We did lose some of those LBB and MAF layovers that we used to have on the 732, but in the meantime we added over 100 INTL destinations (compared to back in the late 80s when we went to LBB etc), and plenty of other domestic cities. And, to top it off, we are currently getting rid of some of that out-sourcing--in the form of 50 seat RJs going away. If you and your company still want to go to LBB and MAF, then good for you. A lot of those resources that went to those cities for us (732s) are gone now, and we are using other assets in other places to drum up potential profits. Regardless, you are still flying there, and I don't envy you.
Bye Bye--General Lee
A True Story,
Over 5 yrs ago I got a FI private message saying what a great airline SWA was...he told me to say hi to a couple of the 3 digit numbers in DAL that I flew with. He provided me enough background info on himself that I then went to the DAL 3 digits and asked if they knew of someone who might match the profile....an original SWA pilot, left after 2.5 yrs at SWA for Delta, had a wife who was in charge of SWA FA training from the beginning.....they immediately knew who it was and when I wrote to the "anonymous" emailer I confirmed it was him.
He retired from DAL with right at 30 yrs of seniority, flew international, flew nearly all types of the aircraft and was there for the heyday and 2001 aftermath.
Here is his quote General:
"You fly for a great airline (SWA) and I regret many times over having left it when I did...I went chasing big iron and a more established name...too short sighted. SWA was and appears to be a unique culture and compared to DAL's, my worse day at SWA was better than my best day at DAL. There aren't many decisions I regret in my life but that is one, leaving SWA for DAL in 1976."
I don't know why you bash SWA or others so much. The folks in LBB and MAF are customers also, just like the ones in Rome or Madrid. Who knows how long we will serve them but if we ever pull out, we can never thank them enough for sticking by us for so many years. It is only a business decision to you and others....to me, like the lady who walked on the airplane with a hot cherry pie and turned right into the cockpit and said to me, "this is for the crew to say thanks for serving us for all these years." How many of your London passengers have done that for you lately.
Honestly answer this question General...when was the last time and how many times a month do you get comments from passengers or persons who fly on Delta that say, "Delta is my favorite airline...thanks so much for your airline." I can humbly say that nearly on nearly every 2, 3 or 4 day trip when talking to passengers at the airport, in the hotel elevator or eating out, if the topic of who I work for comes up, I get that line...not because of me in particularly but because of the thousands of others who do care about each passengers. We have our jerks but we try to keep them off of FI

!
I call this last one the "t-shirt" check...how many t-shirts or clothing items do you have in your closet that has your airlines name and logo on it? I contend you can look in the closet of any airline employee and besides their uniform, you can judge the empathy and support that airline has of its employees by how many of those items each employee possess. Not scientific but I think it tells a story. How many do you own?
Who knows what the future holds but your comments merely confirm what Bill had to say about his time at DAL...I have many friends who are there who are great folks but they all say "it is mostly a job".
My apologies if you think this is a personal attack but simply a suggestion to reflect upon the professionals you do fly with at DAL and suggest attempts in the future to represent them in a manner through your posts that brings a more positive light upon them and refrain from criticizing others.
Each to their own...you've made your choice and I hope you don't wish at the end of your career that you should've been somewhere else....of course Bill had the choice, you may not have. Have a great day. Cheers,