Long before JetBlue flew to ORD, the government was forced to step in and tell UAL and AA to reduce some flying out of there because they were both setting irresponsibile and unsustainable schedules. Two hour ground stops on severe clear days were the catalyst for that, not JetBlue's potential 8 slots a day. Nice try though.
So UAL and AA slightly reduce flying in comparison to their massive operations there and JetBlue gets 8 puny slots per day. This was no anti UAL/AA or pro JB conspiracy. Do you really think that one or two airlines can log jam a major airport to the point where the government has to step in and force them to dial it back a notch, and once they do then no other airlines are allowed in again, ever. Right.
As for us getting "handed" slots in NYC, again, you have no clue what you are talking about. The majors laughed at JFK. No one wants to fly there, everyone wants to be number 60 in line for takeoff from LGA or they don't want to go. Majors even sold tickets to customers to LGA to connect via JFK on their prescious 5:00 pm international bank and it was up to the customer to get there! So along comes JetBlue who recognises a HUGE untapped potential in JFK. We are successful there and all of the sudden every major is adding domestic capacity as fast as logistically possible to an airport they shunned for that purpose for decades, and somehow that in your mind equates to politicians "handing" us gates we "had no right to"? Again, nice try.
Or perhaps you are referring to Boston in your east coast example. An airport we never could have went into with the presence we have were it not for Delta building a half billion dollar terminal they didn't need just so Leo Mullin could impress his Boston alumni. They ABANDONED that terminal and we moved in. Oh yeah, right, it was the politicians that unfairly greased the skids there too. Right. Don't worry though, there's still gates available for you to add capacity. You just gotta do it in the A concourse. Nice digs though, really.
Sorry to throw the BS flag on ya, but that was a big ole swing and a miss. Next time you try to come hard to the paint you might want to bring a little better junk than that.:beer: