SWA to have a Q1 loss?

[BR715]

What are the rumors?

 

[Floyd R. Turbo]

They are stories that go around with little or no factual basis, but that's not important right now.

 

[Diesel-9]

Heard they are going to the other gates in ATL.

 

[Hpilot]

Those hedges were a huge success for SWA, but it was not the only good thing going for the airline. They have kept their debt down and they have the best company culture out there, great reputation too.

It seems simple, either they need to raise fares (add fees) or cut costs. I talked to a senior pilot there that mentioned some areas have gotten lax and fat. Too many years at the top.

There sure are a lot of LUV haters out there I've noticed. Jealously maybe? I know I am.

 

[On Your Six]

Those hedges were a huge success for SWA, but it was not the only good thing going for the airline. They have kept their debt down and they have the best company culture out there, great reputation too.

It seems simple, either they need to raise fares (add fees) or cut costs. I talked to a senior pilot there that mentioned some areas have gotten lax and fat. Too many years at the top.

There sure are a lot of LUV haters out there I've noticed. Jealously maybe? I know I am.

Jealousy? Look at the headlines. They are posting losses, and they don't charge as many fees and don't always go along with fare increases. Who's fault is that? You're right, they have low debt and a nice balance sheet. But, if they want to keep posting profits during this high oil period, then they will have to do something about it. They unfortunately don't set the fares like they used to 10 years ago anymore. Adapt or lose more money. Maybe they will cut more costs to keep their fares the same, but employees won't like that.


Godspeed!


The OYSter

 

[msmb]

Im not a hater (I turned down a job at SW), it is a great airline, but the highest employee costs in the industry will catch up with them. Good luck. I hope I'm wrong.

 

[Hpilot]

Im not a hater (I turned down a job at SW), it is a great airline, but the highest employee costs in the industry will catch up with them. Good luck. I hope I'm wrong.

If you don't mind me asking, where did you go? Alaska and Delta are the only carriers I can think of putting ahead of Southwest.

 

[StarrBuck]

THE SKY IS FALLING AT SWA!! It makes me laugh when the "oh, there ya go, you guys should be charging bags and pissing off all of the customers like WE do crowd" chimes in.. Just got back from recurrent training and Southwest is very much convinced that we are actually making MORE money by NOT pissing off every customer that shows up with a bag, than we would be by charging the bag fees.. Oil is up, profit is down.. big deal.. And as far as "the highest employee cost" comment above.. Our flight operations cost per seat mile is still WAY low.. We make good bucks, but we have to earn it..

 

[redflyer65]

I'm still doubling down on the SW stock.

Think about it.

Would you want to invest in an airline that already does wide range international and covers almost every corner of the world, or..

One that hasn't even broke out of the 48 contiguous states and is just now instituting a 737-800 series that can easily take them to Hawaii, Alaska, Canada and deep into Central and South America?

Plus adding 6 more seats to their existing 700 line.

Could get interesting.

 

[JetMonkey]

I have no ill feelings towards SWA, great fantastic airline. My wife works there so there's an interest from me for them to continue their success even though I work at the competition. Am I jealous? Only of their paychecks!

 

[msmb]

If you don't mind me asking, where did you go? Alaska and Delta are the only carriers I can think of putting ahead of Southwest.

Alaska. I hope to upgrade faster....time will tell if I made the right decision.

 

[ron burgundy]

THE SKY IS FALLING AT SWA!! It makes me laugh when the "oh, there ya go, you guys should be charging bags and pissing off all of the customers like WE do crowd" chimes in.. Just got back from recurrent training and Southwest is very much convinced that we are actually making MORE money by NOT pissing off every customer that shows up with a bag, than we would be by charging the bag fees.. Oil is up, profit is down.. big deal.. And as far as "the highest employee cost" comment above.. Our flight operations cost per seat mile is still WAY low.. We make good bucks, but we have to earn it..

Just got back from recurrent training and Southwest is very much convinced


So ...If they are very much convinced that you need to take a pay cut, will you be so receptive to their opinion? If so,to what degree?

 

[ron burgundy]

Oh yeah....and I'm jealous................YADA,YADA,YADA

 

[Sandhawk]

Only airline to Taxi still with BOTH eng running. Really smart.

Well, yeah... You can accelerate out of the corner faster with both turning!

 

[4day]

Well, yeah... You can accelerate out of the corner faster with both turning!

Tru Dat, Tru Dat. Welcome to the A T L...