DOT votes against modified Delta-USAirways swap agreement - socialism???

[johnsonrod]

I think this was a non-issue until SWA filed a complaint. Let's face it, it's no secret who they (DAL and USAIRWAYS) wanted out of DCA and LGA. I do believe SWA found legal ground to stand on (don't ask me what it is, I am not an attorney), and found the loophole. Don't hate the player, hate the game. More competition, that sounds like Capitalism to me. Bags fly free out of DCA also : )

What? You're not an attorney but you believe SWA found solid legal ground to stand on? Hmmmm. Next time you want to sell your house, the Feds should jump in and stop you if your neighbor disagrees and wants first dibs. Get it? Think about it...

Just because SWA wants access to DCA doesn't mean that an agreement among 6-7 willing airlines should be negated. SWA got long-awaited access to LGA. SWA should also get access to DFW if gates are available and it should be able to fly pax out of DAL to California and other states (overturning the stupid Wright Ammendment). That doesn't mean they should be able to stop a legal transaction (asset swap) that would also benefit numerous new entrants (and the public).

The Government shouldn't be involved in a transaction of this nature - PERIOD. The Government doesn't always know best - even though Obama believes he knows what's best for everyone. People forget that new players were being added to these markets (JB in DCA and Westjet in LGA). Competition was increasing in a slot-controlled environment. New nonstop city pairs were being added out of DCA that would have benefitted the public. The public would have more choice and an agreement was worked out that satisfied the various parties.

Thanks Obama for reducing public access to nonstop flights that previously had not existed. You are the most articulate Socialist we have ever seen and all union-supporters should thank you every day for your great work at increasing mediocrity across our land... Merci!!!!!!

 

[puddlejumper101]

I don't know who is responsible, but what I do know is if SWA had not made a stink about it, we would not be having this conversation. Plus, those slots as far as I know are rented not owned. Two tennants agreed to the deal, but the landlord still had the final say. The landlord decided to let all tenants and potential tenants bid for the rental of the slots. All of this because there was a potential tenant that wanted in and whined about it.

 

[GuppyWN]

Divesting the slots will only SLIGHTLY reduce the monopoly that occurs in LGA and DCA.

If you think 15 pairs of slots is going to be a game changer - you're just whining to be whining. Southwest will get a foot in the door IF and ONLY IF we win the blind bid.

We're not the only airline in the US that wants these slots but I'd be lying if I didn't admit that seeing you spooled up about Canyon Blue Thunder in LGA didn't make me smile.

Gup

 

[tzskipper]

I don't know who is responsible, but what I do know is if SWA had not made a stink about it, we would not be having this conversation. Plus, those slots as far as I know are rented not owned. Two tennants agreed to the deal, but the landlord still had the final say. The landlord decided to let all tenants and potential tenants bid for the rental of the slots. All of this because there was a potential tenant that wanted in and whined about it.

I believe you are correct. For reference, this is the specific reason that SWA had to purchase ATA (in order to acquire the LGA slots that ATA controlled). If you do a search, I am sure there is an opinion written by the FAA concerning the disposition of LGA slots and who owns them. Without the actual purchase of the airline, the slots would have reverted back to the government. In other words, the slots were not an "asset" that ATA could sell.

Skipper

 

[asadonkey]

This is a perfect example of how socialism will always be the biggest threat to liberty and capitalism.

 

[Saluki Dawg]

What is Socialist about a blind auction where the highest bidder gets the slots. That's Capitalism at it's finest, and if I was a DL or US Shareholder I would insist that these two Airlines get the highest price they could get on the OPEN market.

 

[General Lee]

Not in this case, they want to sell to someone that posses no threat .

When you OWN something you actually bought, do you HAVE to give it to the highest bidder? I just don't think so. You may want to, but you certainly don't have to. That is the difference, and LaHood is also from Chicago, and I think you guys might have a base there? Cawinkidink? Yeah.


Bye Bye---General Lee

 

[General Lee]

What is Socialist about a blind auction where the highest bidder gets the slots. That's Capitalism at it's finest, and if I was a DL or US Shareholder I would insist that these two Airlines get the highest price they could get on the OPEN market.

Did CAL have a blind auction buying extra Heathrow slots? Um, nope. Do you have a blind auction selling your house? Probably, it was way too expensive and the bank took it back..... Quit being so cocky.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Raoul Duke]

hopefully both Delta and Airways will show the DOT what happens when they try to manufacture a desired outcome and simply lock the slots up indefinately - or even better agree to a marketing deal that sidesteps the DOT approval process. I have no doubt that Delta and Airways can out lawyer the DOT.

 

[DASHDRIVER]

I think that the people who are throwing the word socialism around on this thread should stop listening to Beck, and Limbaugh and pick up a book and read what socialism actually means. You may not like what the government is doing, fine. I don't agree with all of it either. But its not Socialism, and we are not a true democracy or a pure Capitalist state. We never have been. At best we are a Democratically elected Social Republic. We've been that way since day one. Seriously, stop watching Fox News and pick up a history book. Preferably one not published by Ruport Murdock.

I think most of the people who are the most angry at Obama and the government are venting it in the wrong direction or don't understand what is going on and how we got here. Obama didn't set up the rules for deregulating the airlines. He also has not influenced the way the anti-trust laws have been writen for 100 years. He also has no significant apointments put into the DOT since his election.

I don't even know why I am bothering to say this. In the next post somone is just going to acuse me of trying to take there guns, or call me a nazi or something and completely miss my point.