Southwest Is Waiting in the Wings

[Lear70]

If Frontier Airlines, based in Denver and operating under bankruptcy protection since last month, is forced to shrink operations significantly, Mr. Kelly wants to be ready to expand Southwest’s flights there rapidly.

“If somebody shuts down,” he said, “you need a giant number of new aircraft.”

Great.

So much for reducing capacity through mergers to help bring ticket prices up a little...

Sounds like they'll re-flood those markets with SWA aircraft, keeping the capacity up and the fares down.

Just what the aviation industry DOESN'T need. What's good for Southwest actually, in this case, appears to go against the common welfare of the airline industry as a whole.

 

[get2flyin]

That's your take...your impression...but Southwest doesn't go for the jugular, or AWA would have been gone years ago. However, that being said, if an airline trips and falls on their own, Southwest is positioned to seize the opportunity(ies) presented as they arise. Just good business sense.

OH! So they just kept AWA around because they're so gosh darn nice? That's what you think? Really? Yeah, that's it. Good heavens, man. Listen to yourself.

 

[lowecur]

All the guys and gals at SW must be moist thinking about the windfall that could be layed at their feet, as they receive a knock on their door from John Bersford Tipton's envoy, Michael Anthony. Not long ago it looked like they were in the backseat of Thelma and Louise' convertible with the rest of airline industry. Actually, they were really in the Mustang Cobra GT that was gleefully pushing as hard as they could on their rear bumper driven by a toothless dude slugging down a bottle of Wild Turkey.

imp:​

 

[Amish RakeFight]

Kudos to SWA.

 

[swa737-700]

Folks, the "big news" is the story that is never "rumored"...TWA/aa for example.


Awww...Did you have to bring that up.... My a$$ is still sore from that "fair and equitable" integration....

TV9,

Sorry to bring up bad memories...I lived that nightmare too. Would you agree that the TWA/aa acquistion was a rather big surprise...no rumors prior to the announcement? Are you nearing recall? I am looking for mine soon. Can't wait to defer.

 

[The Prussian]

OH! So they just kept AWA around because they're so gosh darn nice? That's what you think? Really? Yeah, that's it. Good heavens, man. Listen to yourself.

Sorry if I struck a nerve. Maybe I shouldn't have used an example. I still stand by this premise: Southwest is not in the business of putting other airlines out of business. Southwest welcomes healthy competition. And...Southwest will continue to seize opportunities where they present themselves in the marketplace. It's just plane good business.

 

[Flopgut]

Sorry if I struck a nerve. Maybe I shouldn't have used an example. I still stand by this premise: Southwest is not in the business of putting other airlines out of business. Southwest welcomes healthy competition. And...Southwest will continue to seize opportunities where they present themselves in the marketplace. It's just plane good business.

Wow. I'm just plane nauseated.

 

[Draginass]

Sounds like SWA is just waiting for a combined UAL and US Airways to implode upon itself.

 

[YourPilotFriend]

So with all this potential growth and massive fuel hedges you guys will be expecting a big raise on your next contract???? How's that going by the way?

 

[airlinepilot]

SWAPA guys are doing a good job and headed in the right direction. Nobody expects a large pay increase. I think the vast majority are looking for cost of living and maybe a few precent more. Improved scheduling and duty rigs. Maybe a little more profit share and 401K match. All of which would be retro. We will see.