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.