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Alaska and SWA

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texman said:
SWA does not have good customer service, or loyalty? I don't think you know what you are talking about. Just saying. :)
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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.
 
Boxboy said:
Walmart merging with Neiman Marcus..... grrrrrrrrreat!
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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.
 
Dan Roman said:
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.
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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.
 
Dan Roman said:
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.
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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.
 
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.
 
Mamma said:
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.
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True dat! We do take care of our mil peeps
 
flythere said:
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!
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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.
 
Daddy said:
You actually disrespected your SWA "bros" with that statement
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So you're one of the "staple is the only way" and " I came to SWA to upgrade in 5 years and that's not going to happen so I'll wear a chip on my shoulder for the rest of my career because it's all about me kinda guy". Got it.
 
Alaska isn't buying anybody.

Alaska is the most profitable major airline. They have been trying to get a 10% ROIC for years and they have finally got it. Purchasing another less profitable (as they all are) airline will only upset that business plan. Organic growth is a lot cheaper, more predictable, and a lot more fun then acquisitions.

As far as acquisitons go, the most "credible rumors" around here are that we were already talking to SWA about a merger before the AT deal and talks fell apart when our valuation passed 2 Billion. I guess AT at 1.4Billion seemed like a better deal.

And about SLI integration theories posted on this board...Alaska is THE closest airline to the pre-AT SWA in the industry hands down in terms of equipment, routes, pay...never mind...it's not worth it.
 
igneousy2 said:
Alaska isn't buying anybody.

And about SLI integration theories posted on this board...Alaska is THE closest airline to the pre-AT SWA in the industry hands down in terms of equipment, routes, pay...never mind...it's not worth it.
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Oh yeah, they both flew 737's, that's about where the similarity actually ends...
 
Unfortunately there are plenty of ways they can pull it off without money ever changing hands AND, we are all just along for the ride!
KBB
 
AK is much more forward thinking with their fleet, RNP, HUD
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SWA also has RNP & the HUD. Additionally both airlines use Row44 for their inflight WiFi. Alaska & SWA are more alike than they are different.
 
Full of LUV said:
Oh yeah, they both flew 737's, that's about where the similarity actually ends...
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I didn't say they were the same...I said they were the closest. Name an airline that is more similar in things important to SLI.

SWA is all domestic, Alaska is mostly domestic.

Junior CA at Alaska is currently about 12 years...Junior CA at SWA is about 11.

Alaska 737 pilots are among the highest paid narrow body pilots in the industry, SWA 737 pilots are the highest paid narrow body pilots in the industry (not counting freighters).

Alaska flies slow but adopts technology fast. SWA flies fast but adopts technology slow.

Anyway...not the same...but hard to find an airline any closer.
 
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igneousy2 said:
I didn't say they were the same...I said they were the closest. Name an airline that is more similar in things important to SLI.

SWA is all domestic, Alaska is mostly domestic.

Junior CA at Alaska is currently about 12 years...Junior CA at SWA is about 11.

Alaska 737 pilots are among the highest paid narrow body pilots in the industry, SWA 737 pilots are the highest paid narrow body pilots in the industry (not counting freighters).

Alaska flies slow but adopts technology fast. SWA flies fast but adopts technology slow.

Anyway...not the same...but hard to find an airline any closer.
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Roger, I didn't think SLI when you said similar.... all valid points for the SLI.
 
But why would Southwest want to merge with a Delta Connection carrier!?!?! (he say's while stirring the pot!!!)
 
BlueBlood said:
SWA has $4.5BIL in available cash.
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Just because you have the money does not mean you can "afford" to buy ALK. I have a million in the bank doesn't mean I can afford an a Ferrari. Besides to buy them you would have to offer a premium above their market cap of 2.3 billion. Probably have to offer 3.3 billion to even get them to take a look.
 
Otto77 said:
Please buy us(b6). AS! Would love to work at a well run company with a solid CBA
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It'd be nice if the B6 pilots could do it themselves instead of hoping that a CBA will be inherited. It takes work, time, and although I know many of the B6 pilots are grateful to be working at rates similar to their unionized industry peers, some need to understand that their hourly rates and work rules, have been negotiated on the backs of others that have worked hard to get them.

Just my $0.02
 

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