? Schedule wise, WN has flights for BWIDAL on Thursdays at 6:35 am, 10:25 am, 1:00 pm, 4:55 pm and 6:55 pm. American just as three flights at 6:35 am, 3:17 pm, 7:05 pm. My guess is that he was on the 3:17 pm flight as the 6:35 and 7:05 pm flights match up within minutes of Southwest flights. For someone as busy as a CEO, time matters and I’m sure he did not want to just wait around at the airport wasting time.
+1. I don’t fault Jordan for this. Most of the airline execs have status somewhere besides their own airline. Kirby has lifetime status on AA. If I were Kirby, I would fly AA, why not? You need a break from the people you’re surrounded by all of the time. What I do fault Jordan and Kelly for is being nothing like Herb–RIP to the one of the greatest to ever do it.
20 Reasons Why Herb Kelleher Was One Of The Most Beloved Leaders Of Our Time https://www.forbes.com/sites/kevinandjackiefreiberg/2019/01/04/20-reasons-why-herb-kelleher-was-one-of-the-most-beloved-leaders-of-our-time/
I see the reference to ‘little girls’. I imagine this is regarding MTG and Boebert, but is Buttigieg part of that, too? TLDR: This diversity hire is NOT working out.
On Feb. 3, a train with 50+ cars carrying hazardous chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. The deadly chemicals produced a 200+ mile toxic rain cloud, polluted the water source of at least 5MM people and killed many animals–with many more sick. In a speech yesterday to the NACo Buttigieg made no mention of the massive ecological disaster there, plus made no mention of other derailments in other states (there have been at least three big train derailments in the past two weeks). He did find the time to say that there are too many white people who work in construction, and joke about spy balloons:
“It couldn’t be a more exciting time for transportation,” Buttigieg, 41, said. “It’s had its challenges. I mean, if you look at what the American transportation systems have faced in the last two or three years partly because of the pandemic, we’ve faced issues from container shipping to airline cancellations…now we got balloons,” the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana joked.
“Nobody thinks this is funny,” Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) raged in a tweet Monday. Hawley has called for an investigation into what he calls the Biden administration’s “baffling response” to a Chinese spy balloon that floated over the US two weeks ago.
“He jokes about balloons while ignoring East Palestine, OH. We deserve better than this,” former Ohio state senator and Democrat Nina Turner also fumed in a tweet.
Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) swiftly slammed the ex-Indiana mayor for focusing on race “as toxic chemicals are spewing out in East Palestine. Pete Buttigieg has finally emerged today. Not a single comment about the train crash in Ohio. Instead, he bemoaned the whiteness of the construction industry. It’s a miracle that this country is able to function at all under this regime,” Boebert seethed in a tweet.
Later last night, he finally made a statement on Twitter–ten days later..
Ten days?? This administration is beyond (no statement from Biden either). With regards to Pete, I guess no matter how many disasters that happen on your watch anyone asking you for being held accountable to your job is a homophobe. Transportation is falling apart. “Little girls” must be the problem.
What about the toxic chemicals coming from Bobo’s mouth?
How about Trumps deregulation of rail car brakes that is responsible for the train crash?
How about the multiple Chinese spy balloons that flew over the US during trumps term that he didn’t even know about?
It’s a miracle Bobo can even get dressed by herself based on how many times it took her to pass her GED test.
The face of the GOP – George Santos is a drag queen who’s whole life is a lie.
MTG said we should have shot down the balloon because United 93 didn’t kill anyone on the ground.
We agree on insane Santos. When it comes to Lauren and Marjorie, I find they are often more right than not. Far right….or right so far? I don’t follow them closely, but much of what I have heard makes sense.
As far as Trump’s handling of spy balloons, the initial reporting was that the military withheld the information from him. That’s treason. When it comes to Trump, I am not one of those people who worship his feet. I did not vote for him in 2016. I do think we’d be in a way better spot as a country with the economy, inflation, Ukraine, Russia, China, and countless other issues if he was president now versus Biden.
Either way, I am not one to trust official stories, especially initially..(Official Secrets was a great true story btw-https://www.netflix.com/title/81052553)..so I’m not convinced that deregulation of rail car brakes is the real reason for the crash(es) at this time. It is certainly interesting how everything is blamed on Trump..literally everything. Either way, if so important to Biden and Pete to fix the deregulation of rail car brakes, then do it. They could have made a statement regarding that ten days ago.
