Alaska and SWA

[Cometman]

Maybe Alaska will buy SW or Delta....we haven't decided yet!! Will let you know after the fact.

You are smaller than Air Tran and never will buy SWA or Delta. You will assume the position behind the Air Tran guys because they are now part of SWA.

 

[Mamma]

You are smaller than Air Tran and never will buy SWA or Delta. You will assume the position behind the Air Tran guys because they are now part of SWA.

Whatever you Kool-Ade drinking newbie.

 

[Dan Roman]

You are smaller than Air Tran and never will buy SWA or Delta. You will assume the position behind the Air Tran guys because they are now part of SWA.

That good old "warrior spirit" eh.
Texas Intl bought Continental back in the early 80's. Alaska is considered financially stronger than SWA in any way you want to measure it. Just like I keep telling my wife, size doesn't matter.

 

[Chief Pilot]

You are smaller than Air Tran and never will buy SWA or Delta. You will assume the position behind the Air Tran guys because they are now part of SWA.

It's nice to finally see someone on this forum who has real insider information and will be part of the decision-making process if this ridiculous rumor ever comes to fruition. You were obviously the smart one of that Hale-Bopp group...now run along and chase that spaceship.

CP

 

[Dan Roman]

BTW, I can't believe anyone would really believe AK and SWA are mergable. Two completely different types of airlines. Alaska is successful because of it's reputation for good service and has strong passenger loyalty. SWA is successful because people perceive it as a good bargain. Two completely different business models. Both have brand loyalty in their own way, but I don't see them as compatible at all.

 

[flythere]

Good point. I was coming from the idea that AS has been around quite a bit longer than Airtran and I'm thinking that a DOH would probably naturally align it's self with relative seniority. Granted, it's an over simplification to make a blanket statement like that but I was referring to the idea that putting a SWA 1975 DOH coupled with an AS 1975 DOH would be conceptually easier that trying to figure out how to integrate an Airtran 1994 DOH with a SWA 1975 DOH or whatever our senior guy is.
No disrespect implied to the AT bros.

Ah, on that note I think AS has been around a hell of a lot longer than SW, Let's see AK= 1932 SW= 1971, about 40 yrs! Besides if there are any pilots that were hired in 1975 hanging around, they are probably getting around on their Little Rascle with the O2 tank attached!

AK is much more forward thinking with their fleet, RNP, HUD AOC datalink etc. SW is very resistant to change, look at their fleet. They are lobbying Boeing not to change the 737 too much, because it would affect the type rating! I'm sure SW is looking at technology, but not like other carriers are, especially AK!

 

[fam62c]

This is worthless discussion about nothing.

 

[scrub]

This is worthless discussion about nothing.

Amen!

 

[texman]

BTW, I can't believe anyone would really believe AK and SWA are mergable. Two completely different types of airlines. Alaska is successful because of it's reputation for good service and has strong passenger loyalty. SWA is successful because people perceive it as a good bargain. Two completely different business models. Both have brand loyalty in their own way, but I don't see them as compatible at all.

SWA does not have good customer service, or loyalty? I don't think you know what you are talking about. Just saying.

 

[Boxboy]

Walmart merging with Neiman Marcus..... great!

 

[Boxboy]

Walmart merging with Neiman Marcus..... grrrrrrrrreat!

 

[Dan Roman]

SWA does not have good customer service, or loyalty? I don't think you know what you are talking about. Just saying.

I'm saying it's two different types of brand loyalty. SWA is perceived as a good bargain, that's what creates their loyalty. And yes I do think you take good care of your pax's, but it's a whole different type of operation than AK and operated in a completely different way. I don't see them being compatible at all. AK has a strong presence in the Northwest. A merger with SWA would kill that.

 

[Dan Roman]

Walmart merging with Neiman Marcus..... grrrrrrrrreat!

That's not a bad analogy and it's what I was saying. Put the Walmart name on all the Neiman Marcus stores and they would lose a lot of business. That doesn't mean Walmart is bad or doesn't have it's place, it's just a whole different deal.

 

[jp1030]

This is another worthless discussion about nothing.

a little addition to an otherwise "spot on" post

 

[Flyby1206]

This is worthless discussion about nothing.

And yet this thread will still make it to 5 pages by tomorrow!

 

[tab flyer]

That's not a bad analogy and it's what I was saying. Put the Walmart name on all the Neiman Marcus stores and they would lose a lot of business. That doesn't mean Walmart is bad or doesn't have it's place, it's just a whole different deal.

Saw your A330 at the B6 terminal in JFK today. I think that WN is after domestic market share and AS would help with that and bring the tech savvy that WN lacks. Also every AS manager is ex Horizon (low cost), I think that WN will be morphing towards the AS model. Otherwise, they will eventually get overrun by the new LCCs that have a superior product. AS has commonality and would cause DAL a lot of grief. Plus our response might be to buy B6 and WN could capitalize on all of the NYC slot and gates that shake loose.

 

[gobyebye]

I'm saying it's two different types of brand loyalty. SWA is perceived as a good bargain, that's what creates their loyalty. And yes I do think you take good care of your pax's, but it's a whole different type of operation than AK and operated in a completely different way. I don't see them being compatible at all. AK has a strong presence in the Northwest. A merger with SWA would kill that.

I've heard the following hundreds of times over the past several years

"Southwest, oh we love flying southwest, they are by far the best airline to fly on. Everyone treats us so well and seems so happy"

Not once have I heard

"Southwest, we love flying southwest because its such a great bargain"

In fact, a lot of the time Southwest isn't the bargain deal on a certain route.

 

[Mamma]

I love flying SWA! Most people I know like flying them because they are happy and customer focused....unless you are 300lbs and don't buy two seats! I kid. I think most know by now they are not always the cheapest game in town but McDonalds isn't always either. People go to McDonalds because they know what they are going to get and like it. Try being a military guy and flying on US Air out of Philly. Everytime ive been treated like crap. Night and day on the treatment.

 

[texman]

I love flying SWA! Most people I know like flying them because they are happy and customer focused....unless you are 300lbs and don't buy two seats! I kid. I think most know by now they are not always the cheapest game in town but McDonalds isn't always either. People go to McDonalds because they know what they are going to get and like it. Try being a military guy and flying on US Air out of Philly. Everytime ive been treated like crap. Night and day on the treatment.

True dat! We do take care of our mil peeps

 

[XR650R]

Ah, on that note I think AS has been around a hell of a lot longer than SW, Let's see AK= 1932 SW= 1971, about 40 yrs! Besides if there are any pilots that were hired in 1975 hanging around, they are probably getting around on their Little Rascle with the O2 tank attached!

AK is much more forward thinking with their fleet, RNP, HUD AOC datalink etc. SW is very resistant to change, look at their fleet. They are lobbying Boeing not to change the 737 too much, because it would affect the type rating! I'm sure SW is looking at technology, but not like other carriers are, especially AK!

So true! I was actually thinking we could pair DAL and HOU captains with AS F/O's so as to bring them into the 20th century.