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Old 12-01-2011, 10:04 PM
  #25  
sailingfun
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Joined APC: Feb 2008
Posts: 19,224
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Originally Posted by Opus View Post
Sailing you are right on many of your points. It wasn't until 2007 when SWA started raising fares that the industry rebounded. As to why every legacy carrier has hit bk one must conclude that the aviation system itself is a failure. Our industry faces more taxes, fees and burdens that surpass any other industry in our country and we operate in outdated inefficient ATC system that has yet updated. With Congress threatening to prohibit airlines from charging bag fees (SWA lobby for you) and no realistic energy policy in place that allows speculators to make millions on virtual oil while our costs go through the roof.
SW had no choice in 07. They had to raise fares or lose money. They actually taken big losses in hedges and had to cover the loss. I think that was the year that after killing every fare increase the majors tried to float for 4 years they led the industry in increases. Instead of killing them they were leading the charge for higher fares. The entire industry did well as a result.
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