Southwest DIA, Frontier>DONE

[GuppyWN]

I have over 30,000 fellow employees that will continue to bust our tails to take care of our customers and get them where they want to go, when they want to go safely and efficiently with a smile on their face. Fuel hedges or not if we continue down that road we'll be just fine thank you.

Gup
SWA dude

 

[Porch]

And...your point worth noting is what?

 

[Marko Ramius]

Hmmph!

The UAL newhires of the 90's were told to look around and see all the future millionaires around them. They thought they were the untouchables. .

................I must have missed that speech. Is the million still available? Retro perhaps/

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

Most critically, the hedging contracts that have protected Southwest from spikes in the price of oil will offer less protection starting in January. Paying market prices for a third of its fuel needs could add as much as $600 million to its bill next year, according to an analysis by the federal Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

The airline is already looking at 2010, when its fuel hedges completely disappear, leaving it with a fuel bill that would be $1.4 billion higher than in 2005 -- an increase equal to 20 percent of its current revenue -- if prices stay the same as they are today.

How much does a high debt load hinder some airlines? AA, for example, has to pay $1 Billion/yr in debt servicing. And interest rates have recently gone up. The good news is revenue picking up will float everyones boat.

 

[GuppyWN]

Porch,

My point was in reference to the thread creep talking about how SW was in the crapper after the fuel hedges run out. I'm you ex-brother. I hope we are successful in Denver - but not at your expense.

Gup

 

[HPaul3]

................I must have missed that speech. Is the million still available? Retro perhaps/

I heard that speech in 2000. After the "Summer of Miscontent" at United, while escorting my wife on her first day there. It really happened.

If you think there are a bunch of people at SWA who share that kind of arrogant attitude, you're very mistaken. The common attitudes I've run into at SWA can be summed up pretty simply. They are:

1) "I'm very happy to be here."
2) "There is something special about working here and I am going to do my best to make sure this continues on."
3) "There are some excellent, worthy competitors out there will keep us on our toes, so we can't afford to slack off."
4) "What can I do to help someone else out today?"

That's just my experience. Peace.

 

[TexaSWA]

I heard that speech in 2000. After the "Summer of Miscontent" at United, while escorting my wife on her first day there. It really happened.

If you think there are a bunch of people at SWA who share that kind of arrogant attitude, you're very mistaken. The common attitudes I've run into at SWA can be summed up pretty simply. They are:

1) "I'm very happy to be here."
2) "There is something special about working here and I am going to do my best to make sure this continues on."
3) "There are some excellent, worthy competitors out there will keep us on our toes, so we can't afford to slack off."
4) "What can I do to help someone else out today?"

That's just my experience. Peace.

what he said

 

[SWA/FO]

Canyonblue has a chip on his shoulder! See it, there it is...its in all his posts and even his profile. Just kidding folks...

 

[cactuspilot]

F9 will be OK. They are one of the few airlines that actually have managers that know what they are doing.

 

[canyonblue737]

I know I'm going to get flamed for this, oh well....

I have nothing against SWA, but seriously, you guys are sounding like nothing bad can ever happen to SWA. Yes, it is a good stable place to work now. But you never know what the future might hold! How many 1999 hires at UAL thought they were set for life?

I hope you guys can remain sucessful in this economic climate, but I think you are all only looking at this from one side.

Flame away....

Did UAL in 1999 have 30+ unbroken years of profits and a history of a no furloughs? SWA's history and strong management leadership (and longevity of leadership) gives us additional confidence compared to others that the right choices will be made to see profits continue in the future. I also have confidence in the ability of all the employees of SWA to make whatever choices are needed in the future to ensure we all have jobs as long as we want or need them.

Do I think SWA is immune to the dangers and pitfalls that other airlines are currently suffering from? No of course not, it could all end tomorrow, but I think most here at SWA believe that we will continue to avoid these problems not because "we are SWA" but rather we believe the people of SWA will adjust as needed as has always been the case and is backed up by decades of proof.

All this said I hope this horrible industry downturn gets spun around and a bunch of airlines, SWA included, sees prosperity and job growth.

