Originally Posted by
CousinEddie
That vision you speak of is called a business plan. One that ensured that they could operate between any markets at a profit at fares that led to red ink for the higher cost competition. If SWA pilots had just flown airplanes without an understanding of the business plan, they would have demanded a Legacy style contract long ago: a pension plan, 78 hours of pay for 40 hours of flight time for the month, and on and on.
Unlike many of us legacy guys sitting around singing "Glory Days" as you say and telling the world with a couple of thumps to the chest that they're going to "take it back." Of course, not realizing in the remotest sense that the competitive business model has changed dramatically as your chart readily indicates.
I liken it to evolution...either adapt to the changing business environment and live...or go extinct.
You reason and write well.