Regardless, diversity hires do not seem to work. Take South Africa, for example. Their entire infra is struggling as roads, rail and ports are all in disarray. Sounds like here, but add in aviation. This is what happens when you put diversity and inclusion ahead of talent.
As far as the gruesome twosome.. I prefer politicians that are able to graduate high school
When you dismantle safeguards you should get the blame when things go wrong later on. Who cares if they make a statement? Would a statement clean up all the chemicals? Maybe they should offer thoughts and prayers like when a bunch of 6 year olds get slaughtered like GOP leaders do.
Trump would be better for the economy? Laughable. Thank you PRESIDENT BIDEN for the lowest unemployment numbers since before the moon landing. But as we all know, good news for America is bad news for the GOP.
I care if they make a statement. It’s called leadership. Furthermore, I don’t think you understand the severity of what has happened in Ohio. It’s way worse than originally thought, affecting many states/rivers, if animals died instantly what is going to happen to humans in 5/10/20 years? It’s bad, really bad. Might want to look into it.
Don’t the unemployment numbers include jobs that were brought back/people who went back to work? Either way, the employment numbers have always been bull, and seemingly always will be. I give little credence to any government figures, as should you.
My biggest issue with Trump is Operation Warp Speed which poisoned loved ones, family, friends, and even foes. I understand that many on the right believe that without OWS Fauci and crew would have locked down as much of the country as they could–for years–while waiting for “safe” vaccine development instead of the fast timeline that occurred. Sounds plausible. Also, I despite the talk from Trump being the father of the vaccine et al. It’s all crazy at this point.
But yeah, economically people were doing way better under Trump. Biden voters have lost huge chunks of their 401k’s. They didn’t under Trump.
Also, thanks for bringing up the fake moon landing. Crazy how much the public has been lied to, gaslight, and misled about SO much. The moon landing is something else people should look into. As far as thoughts and prayers, I think they work. Everything is energy.
despise*. Being able to fix errors on comments would be amazingg.
Billy Bob, Trying to have a productive discussion with someone who doesn’t understand basic economics is difficult, but attempting that same discussion with someone who believes the moon landing was faked, is literally impossible.
The moon landing was 100% faked. Anyone can figure that out.
NTSB confirms Trump isn’t responsible for the Ohio train crash:
While it is true that in 2018 the Department of Transportation (DOT) withdrew a proposed rule requiring trains carrying certain dangerous chemicals to use electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP) brakes, this rule would not have applied to the train that derailed in East Palestine on February 3.
In addressing the train derailment on Tuesday, Buttigieg claimed, “We’re constrained by law on some areas of rail regulation,” and cited “the braking rule withdrawn by the Trump administration in 2018 because of a law passed by Congress in 2015.”
Buttigieg’s assertion, however, is incorrect.
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chair Jennifer Homendy announced on Thursday that if this particular rule were to have gone into effect, the mandate would have applied only to trains classified as high-hazard flammable trains.
“This means even if the rule had gone into effect, this train wouldn’t have had ECP brakes,” Homendy said, and she suggested that anyone who says otherwise is “spreading misinformation.”
No Thank You, for your political views on an airline/hospitality blog. There are other spaces to rant on & on & on & on & on & on & on & on …
Things we all enjoy thanks to union members walking out on negotiations, literally the only leverage employees have.
1 The end of child labor
2 Minimum wage
3 Paid vacations
4 Employer compensated health care
5 Pensions
6 Safety conditions
7 Weekends
8 Sick leave
9 Overtime
10 Unemployment benefits
I could go on and on and on, I didn’t even get to parental leave, etc. Corporations are on this earth to make money for owners (mostly stock holders) and they will not willingly hand over anything they are not absolutely forced to. To suggest that the Southwest pilots should be courteous and polite while they ask for what they want is disingenuous and you know it is. Shame on you for treating your readers like we are stupid. And conflating workers demanding better pay and conditions with an absolute joke of a human being like Lauren Boebert is a laugh. Again, shame on you.
