This is the argument, in principle, I am reading on this thread by those that support the Wright Amendment: "Southwest knew the deal when they got involved with this so they should just accept it and the Wright Amendment should stay in place."
In that respect, should pilot contracts work the same way? The negotiators go to the bargaining table to ask for the world, while management offers status-quo or maybe minor increases and/or cuts. After years of negotiations, the negotiators and MEC come to the pilot group with a tentative agreement providing 10% raises and other improvements. Do pilots vote yes and approve TAs because they know they will never get anything better in the future? No.
Airlines got their planes at a set rate from their lessors, but hey they struck a deal so why should they have the right to renegotiate lower terms in financially hard times? Didn't they know what they were getting into?
Yes, these comparisons are apples-to-oranges, but times change. It is up to the management of both of these companies to do what they think best for their shareholders, customers and employees. There is going to be spin on both sides to get their points across.
The Wright Amendment may have been necessary and understandable back when DFW was conceived and opened, however the success and viability of DFW doesn't appear in question.
IAH-HOU
JFK-LGA-EWR
DCA-IAD-BWI
ORD-MDW
SFO-OAK
DFW-DAL (?)
