Southwest Airlines to Acquire AirTran; Spreading Low Fares Farther 6:55 am - PR Newsw

[Daytonaflyer]

I really don't see this being a big problem for Delta. Southwest does not have the edge they once did when it comes to competitive advantage. Their labor costs are now the highest in the industry and their fuel hedging advantage has been vastly diminished.

 

[LegacyDriver]

Lear70, The devil made me do it! But message received. And congrats on the reinstatement.

Ditto, Lear70. Glad things got made right (or as right as allowed by the RLA).

 

[Lear70]

Yep, that's 3 years of my life I'll never get back, but they gave me a new-found appreciation for a LOT of things in life that are more important than this whole flying business (God, family), and a little faith in that the system DOES work, even when people game it and delay it as long as possible.

Just d@mned glad to be here!

So thanks all for the warm words, and let's get this thing DONE!

 

[PCL_128]

Welcome aboard guys...with the possible exception of PLC128

Looking forward to flying with you!

Wow, that is GREAT for all of you! Enjoy guys! Have a FANTASTIC DAY!!


Bye Bye--General Lee

What, no comments about LBB, General? You disappoint me.

 

[Britpilot]

My gut is on the floor. I have so many friends at Air Tran, and think we all know where this is headed. My best to you guys.

I dunno, where's this headed?

 

[Britpilot]

P.S. Get ready to finally ditch your hats, watch your dues drop to 1%, get a nice raise, and say goodbye to the red-eyes.....and that's just for starters!

That's all good right there. :beer:

 

[StopNTSing]

I really don't see this being a big problem for Delta. Southwest does not have the edge they once did when it comes to competitive advantage. Their labor costs are now the highest in the industry and their fuel hedging advantage has been vastly diminished.

Yet another one who confuses labor rates with labor cost.

 

[WayBack]

Of course I disagree, RESPECTFULLY. Delta still has 70% of the gates at ATL. A merger between SWA and Airtran will now allow DL and USAir to ask for the slot swap at LGA and DCA thanks to Airtran already having slots at both airports. That will make Delta even larger at LGA, and allow USAir to become bigger at DCA too. SWA cannot get anymore gates at ATL, since Delta and Airtran already made deals with the city of Atlanta for another 7 years just recently. Delta has hubs in other cities that SWA has already been competing at, and has not "bothered" DL in the slightest, in fact SWA has pulled down flights at SLC. The terminal at MSP that SWA and Airtran use has very few more gates left to expand. I don't think I have to give anymore examples, because my NEW BEST FRIENDS at the NEW SWA are really cool and understand me already.

Hey, HAVE A FANTASTIC DAY, and keep fighting the GOOD fight. If you have time, do something nice for someone if you can, like opening the door for a granny. See ya!


Bye Bye---General Lee

Take a good look at this. This is what denial looks like.

 

[AirMorgan]

Aw, did I hurt your feewings?
Look at what SWA has done to other majors at other airport. Buh Bye!

No, you didn't. BTW, I'm sorry for calling you a retard. That's an insult to retards!

 

[400A]

Reality Check

Congrats to all involved.

I hate to rain on the "we will snuff the other one out" contest, but the truth is that the single carrier fantasy will never work in Atlanta. Delta did not snuff Airtran because the consumer will not allow it. I ride on both airlines and have always chosen Airtran when possible. Rates are always comparable on my routes, but the Airtran employees have always been more pleasant. I hear the same thing about Southwest so I am excited. I am however NOT looking forward to no seat selection. Hopefully this will give Delta a reality check on attitude an bag fee's. The removal of business class will send a percentage of business customers right back to Delta, so like I said, both will not only survive, but thrive.

 

[damnflyboy]

If you SWA guys figure out how to find some employees with work-ethic in ATL, could you let the rest of us know? Getting parked is a b*tch. Thanks!

 

[whatitdoing?]

1) I was only stating that DAL is the biggest airline flying out of ATL (a fact that will remain unchanged after the UAL/CAL merger). Nevertheless, I honestly don't care about flying for the "biggest airline in the world." Bragging rights like that do nothing for me.

2) See nothing but orange? You mean "Barney Blue," right? Also, I see more UAL than SWA out of DEN. And I see WAAAAAY more DAL out of SLC than I see SWA. So I highly doubt SWA be pushing Delta around out of ATL (Delta's stronghold). The fact that SWA has had their way with Frontier and US Air doesn't mean anything when you consider the strength of DAL in ATL.

3) Kudos to SWA for making money when everyone else wasn't! That's awesome. My point was that DAL has an extremely competitive cost structure as evidenced by recent earnings. So yes, I think DAL is better at making money... for now. I think that's why SWA is pulling the trigger on this deal. They know they can't continue to compete with their current business model. This is a very bold, and desperate, move for them. They've caught merger fever...just like everyone else.