Unions have outlived their usefulness, now, all they are, are bullies and thugs, believing they are “owed” something. Did they do all you say, don’t know, maybe they did. I will agree, at one time, they did have a reason to exist, yes, I am sure there were times 100’s of years ago, that working conditions existed that were horrid and downright dangerous, I do not believe in any way shape or form, those conditions still exist. Are there bad managers, bad supervisors, I am sure there are, then those people, individually, need to be dealt with, not trying to tear down the whole company. Owners, bosses, leadership understand that a happy employee is a successful employee. And all those “perks” you say, unions helped get, exist, so, that “union influence” isn’t needed anymore. I have some of the most disgusting, vile, inhuman acts performed by union members, all in the belief that a job or that job is their right. A job is not a right it is a privilege. And those union members have hurt or killed and caused massive damage, and then all pat themselves on the back and high five, it’s disgusting.
If the pilots, or any other union are as honorable as you say, or any other union, then have them sit down like grown adults, instead of petulant children, and talk, discuss, argue, bicker, and work things out like rational people. If, and I don’t know if it is true, that the pilots say that has been issues for years, then maybe haven’t been as adamant as they say they have, I don’t know.
One phrase that has always made me laugh is “collective bargaining”, hmmm, kind of has a “collective “Communist” sound to it. And while private sector unions shouldn’t exist, public sector unions is laughable and should never have existed in the first place.
Now, one reason I know about a job, what I am required to do, or what I am paid, is from an interview, where I find out, I ask questions, and if the job or pay is not satisfactory, I don’t take it, and if I start and it is not to my liking or I despise it, I find another job, it’s simple, don’t tell me it’s impossible, I have done it a thousand times. Never worked for a union, never will. I have however worked at a place where there were unions, and as just one example, one person was caught sleeping seven different times, and they filed a grievance and got their job back, each time, unbelievable, truly unbelievable. If you are truly as hard working and conscientious as most union members try to prove to me that they are, then you don’t need an “organization” or should I say “family” behind you. All I need is one, just one good reason in this day and age why I need a union, just one, but it has to be a good one.
While you can choose to not be a member of a union as an airline pilot.you are forced to give them your money by RLA. So in essence you must be a union member at least financially per federal regulation.. I sense you dont work in this particular industry, if you want to learn something about being an airline pilot post-deregulation I suggest you read the book “flying the line.” This career is not like being a union steel worker. Completely different set of laws governing contract negotiations and what is and is not legal. Criticizing pilots without at least a working knowledge of this landscape adds zero value and simply reveals ones ignorance.
My first question is why as a CEO you would fly to a destination that is holding a union rally? I understand if the rally is going on outside the front doors of your headquarters but to fly someplace and expect to confront protestors during a rally never leads to anything productive. Then there’s the laws pertaining to the railway labor act. The local participating pilot can’t speak on behalf of the entire group, unless they’re a negotiating member of the union. And even then there’s rules. So what did he expect??! To me shows lack of common sense. And why being your wife to this event?? All of it more strange behavior from a CEO that doesn’t seem to want to admit to doing a poor job over seeing the running of the company for which he is in charge.
At least he showed up to something, seeing he couldn’t make it to Capitol Hill.
It wasn’t a union rally. It was a company presented employee rally where execs give the “Message to the Field” and such. They usually do so in 4-5 major bases around the country, sometimes in years past at a fun venue like on an aircraft carrier or renting out a baseball field. They rented out Stone Mountain for the first one in Atlanta including AirTran years ago.
It’s usually a big deal for employees… traveling in groups from their cities, making team t-shirts, etc. Some people go for that I guess. I think it resembles something else….
It was a rally for all employees, the pilots were attendance and walked out when Jordan started speaking. The rally was held the day before the senate hearing to discuss the Christmas meltdown, which Bob couldn’t attend due to conflict. During the hearing, the Chair made sure that Watterson knew they would have made arrangements for Jordan to attend. Unfortunately, I don’t believe Jordan could respond to questioning as well as Andrew. That said, the CEO should have been there and it was blatantly disrespectful to employees and customers that he failed to appear. Negotiations should have been completed long ago. Period.
Jordan should have been gone in the immediate wake of the December fiasco. I realize it’s not the “Southwest way” to change CEOs after a matter of months, but the years upon years of management failures that led to the conditions for the meltdown are justification enough for a prominent head to roll.
Love the shade on MTG!
