Welcome to Flightinfo.com

  • Register now and join the discussion
  • Friendliest aviation Ccmmunity on the web
  • Modern site for PC's, Phones, Tablets - no 3rd party apps required
  • Ask questions, help others, promote aviation
  • Share the passion for aviation
  • Invite everyone to Flightinfo.com and let's have fun

SWA MDW Meltdown

Welcome to Flightinfo.com

  • Register now and join the discussion
  • Modern secure site, no 3rd party apps required
  • Invite your friends
  • Share the passion of aviation
  • Friendliest aviation community on the web
CEO Gary Kelly will never replace COO Mike Van de Ven despite his obvious failures.

I'm glad that people are starting to realize that he's the problem. But frankly, Gary isn't much better. Both need to be replaced.
 
I'm glad that people are starting to realize that he's the problem. But frankly, Gary isn't much better. Both need to be replaced.

PCL, it doesn't matter as they come as a package. They were college roomies. Van de Ven has been a known problem here for years. You would be hard pressed to find someone to say something good about him. Unfortunately, we will not be free from either of them until we hit some real financial hardship which won't happen for awhile with the favorable conditions the entire sector is currently enjoying. My hope is that we can hire some outside help to prevent a disaster with our international ops...this company is pretty clueless in that arena.
 
Last edited:
I don't know, I'm thinking the shareholders (especially the institutional ones) are going to start screaming pretty loudly as they continue to watch billion dollar profits roll in every quarter at the legacies while Gary and VdV barely manage to squeak out a couple hundred million here and there. Their days may be numbered.
 
Dude, I wish but look at the share price....and this after spending the last decade in the toilet. It won't last forever though....you're right about that. This latest is only one in a long stream of pretty big screw ups.
 
MDW airport has always been a 5lb bag and the airlines try to shovel in 10 lbs of crap. There just is no physical place o hold airplanes on ramps, etc. I have seen damn near grid lock there. Add in weather and de-icing= nightmare.
 
There is ZERO accountability at SWA these days. It's just the tip of the iceberg in my opinion. This wasn't even a real storm. Ground ops staffing has been a problem for several years now. I doubt much will change until we see significant revenue declines. CEO Gary Kelly will never replace COO Mike Van de Ven despite his obvious failures. It is what it is. This happens to all companies. SWA has had a good run....it was bound to end sooner or later.

Not that I disagree with you but Who do you think is going to replace these guys. Every airline CEO has embraced BK, Codeshare and furlough and these are the guys you want to run SWA?

The last couple of days were a disaster but be careful what you (we) wish for, unless it is to make sure that PCL 128 never has a chance to sit in SWA cockpit, then wish away.
 

Latest posts

Latest resources

Back
Top