Originally Posted by
scambo1
To carry on the discussion in the same theme. Their music may have stopped, but ACL, SWA seems to me to have more political clout that DALPA, ALPA and DAL. And while your logic SEEMS sound on the surface, RESULTS are what matter.
Why is SWA so succesful in DC?
Pizza?
Money?
A low handicap?
I dont know. In a previous life, I worked at the highest levels inter-governmentally. Relationships do take time to build in a general sense. They take no time to build if you have something to offer...AND, to be effective, you have to have something they (the politicians) want.
SWA the airline has been successful because they marketed themselves as the underdog trying hard for a fair fight. Poor babies, but the poly worked for the last 15 years. SWAPA on the other hand not so much, and the distinction needs to be pointed out.
Going forward the love fest for SWA, the airline is waning. The papers and most pundits, except Clark Howard, are realizing that they have been suckered by perception of how cheap SWA. The WSJ and even the USA today have begun to take note of it. As a good airline CEO does, he has tried to get out in front of this issue. We saw that with the letter to their employees, but the real intended recipient was the people who have been enamored with a great marketing campaign who just had its curtains opened.
The whole "SWA effect" is a great case study though. It is a good one for ALPA and other airlines to employ. It does not have to be "true" in the purest sense of the word, it just has to be believed.
Oh and btw, we have something they want besides money, we have the ability to offer support for their candidacy when the run for reelection. That is huge and the WH is looking for that support next fall. 45,000 pilots strong is a huge voice and a huge backing to get. We did not support anyone last time, the President of ALPA did, but not ALPA, and the WH and the other elected officials are keenly aware of that fact.