Back on topic… How do execs at ULCCs travel? It seems like Allegiant, Spirit, and Frontier wouldn’t expect their employees to be beholden to them at a minimum because of their limited schedule. Southwest is a little different, but it doesn’t seem outrageous that execs would fly in premium cabins on network carriers. If I was expected to only travel on WN, I probably wouldn’t go work for them.
Most airlines extend travel passes to execs of other airlines. Southwest does this with ULCC execs even. And vice versa. When I worked managing an airport operation, I had regional directors and such with other airlines like Southwest fly on us to DFW… like we had an 830am flight when WN options at the time were 6am or 11am to DAL. I’ve seen jetBlue execs on other airlines. It’s common.
But yes, those with the airlines that have limited schedules frequently fly other airlines, even middle managers, buying tickets like any other business traveler. Reading in public record at some airline exec offer letters, for example, Frontier gives its top folks a UATP credit card for use for company business, and one with a balance to use to buy tickets on other airlines for them and their family on personal travel (one offer letter I saw had like $8000 in other airline airfare per year for personal use).
It’s common knowledge that Saint Herb held Exec Plat on American, and, frankly, if you had to get back to Dallas from anywhere, American is the best bet. So why not take the opportunity to fly in F with free drinks (he probably needed a couple after that meeting) and loads of room instead of a cramped seat, that vile snack mix, and a Coke on your airline?
The AA employee who looked up the manifest in order to tell the SW union rep that a specific passenger was indeed on the flight should be fired.
Haven’t thought it out fully but tend to agree. Crazy how nothing is private anymore.
They still wear the flag ties? Patriotic for sure, but not visually appealing. Those have gotta go.
First you need to get your facts straight….this was a company pep rally not a meeting with pilots. Pilots walked out against the hypocrisy of leadership celebrating the company with rah rah and kool aid after all the mismanagement that led to the winter meltdown, as well as the negative labor tactics being used in negotiations with all major union workgroups!
The facts in this article, and some of the responses, are way off. There was not a union meeting, or “rally” of the pilots taking place in Baltimore. It was a company wide “rally” for all employees+ of Southwest. The pilots who walked out had every right to do so, but were only a small percentage of the total amount of people there.
It was also certainly not a planned time for negotiations and most CEOs generally do not participate in those sessions anyways. There was no lost opportunity just because the pilots walked out of the rally. The CEO did not travel there to meet with any work group.
Finally, there was no AA employee who looked up a manifest. The Southwest CEO riding on AA was seen and witnessed directly by others, including Southwest employees who happened to be nearby.
Matthew, and others, before throwing an employee group (or 2) under the bus, carte blanche, please, make sure the facts in your articles are accurate. Thanks.
The manifest rumor is going around. I did not just see that here.
To let labor negotiations get so bad that you’re not even comfortable flying your own airline isn’t a good look. Especially after a melt down of epic proportions directly tied to managements cost cutting of labor/technology. 10s of thousands of employees stuck sleeping on floors in airports with no hotel rooms, being on hold trying to get in contact with the company for times or 20+ hours. Make no mistake that Southwest makes record quarterly profit after record profit in normal times.
Complete speculation but perhaps he wants a package and this is his way of letting the board know–by flying another carrier after the walkout. Idk, anything is possible, but I think people are reading too much into it and perhaps it was just the best option to get him home faster. And it’s smart for CEO’s to fly a different product anyway. Gotta stay current on offerings and competition. Maybe WN is about to introduce first class–you just never know 🙂
Google Delta Airlines and you’ll find articles like “Delta invests in employees.” Delta is miles ahead of everyone else in labor management and negotiations.
After you Google this, go fly Delta and then go fly Southwest and compare the two levels of service you receive.
Finally, after this, Google how profitable Delta is.
Will do, Tim
Could that be because only the pilots at Delta are unionized? I remember when ALPA was trying to negotiate for Delta pilots to match Southwest’s pay scale and benefits.
BTW, It is not at all unusual for upper management at an airline to fly on other carriers. We are talking about a CEO of a large company. Why would anyone expect him to be in any cabin other than first? I’m more shocked he and his wife don’t fly private, tbh.
I more so raise an eyebrow at bringing the spouse along on a one day business trip.
