SWA wants to fly from HOU to MEX and SouthAmerica

[scoreboardII]

And he also knows if he has to park airplanes right next to us and sell directly against us, he might not win. That is what this is about.

What part of this math don't you understand:

UAL CASM 2011 12.97.

LUV CASM 2011 12.41

Thats not only a win, it's a slaughter.

 

[Flopgut]

What part of this math don't you understand:

UAL CASM 2011 12.97.

LUV CASM 2011 12.41

Thats not only a win, it's a slaughter.

What you don't get: Customers will pay more to ride on us. We offer a better product. Our frequent flyer program has 100 times more options (and you just recently cornholed your Rapid Rewards customers). We are reliable in Central and South America; A known quantity. Customers in this part of the world still appreciate these things. They don't want their cabin crew wearing shorts and telling jokes. Believe it or not, they don't really appreciate much levity in Caracas, Venezuela these days. Especially from loud Americans. Flying airplanes is considered pretty serious business.

This is another reason GK is running away from us. He doesn't win in a direct comparison. He wants to differentiate the SWA product primarily by distancing himself from competition.

What amount of this that does go on is something these countries want to see their own LCCs thrive at. It will be a shock to you, but the table will turn on you and the favor will be going the other way.

 

[texman]

What you don't get: Customers will pay more to ride on us. We offer a better product. Our frequent flyer program has 100 times more options (and you just recently cornholed your Rapid Rewards customers). We are reliable in Central and South America; A known quantity. Customers in this part of the world still appreciate these things. They don't want their cabin crew wearing shorts and telling jokes. Believe it or not, they don't really appreciate much levity in Caracas, Venezuela these days. Especially from loud Americans. Flying airplanes is considered pretty serious business.

This is another reason GK is running away from us. He doesn't win in a direct comparison. He wants to differentiate the SWA product primarily by distancing himself from competition.

What amount of this that does go on is something these countries want to see their own LCCs thrive at. It will be a shock to you, but the table will turn on you and the favor will be going the other way.[/QUOTE


Uniform change recently just not all have them. Nice dress and shirts/slacks. I will say we have you guy's beat on the customer service! Big time!

 

[Flopgut]

Good article from today. KHOU TV in Houston....

http://www.khou.com/news/local/United-vs-SouthwestAirline-execs-flock-at-City-Hall-147667505.html

by Doug Miller/ KHOU 11 News
khou.com
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 6:12 PM
Updated today at 6:13 PM




HOUSTON--Airline executives packed Houston city council chambers Monday as aviation officials formally presented their hotly contested recommendation to allow international flights from Hobby Airport.　
Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly sat in an audience crowded with lobbyists and consultants involved in the high stakes fight.
United Airlines—the city’s dominant air carrier, which hubs international flights out of Bush Intercontinental Airport – is fighting Southwest’s effort to fly international routes out of Hobby.　 United has hired a number of former top level city officials to help lobby against Southwest, arguing that the proposal would force United to cut flights and jobs in Houston.
Testy council members peppered the aviation director with questions about his department’s economic impact studies, challenging his data and his conclusions.　 Their sometimes angry comments made it clear that Southwest’s plans for Hobby won’t happen without a fight.
"I really can’t believe these numbers," said City Councilmember Andrew Burks, who questioned the $110,000 cost of the report presented to city council.
Houston’s aviation director concluded that Southwest’s proposal would lower air fares, create more than 10,000 jobs and generate an economic impact of more than $1.6-billlion a year.　 But United has challenged those numbers, arguing the proposal would hurt Bush Intercontinental and create a net loss of jobs.
"I don’t believe the assumption that jobs will be lost," said Mario Diaz, Houston’s aviation director.
The proposal would cost all passengers flying out of Hobby an additional $1.50 per ticket.　 That fee would pay for a $100-million bond issue, which would bankroll the expanded federal inspection services necessary for handling international flights.
Many council members were visibly angry with the way the proposal was handled, arguing that the aviation director had reached a conclusion without adequately consulting with all the people involved.　
"You all have blown it, in my view," said Councilmember C.O. Bradford.　　 "This roll out has simply been a disaster."
A number of council members echoed United’s argument that international flights from Hobby would pit the city’s two airports against each other and weaken Bush Intercontinental.
"I feel this report was custom made just to satisfy the needs of Southwest Airlines," said Councilmember Al Hoang.
Houston’s mayor and city council will vote on the proposal next month.

