>>People at Sprint (those who are left) earn pretty good money. <<
Why? Sprint is an inferior product. In my opinion, I mean. Why do they earn pretty good money? Without a union, I mean?
>>They work about 80 hours a week for it (they are only paid for 40 though), but it IS pretty good money.
They are paid for 40 but work 80? Doesn't seem like as much "pretty good money" now. Like maybe a 50% pay cut?
>>Since they don't have a union representing them to tell the world how uncaring, unfeeling and cheap their boss is, it just doesn't make for good chat.
If Sprint did have a union, would it make any difference how they were treated by their boss? Would it make any difference how they employees got the news? Union? Carrier Pigeon? Osmosis? Self-actualization? Perhaps if Sprint employees were represented by a union, then it would be "good chat."
>>But Sprint never had a real "culture" to destroy - not since Paul Henson was tricked into retirement in the early 90's. After he left, the CEO's and other execs they had made Jim Parker look like Mother Theresa.
THe obvious comparisions between Jim Parker and Mother Tereasa notwithstanding, I'm sure you see that "the culture" at Southwest is as valuable to the company as it is to employee. Probably much more so.
The simple fact is, the little airline that could, Southwest, has grown into a behemoth. While I give the company high marks for at least trying to keep the "culture" in tact, it is a simple fact that the sheer size of the employee groups alone preclude any real semblance of "culture" and "community"... at least from my perspective in flight ops. I think it's a different company for the Ground Ops folks, people that work together every day, go to golf tourneys and baseball games, cookouts and boat rides. I go to work, fly for 3 or 4 days, then go home for 3 or 4. It's a pleasant lifestyle, but I certainly don't feel my life revolves around the company. The feeling I get from many on the thread and many that respond to SWAFA30s posts is, anyone fortunate enough to work for Herb and Southwest should consider it an honor and should just shut up about money and work rules. My life SHOULD revolve around the company, in other words. It's different airline than it was 15 years ago. It's even different in short 5 years I've been here. People read the "Nut's" book and become enamored with the company. I've seen stories play out just like the book says, and I've seen stories play out 180 degrees out from what I thought was the "Southwest Spirit". It's a different world and a different airline. Those are simply the facts. One can "wish it was" all one wants, but it doesn't change the facts. The flight attendans are simply trying to eek out a better life in return for the services they provide. Just like the Rampers do. Just like the pilots do. Just like they do at Sprint.
Regards,
Elvis