Matt –
Your blatant factual inaccuracies pale in comparison to your profoundly disrespectful treatment of those of us who fly Southwest’s airplanes. It’s abundantly clear that you have zero comprehension of the Railway Labor Act or any other aspect of airline labor relations… or even just the basics of the recent history of our relationship with our “leadership”. Do us all a favor and educate yourself on a subject before spouting pejorative garbage about an entire group of professionals. Feel free to email me if you’d like to gain even a passing understanding of the subject you’ve chosen to expound upon in this “article”.
In Matt’s defense, this exact story was picked up by other travel blogs first and the reporting was similar or exact. However, your points are interesting so please feel free to share them here. We are willing and ready to learn. Lance Armstrong may be disgraced but I’ll always love the Livestrong quote: Knowledge is power. Unity is strength. Attitude is everything.
–Share the knowledge so we can work towards unity.
Just because it was reported somewhere else doesn’t make it accurate. As was mentioned above, the “Rally” in Baltimore was for all Company employees. It was a “message to the field” talking about how great SWA has been doing. It most definitely was NOT any part of negotiations. This was a one way communication. The pilots were expressing their frustration with not only the pace of contract negotiations (Well over two years since the amendable date with no end in sight) but, more importantly, Bob’s unwillingness to work with the Union to improve the operation. When the pilots have warned the company about it’s tech debt for over 9 years (that’s not a typo) and they still refuse to acknowledge that tech is a problem (even after the Christmas meltdown) then maybe you can see why they might walk out.
Fair enough. I don’t fault them for walking out. I am not on his side here, aside from him flying whatever airline he wants to fly.
You, and you alone, are why unionization rate outside public sector have flatlined in the US. The tone is so off putting. The outlook is so devoid of reality most people experience in their job. Hectoring us on what the law requires? Laws can be changed….
Flying with pilots is a necessary evil. Most of them are not good people, nor even good aviators.
How do you know most pilots are not good people? And what expertise do you have to evaluate if they are good pilots? Are you an expert in the field? Are you using your expertise to evaluate their performance firsthand? On the flightdeck? Or are you that guy who says while exiting that you land much smoother on your microsoft flight sim? Your post adds zero value to the conversation.
HERB flew on American Airlines All the time and even took private Lear Jets when needed back in his day.
This Nothing out of the ordinary for a CEO.
Agreed. People seem to be overlooking that he is the CEO of a very large corporation. I am surprised he doesn’t fly private.
So much is inaccurate about your post it’s overwhelming. It’s like the OAN of aviation. Another armchair “aviation expert” whose qualifications are likely a lot of first class flights on someone else’s dime. Take your seat.
All travel is on my own dime and if you don’t care to speak specifics, you can sit down…and shut up.
Why should labour stand and listen to C-suite rhetoric and falacy about why they deserve less?
If Bob Jordan wants to talk you the pilots he should be talking through SWAPA Negotiators. Doing an end run to break solidarity and sew uncertainty by subverting the Pilots’ certified bargaining unit is union breaking 101. Good on SWA Pilots for walking, why listen to his divisive spew? That’s what it is, self serving BS spin.
Flying AA instead of his own airline speaks more to the fact he clearly thinks he deserves better than his own product. Typical, out of touch.
For the most part I agree, but your point gets clouded in your bias against the working class. I just don’t understand this country. The vast majority of us have jobs (aka labor) and yet a much larger percentage reflexively side with management and capital.
Let’s be honest…no one is your friend. Not government nor private enterprise. But if I have to pick the lesser of two evils, I’ll take government. At least business is upfront saying we’ll gouge you at every opportunity. There’s at least a tiny chance you’ll get something of value from the government. Ironically it’s the people that most hate government that get the most benefits from it. Still waiting on my dividend check from that huge PPP bailout I got no say in. Failing that, a simple “thank you for saving my small business” acknowledgement would be nice.
You can’t be serious about govt, gov’t is not the solution, they are the problem. And why is automatically assumed, companies, bosses, leadership are always out to “screw” the little guy, its amazing people’s thought process. Entitlement society, period.
You have a point about labor being inconsolable and petulant sometimes, but if my mismanagement left my people as high and as dry as SWA’s did over the holidays, I would tell them they have every right to eviscerate me during negotiations.
Flight and cabin crew got left out to dry for days or more and Jordan is taking home millions in cash and stock for it? Sorry, your “they’re both being whiny” thing is reasonable at times but it’s just a flaccid apology for horrible behavior and incompetence by SWA management for years and in this situation acutely here.