The intent of my original post was to shut up the retard who thinks SWA can push DAL out of ATL. I know SWA is a strong, well run company. I have many friends there. I'm not saying DAL will smash them. I'm just saying good luck pushing DAL out of ATL. Hell will freeze over before that happens.

I was just reacting to your arrogant Delta attitude of ruling the world. Careful what you say in 'bold' there. Pan Am and Eastern said the same thing. SWA coming to ATL, no matter how you look at it, it's a good thing for Delta at all. I'm sure Delta management will come up with a pep rally saying Delta is 'god' like and protected by higher beings, but I caution you in believing that. Believe me, I'm not saying the new UAL will be all that....in fact, I think it's going to be a disaster that'll take 20 years to fix, but that's just me. You have to remember that ATL is a 'world hub', but only in the sense that it's a world 'connection' hub. Delta won't be able to charge a premium out of ATL anymore. With SWA flying to major destinations in the tropics, to NYC, DCA, MCO and others.....Delta loses the high yield market. Time will tell, just grab the popcorn and pep.

 

[whatitdoing?]

If you SWA guys figure out how to find some employees with work-ethic in ATL, could you let the rest of us know? Getting parked is a b*tch. Thanks!

SWA is in for a rude awakening. The first time they see a 'dance off' at 2am with tugs in a circle with their lights on, they'll realize the need to 'import' some SWA help. ATL is by far....wait, DCA is worse....but ATL has the laziest, most disfunctional and unmotivated ramp force in the country. Anyone top it besides DCA?

 

[GuppyWN]

Yeah MDW.

Gup

 

[whatitdoing?]

Ya know, just reading this, it's hard to believe you call Delta arrogant. At least by even YOUR reasoning DAL will be the second or third biggest airline So at least now that SWA is going to be eating if for lunch as you say, it will be a lot of lunches.

I have no idea what you're talking about. Read Morgan's post and tell me if you see arrogance. My response has to deal with Delta pilot's arrogance no matter where or how I meet them. I swear, they're brought to a puzzle factory and reassembled. Sort of like the "Borg" if you watch Star Trek. The damn place is like the "Collective". Anyhow, I was defending SWA and saying that Delta is in for a rude and huge awakening. I worked under the Delta brand for almost 9 years and I couldn't stand it. I've never seen such arrogance and kool aid drinking mofos in my life. By stating that they can't say they're the biggest and baddest airline around anymore, well, let's just say it puts a smile on my face. Am I saying the new UAL is gonna be awesome....are you kidding? I've never seen such a beat up, demoralized, and old arse airline in my life. This is gonna be a disaster, but I'm along for the ride. Would I like to see Delta go under? Heck no. I have a lot of friends there. But do I want them to be schooled and humbled to the point that their arrogance fades away.....you bet.

 

[WayBack]

No, you didn't. BTW, I'm sorry for calling you a retard. That's an insult to retards!

Brush up your resume, looks like SWA is going to have classes next year. I'm sure by that time you'll already be warned of your furlough at MotherDelta, plus it's a pay raise.

Anyone top it besides DCA?

PHL

 

[FrustratedCFI]

Southwest's History is not good with other groups.

Southwest has a poor history with acquisitions. Never taking people, just gates and jets. Maybe this is to protect their most valuable asset, their employee culture. Their corporate culture of "Our way is the only way" did, however, cause them to lose the bid for Frontier. I would be surprised if SW's union started from anywhere but a Staple position. They started with great attitudes but lately I've felt like they are getting a little too arrogant for the AW Schucks were just good ol texas boys they started as. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that their hiring process is less "lets have a beer and get to know each other" that is was and more "why do you think you are good enough to work here". I'm a little sad that I feel that is accurate to say. It amazes me that every group that starts to do well seems to forget that they are not gods gift the the cockpit and in fact are just another pilot like the rest of us. Maybe time will show that I'm wrong. That would be good news. Good luck Airtran guys and gals.

 

[xrated]

SWA is in for a rude awakening. The first time they see a 'dance off' at 2am with tugs in a circle with their lights on, they'll realize the need to 'import' some SWA help. ATL is by far....wait, DCA is worse....but ATL has the laziest, most disfunctional and unmotivated ramp force in the country. Anyone top it besides DCA?

Hands down KPHL...and you all know it too!!

 

[Captzaahlie]

Cincinnati is up for grabs still!

Makes sense, the reduction of Comair makes plenty of room for it.

 

[AirMorgan]

SWA is in for a rude awakening. The first time they see a 'dance off' at 2am with tugs in a circle with their lights on, they'll realize the need to 'import' some SWA help. ATL is by far....wait, DCA is worse....but ATL has the laziest, most disfunctional and unmotivated ramp force in the country. Anyone top it besides DCA?

Well, speaking from the DAL side of things, I know ATL rampers are slow, but I gotta say PHL is absolutely the worst I've ever seen. Their speed (or lack thereof) is rivaled only by snails.