 

[redflyer65]

And in a VERY short period of time, SIX...yes SIX negative comments about how United is most likely playing dirty politics in trying to keep their Houston monopoly alive.

Now why would they be fighting so hard for this? No competition is a wonderful thing if you can keep it.

 

[Flopgut]

YGTBSM Red: It's your own study that is in question!! You asked HAS for it, and you probably "paid" for it ($110 grand)?! Claims 1.6 billion dollars a year and 10,000 jobs!? HAS' Diaz backs it up and hasn't read it or run it up the flagpole?!

Come on dude? This is real sloppy...

*edit* And what's up with the bond to pay for this? I thought SWA was cutting a check?

 

[redflyer65]

Flop, get a grip dude. I didn't make the comments, the people of Houston did. UCAL is pushing hard to keep their monopoly, simple politics.

 

[Flopgut]

K. You read the six comments. Did you read the article? The city council is not impressed with what appears to be a bunch of BS. You got to admit, this is pretty sloppy for SWA....

 

[waveflyer]

I love it. You are "resentful" the City of Houston might want to have a say in how things get done in Houston?! I think you should send that into the Chronicle. Let Houstonians know that you don't think they are equipped to run their city.

IAH is not a congested airport. It's the 7th largest in the US and it has almost zero delays by comparison. That is just you blurting out the normal SWA BS-speak.

Kid, I've flown more flights out of IAH than I can count- and though it's no OHare, I've sat in the Congo line for many hours there.
It's not just delays- its location- what's the average drive time to downtown or the galleria from IAH- :30-1:00 depending on traffic? And forget about the south of Houston towns

Do you know how many business people we fly out of Houston where flights out of IAH would add two hours to their day? Hobby is a good choice for us for many reasons, but mostly bc it's what consumers want. Now most fly in fly out types are domestic, but we're in hobby bc we don't need or want IAH- we don't need widebody 12,000' runways, or the congestion of scheduling around your hub and spoke traffic jams-
now we want to operate internationally- do you believe in free market capitalism or not? This is an example of inappropriate government interference in the market- this isn't about houstonians deciding- this is about corruptible Houston politicians deciding FOR houstonians. The people of Houston can and should be able to decide with their wallets. Do you think it's reasonable or remotely realistic for swa to give up their hobby operation for the convenience of united? It's so arrogant its ridiculous.

 

[madjack]

If History is any lesson, the corrupt politicians will win...it's a tough business...this could get ugly...SWA needs to buy the pols like UCAL has...

 

[scoreboardII]

What you don't get: Customers will pay more to ride on us. We offer a better product. Our frequent flyer program has 100 times more options (and you just recently cornholed your Rapid Rewards customers). We are reliable in Central and South America; A known quantity. Customers in this part of the world still appreciate these things. They don't want their cabin crew wearing shorts and telling jokes. Believe it or not, they don't really appreciate much levity in Caracas, Venezuela these days. Especially from loud Americans. Flying airplanes is considered pretty serious business.

This is another reason GK is running away from us. He doesn't win in a direct comparison. He wants to differentiate the SWA product primarily by distancing himself from competition.

What amount of this that does go on is something these countries want to see their own LCCs thrive at. It will be a shock to you, but the table will turn on you and the favor will be going the other way.

Care to share where SWA is running away from? DEN? MDW? LAX?

This is why you don't get it, the folks who will fly us won't fly you at any price.

 

[texman]

This will start a international hub out of SAT, if this doesn't go through with HOU. Intrajet is already kicking Cal/UA azz (think which city has the largest, Money, Hispanic, Mexican, Latin, population.) SWA will serve the south out of TEXAS no matter if it is HOU, SAT or AUS.

 

[texman]

Hell we could do it out of HRL! Grab your margarita its on!

 

[waveflyer]

If History is any lesson, the corrupt politicians will win...it's a tough business...this could get ugly...SWA needs to buy the pols like UCAL has...

Just what the hell is up with Texas, supposedly conservative free marketers, always screwing around with their most successful airline, and arguably most successful corporation ? Setting false barriers to entry and attempting to control where southwest does business?? This is not capitalism folks.

