An update on the situation involving the AirTran ALPA MEC that I posted earlier this week.

The Southwest Airlines SWAPA Communication Committee has issued an update today to the Southwest Airlines‘ pilots in which they say that the AirTran MEC is now meeting in Atlanta to discuss the Side Letter 9 — that’s the pilot seniority agreement to you lay people out there.

This, after earlier in the week, the AirTran MEC had notified SWAPA leadership that the meeting had been “postponed indefinitely.”

Hmmmm. Sounds like somebody came to their senses.

I don’t care what the AirTran ALPA MEC eventually decides — that is their call — but I think they need to make a decision one way or another — which will then allow the process to continue. If the AirTran ALPA MEC decides to send the agreement to the rank and file for a vote, then we’ll see a roadshow start almost immediately.

From the SWAPA Communications Committee, August 11, 2011:

Fellow SWAPA Pilots,

Late yesterday evening, the AirTran MEC Chairman informed SWAPA president, Steve Chase that their MEC was in ATL and had started their MEC meeting originally scheduled for this week. Notice was given earlier in the week that they were postponing their meeting until some internal items and language was received for their review.

With their MEC convened in ATL, we expect their MEC vote on their equivalent of our Side Letter 9 at some point during their meeting, and we don’t know how long it may run. If their MEC votes to send the agreement to their membership, we have an extensive roadshow schedule planned to visit every pilot base in the next three weeks. In the meantime, we continue to wait on their MEC to determine if we are going on the road. As soon as we have more information we will pass it along.

Thanks for your continued patience and please stay tuned.