The Southwest CEO, whether Bob Jordan or a future successor, should revive the old Friday company rooftop parties for all available LUV employees as a way to return to warm working relationships. Bob Kelleher hosted these parties, complete with margaritas for those not scheduled to fly, for years and kept a happy workforce humming. Yes, contract negotiations can get tense. But social conversation can help warm the waters so all parties reach agreement.
Whoops – – HERB Kelleher, of course!
What a bootlicker article. The labor relations were already in the shitter thanks to SW policies.
Matt, Great observations; no one would have said anything had he flown private as many C=suite folks do. Additionally, I think it would be good for the CEO to occasionally check out their competition…
Matthew,
To be fair, do you really think other airline executives don’t fly order airlines? Of course they do!
Stop throwing Southwest under the bus at every opportunity you get!
Who is throwing Southwest under the bus? I defended the CEO for flying AA.
I’d fly another airline too, after that debacle not wanting to potentially heckled on his way home with his wife is perfectly an acceptable action.
Well Southwest doesn’t have first class
The moral of this story is the CEO s are spoiled brats who take from their hard working union employees. Unless you are a union crew member in the USA you have no clue how the airlines manipulate their employees union contracts. In Europe the employees have pensions still and Air Canada so if they make it work the airlines in America could too. Hope all the airlines realize many employees are gonna use up their sick time before they retire and resign. It’s not the career it used to be . We deserve better . A bunch of 24 year olds are in crew scheduling and all the airlines except Delta outsource ramp workers cleaners wheel chair pushers to third party so why would they show up without flight benefits ? The meltdowns are going to continue at all the airlines. Too many other jobs without so many hassles exist .
Typical corporate speak. Do you really know what the pilots have been dealing with at SWA.? Until you get a clearer view keep your naive opinions to yourself. Being in the aviation industry for 40 years since COVID and the crazy political climate of this country its been challenging for all service industry workers..
How about the simple reasoning that Southwest Sucks and he can afford more comfort for himself and his wife ? As well he should. Good for him! I’d do the same !
Articles like this and half of the following comments make me look forward to retirement with great anticipation. 22 years flying f-18’s in the Marine Corps and 17 years at a major airline and those souhwest pilots and I are needy, petulant, disrespectful. As much time and money invested in training as most doctors. A few months ago I diverted for an emergency landing with failed flaps. 160 souls on board. Safely on the ground to see their loved ones. “Needy, petulant, disrespectful.” Those southwest guys should wait three years for a raise while their CEO executes a stock buyback almost every quarter? Every one of those buybacks is a raise for him, but MATT the travel expert scolds disrespectful labor walking out of a social event he doesnt even understand. Screw those pilots! Pay them like $50 grand a year. All they do is drink coffee. Remember folks, you get what you pay for! When southwest cant get pilots to apply and are parking half their jets and only flying half their schedule, Matt will have shown those petulant union members. You go girl!
Hey Matthew I normally don’t respond to articles like this but this time I felt the need to. Background on me is I’m a retired Air Force pilot, prior Delta Airlines pilot on the 727 and MD-88 and spent the last 17 years to date as a Proud Southwest Airlines Pilot. You can think what you want about pilots and contract negotiations I don’t care. My issue with you and your article is the part where you referenced SWA as pilots with a goofy flag tie. First and foremost I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that you’ve never served. If you had there’s not a chance you would have made that comment. Those who have fought for the flag and the freedoms that come with it take it seriously. As a combat veteran that has well over 100 combat missions in wars in Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan I take personal offense to your comment. I proudly wear my flag tie every day and get positive comments through the day from people saying they like and appreciate me wearing it. As for the article saying that Bob was flying on AA and in first class with his wife. Who cares! I’m sure he left out of DFW and left his car there. Maybe you don’t know how far Love and DFW are from each other. The inference in your article was that he didn’t want to face his pilots so he bought a ticket on a competitor. You know there was a story recently that made the rounds where I believe it was Americans CEO befriended one of our flight attendant on a SWA flight. According to you he MUST have been flying us because he was upset with people at his own airline. Do you think maybe Bob lives closer to DFW or the non stops made more sense especially traveling with a spouse. I don’t know, all I know is this article seems like a poor attempt to get a rise out of a workgroup that’s been without a contract for a long time. Do me a favor and next time you look at our “ goofy” flag ties remeber how many lives were lost to protect those colors and the freedoms you are blessed to enjoy every day.