Mad jack- I doubt we will pay off opportunistic council people- we'll exert pressure (herb is an advisor to presidents and has been for years), but if Houston council people are hell bent on protecting united there we will run extra flights to SAT and AUS and serve south of the border from there as Texman said-
It will affect us almost none- but Houston will lose-
International out of Texas is coming either way

Funny how bad the rap is about California from texans, but you don't see this blatant protectionist crap there.

 

[PCL_128]

This will start a international hub out of SAT, if this doesn't go through with HOU. Intrajet is already kicking Cal/UA azz (think which city has the largest, Money, Hispanic, Mexican, Latin, population.) SWA will serve the south out of TEXAS no matter if it is HOU, SAT or AUS.

Exactly. Houston can either get the economic benefits of allowing this at HOU, or they're going to lose the benefits to SAT or AUS. I'm sure they'll be happy to have us down there. After all, Gordy and Smisek haven't bribed enough politicians down there yet.

Houston: proof positive that people who call themselves conservatives don't understand capitalism.

 

[Flopgut]

Council rips study painting Hobby expansion as boon

Updated 06:50 a.m., Tuesday, April 17, 2012

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-t...study-painting-Hobby-expansion-as-3486551.php



In a three-hour grilling of Houston Airports Director Mario Diaz, council members complained that the numbers in the study strained credulity, that they were kept in the dark about Southwest's pitch for at least eight months, that airport officials have been condescending and that council and others should have been asked for input before Diaz recommended approval of the Hobby expansion.

United had, perhaps, its finest day in the war over Houston's skies as council members expressed skepticism and sometimes hostility toward a study done in two months for $110,000 that is to guide council toward what the mayor called a "historic decision" in which billions of dollars are at stake for Houston.
"What may be the largest issue perhaps of the century, you all have blown it in my view," Councilman C.O. Bradford told Diaz. "This rollout simply has been a complete disaster. I mean lack of transparency, arbitrary time lines, total disregard, disrespect for council. It's just unconscionable."
'Custom-made'?
Councilman Al Hoang said, "I feel that this report is already biased, it's already custom-made just to satisfy the demand of Southwest."
A council chamber gallery usually vacant for committee meetings was packed with operatives for both airlines, which have enlisted lobbyists, former city officials, attorneys and public relations professionals to make their case to the 17-member council. Monday's hearing suggested that United's efforts have gained more traction.
Councilman Andrew Burks questioned the numbers in the report and singled out a projected fare of $133 to Bogota.
"You can't even fly from Houston to Lubbock on Southwest for $133," Burks said. "I really want to just throw this proposal out the window because, right now, when I see numbers that can't match, it just don't work for me."
United is working up its own study on the impact of an international Hobby. The two airlines are scheduled to square off in presentations before council on May 8.
Councilman Larry Green called for a new study to be done by a consultant with no recent ties to the city.

 

[jonjuan]

It appears that many Houston city council members feel a bit hoodwinked by Diaz. Should be interesting going forward.

 

[redflyer65]

My favorite part of the entire article, at the very bottom...



"I don't know what another study would produce," Diaz said after the meeting. "The data, as another council member said, is the data."

Interesting indeed.

 

[Crash Pad]

I had no idea Texas was so progressive. Big government regulating the job creators. It's Obama on the ballot, it will really spice up the election when Texas goes blue.

 

[Jake Dawg]

Hey bud, perhaps you should look what SWA did to your proud UAL/CAL in DEN. The majority of your mainline flying is gone. And if you think your superior revenue will win out, didn't work too well in DEN. Check your data for a change.

DAWG

What you don't get: Customers will pay more to ride on us. We offer a better product. Our frequent flyer program has 100 times more options (and you just recently cornholed your Rapid Rewards customers). We are reliable in Central and South America; A known quantity. Customers in this part of the world still appreciate these things. They don't want their cabin crew wearing shorts and telling jokes. Believe it or not, they don't really appreciate much levity in Caracas, Venezuela these days. Especially from loud Americans. Flying airplanes is considered pretty serious business.

This is another reason GK is running away from us. He doesn't win in a direct comparison. He wants to differentiate the SWA product primarily by distancing himself from competition.

What amount of this that does go on is something these countries want to see their own LCCs thrive at. It will be a shock to you, but the table will turn on you and the favor will be going the other way.