 

[hoover]

Been there done that

Perhaps the memory is failing, but I was under the impression that SWA had attempted to fly into Denver (Stapleton) at some earlier point in its history, but quickly pulled out of that market. It seems the snow, ice and the associated de-icing were enemies of the 15 minute turn. Anyone else heard of this?

 

[ivauir]

Perhaps the memory is failing, but I was under the impression that SWA had attempted to fly into Denver (Stapleton) at some earlier point in its history, but quickly pulled out of that market. It seems the snow, ice and the associated de-icing were enemies of the 15 minute turn. Anyone else heard of this?

Yes we've been there before, but it wasn't the weather that caused us to pull out ...... a quick search will give you specifics and the standard host of opinions, but to give you an idea of what happened: we went there using gates we aquired in a merger, the local govenment raised the rates on those gates (to higher than what anybody was paying) and we took our bat, ball and low fares to other markets. Herb was pretty irate and the scuttlebutt is that some one (Pena?) reneged on a handshake deal.

 

[koko nw]

I heard that speech in 2000. After the "Summer of Miscontent" at United, while escorting my wife on her first day there. It really happened.

If you think there are a bunch of people at SWA who share that kind of arrogant attitude, you're very mistaken. The common attitudes I've run into at SWA can be summed up pretty simply. They are:

1) "I'm very happy to be here."
2) "There is something special about working here and I am going to do my best to make sure this continues on."
3) "There are some excellent, worthy competitors out there will keep us on our toes, so we can't afford to slack off."
4) "What can I do to help someone else out today?"

That's just my experience. Peace.

He was being TIC, sorry that you felt that the "welcome" speech was overtly arrogant. You'll find that speech amongst all of the legacies hiring during that period of time given to their new-hires, don't believe me? talk to your buds from your past life at other carriers, they'll back it up.

I wish I had the crystal ball....But at the time, what they were saying, although a little over the top was in fact.....a FACT. Good luck to you at your new carrier, I have a couple of friends that have joined you and a couple who did the reverse back in 98 who wished they hadn't....ahhhh timing.

By the way try not to give the "arrogant" broad brush to your ex-bro's and gal's back at your last carrier, not so cool.

peace

 

[HPaul3]

He was being TIC, sorry that you felt that the "welcome" speech was overtly arrogant. You'll find that speech amongst all of the legacies hiring during that period of time given to their new-hires, don't believe me? talk to your buds from your past life at other carriers, they'll back it up.

I understand. This WAS a common speech. It just came across as, rather than "arrogant," at least a little tempting of fate. I just didn't understand what the point was, really.

I wish I had the crystal ball....But at the time, what they were saying, although a little over the top was in fact.....a FACT. Good luck to you at your new carrier, I have a couple of friends that have joined you and a couple who did the reverse back in 98 who wished they hadn't....ahhhh timing.

Also a good point. This was a different era...we're living in a brave new world since those statements were made. You are absolutely correct that the statement was true. I do feel bad for the folks who made decisions during the previous airline world, only to regret those choices. I remain humble and very cognizant of the fact that my choice has worked out (so far) as much as a matter of luck as any great wisdom or preparation on my part.

By the way try not to give the "arrogant" broad brush to your ex-bro's and gal's back at your last carrier, not so cool.

I did not intend to paint anyone, except maybe the person at the podium on Day One who made the millionare statment, as arrogant. (Really--what's the point of that statement anyway?) I don't believe my post said that at all -- my apologies if I offended anyone.

My point was to refute the assertion alluded to in the above post, that Southwest guys are slapping themselves on the back and talking about THEIR million-dollar careers, and congratulating themselves all the time about their wonderful wisdom. I have NEVER seen that kind of attitude. And I know it wouldn't fly there at all.

Again, I feel for the people out there who have fallen victim to this incredible downturn. I have never said otherwise. We will all be better served when all these highly qualified people return to gainful employment that serves their needs. Best of luck.

peace

Back at you.

 

[koko nw]

Hp, thanks for your thoughtful reply, I got ya now. Best of luck over there.