Thanks for Your note. I served in the USAF too. I don’t like flag ties and pins because I think they cheapen our flag. It is not out of derision for our flag, but respect for it.
I call BS. Sounds like you have a problem with a union who hasn’t had a contract in awhile. Stop shilling for this roach.
NO. I WAS NOT WRONG. I’M A HUGE UNION SUPPORTER, BUT YOU HAVE TO LISTEN ANF GIVE PEOPLE A CHANCE. I AGREE EITH YOU 100%. WALKING OUT SILVES NOTHING.
Don’t think the point was “solving” anything at this point. They (rightfully) wanted to make a point. Walking out wasn’t going to make one iota of difference EITHER way. It’s almost like “blame the victim” ideology. We all know their MO at this point….cheap, cheap & more cheap. Why in the world would you or Matt wanna give them the benefit of ANY doubt? ♂️
Two wrongs don’t make a write however it is well deserved. Under the RWLA a union cannot self help until after years of being patient. The companies have proven that they do not negotiate in good faith, as required under the RWLA, until the very end. How can you make your boss understand that everything is not ok. Obviously there is a major problem at SWA. The company, management, can and should fix that now. I fully support the pilots. Been there, went through it, no fun at all!
You obviously have zero clue about the laws and processes involved with negotiating under the Railway Labor Act. There is precious little employee groups and unions can do, especially as negations are purposefully dragged out for years on end. Bob could end the kindergarten shenanigans in a week if he truly wanted to. Bob continues to employ the turncoat prior union president to head the negotiations AGAINST the pilot group. Using the Baltimore rally as an opportunity to have dialogue with the pilots? Please. Why don’t you write about something you’re somewhat educated about next time.
Matt,
You said you’re no fan of “disrespectful union tactics,” and that “walking out on your boss is not conducive to reaching a new contact [sic].” Noted.
Can you explain what you believe to be the correct and most effective approach for an airline pilot union operating in a bargaining environment regulated by the Railway Labor Act to reach a new contract when the company they are locked in negotiations with is not happily willing to agree to the compensation, benefits, and work rules that the pilot marketplace will easily allow? When you divulge your approach to obtaining this new contract, please keep in mind a few facts:
1) As of today, the pilots of Southwest have been in formal negotiations with the company for 960 days.
2) As of today, bargaining between the pilots of Southwest and the corporation of Southwest Airlines have
been overseen by a federal mediator appointed by the National Mediation Board for 216 days.
3) During their first eight years, a pilot earning an equivalent number of credit hours makes 100% more at Delta
Airlines than at Southwest Airlines despite the Southwest pilot flying 30% more block hours.
4) Over the course of a 30-year career, Delta Airlines contributes 50% more to each pilot’s retirement fund than
Southwest Airlines contributes to each Southwest pilot’s retirement fund despite the Southwest pilot flying 30%
more block hours.
5) Southwest pilots have near industry-last disability benefits if something strips them of their medical
qualification to fly airplanes.
6) Southwest pilots often lack access to basic human necessities like food (airport and hotel food vendors are often
shuttered during the early morning and late evening hours that Southwest Airlines pilots operate and lines at
airport food vendors during operating hours are typically too long for a pilot to be able to obtain food during
their ground time) due to the often grueling duty days they must work through.
Do you believe that the pilots of Southwest Airlines have not attempted over the last three years of negotiations the polite and diplomatic approach? Do you believe the pilots walking out on Bob Jordan at the Baltimore rally occurred in a vacuum – that nothing over the last three years prompted, or dare I say, merited, that response?
Do you think Southwest Airlines will simply and benevolently grant to the pilots of Southwest Airlines the compensation, benefits, and work rules that reflect the current state of supply and demand in the airline pilot hiring market when the Railway Labor Act allows them to proceed on with the status quo for a nearly limitless period of time?
What do you think the pilots ought to do? The pilots didn’t create the reality of the system they must bargain under. They have to use the very limited set of tools that the Railway Labor Act affords unto them to obtain the compensation, benefits, and work rules that the economic environment will allow.
What would your plan for the pilots be? If you were the president of the Southwest pilots’ union, what would you do?