SWA/NWA lobbyists stick it to consumers

[lowecur]

Further proof that lobbyists are nothing more than legalized influence peddlers that snuff out good ol american competition, the american taxpayer need look no further than past deals between SWA/ATA and TPG & NWA/Midwest.

Those decisions with little scrutiny, effectively granted monopolization by one carrier to two airports. Would ATA/Midwest be in a different position today? Who knows. The only thing that is certain is that SWA would have to contend with AAI at MDW, and NWA would have to contend with AAI at MKE (a hub that would threaten their monopoliztion of the upper Midwest).

Another certainty.....the average taxpayer got the shaft.

imp: ​

http://www.thedeal.com/dealscape/2008/04/a_look_at_atas_last_bankruptcy.php​

 

[AA717driver]

Breaking News: Dog bites Man! Film at 11...TC

 

[RDG]

So would ATA have been better off taking AirTran's bid back in 2004 instead of Southwest's? Hard to say, of course, but the outcome probably would have been the same either way. The Southwest deal delayed, but ultimately did not prevent, the shutdown of ATA's scheduled service.

Last I checked, Airtran does fly into Midway.

 

[lowecur]

Last I checked, Airtran does fly into Midway.

Yeah, a few gates as opposed to enough gates for a hub is a big difference. Many carriers have access to gates at fortress hubs, but can they really effectively compete?

The DOJ conveniently looks the other way on most of these deals due to strong armed lobby influence. In a few years the low cost option could either disappear or be absorbed. Good for pilots on those airlines that survive, but bad for consumers.

imp:​

 

[MJG]

I so missed the blue font.

 

[NuGuy]

Sounds like someone made a bad bet in the market...

Nu

 

[Esprit]

From an employee perspective ATA would have been better served taking the America West deal. The Airtran deal sucked and we all know how well the Southwest deal worked out for us.

ESPRIT

 

[swa737-700]

From an employee perspective ATA would have been better served taking the America West deal. The Airtran deal sucked and we all know how well the Southwest deal worked out for us.

ESPRIT

I am sorry that ATA has gone under.

I also find it hard to believe that the demise of ATA is SWAs fault.

I started at ATA in Oct '03 and was told everything was perfect, payraises, 767s, and a quick upgrade to the left seat. In Jan '04, the word bankruptcy was all over the place as was the "f" word. I bailed.

Either management was lying to us in Oct or could not forecast 6 months into the future. Bottom line, ATA management, IMHO, is to blame.

I hope you can come out of Chapter 11 stronger and more stable. Best wishes.

 

[Esprit]

I put the blame of ATA's demise squarely in the hands of the dumba## management team we had. These guys we're so inept that they could have screwed up a wet-dream. However, SWA didn't do us any favors by putting their boy Denison in charge and handing over all our profitable routes. Everytime he had us pull out of a route, SWA took it over shortly thereafter. Example DEN-PHX, MDW-MCO, the list goes on. I don't hold any animosity towards SWA, they're shrewd businessman and will do whats best for them. They don't owe me jack. But I do find it funny how we've gotten support from Delta, Continental, Netjets, and a host of other airlines but haven't heard squat from you guys. I commuted yesterday from Hawaii to the mainland on Hawaiin, AA, and SWA. Not even a "sorry you lost your job" from the SWA crews. Hawaiin and AA made an already miserable day somewhat more bearable. I will always remember how classy those 2 crews we're and how indifferent SWA was to me. Like I said, no bitternes, just an observation. I understand its just business. I guess I just expected more from a "partner".

ESPRIT

 

[RDG]

Sorry your company went under, bro. I would help if I could, but like you, I am just a line flyin' slug with no management powers to do you any good. We aren't even interviewing, so I can't even rec you guys.

 

[Flying the Line]

So what then? Every airline gets 10 gates at every airport?

 

[B6Busdriver]

Further proof that lobbyists are nothing more than legalized influence peddlers that snuff out good ol american competition, the american taxpayer need look no further than past deals between SWA/ATA and TPG & NWA/Midwest.

Those decisions with little scrutiny, effectively granted monopolization by one carrier to two airports. Would ATA/Midwest be in a different position today? Who knows. The only thing that is certain is that SWA would have to contend with AAI at MDW, and NWA would have to contend with AAI at MKE (a hub that would threaten their monopoliztion of the upper Midwest).

Another certainty.....the average taxpayer got the shaft.

imp: ​

http://www.thedeal.com/dealscape/2008/04/a_look_at_atas_last_bankruptcy.php​

I think you hit the nail on the head. Both of these deals were done to stifle competition. That's free enterprise I suppose but perhaps a bit unethical.

 

[Flying the Line]

What? Are you telling me that the government chose TPG for Midwest. It was midwest that chose TPG, I guess you expect the US govenment to say you can't have the deal you want, you will have to sell yourself to Airtran.

Idiots.