Originally Posted by pilotpayne

So you are telling me this was Parkers plan all along?
1 Refuse to give up slots
2 Know that the DOJ will block it.
3 go to court with a strong case
4 beat the DOJ and keep all the slots?

Wow if that was his plan he is one smart guy.(I do think he is smart)
He knew from the start DCA slots would be important thats why he went on and on about direct service and all that.
Look guys you have to play the game I hope you guys do merge its better for all airlines and unless Blue opens a base in DCA I could care less if we get more slots.
Just don't act like Airways is protecting DCA and saving all the people there money. He does not want to give up any slots and even more to the point Airways wants as little compition out of DCA as thy can get so no they don't want the lcc's flying more shuttle flight or flights to FL. You can keep saying that the new AA will be a minority player in the DC market all you want but it comes down to is DCA is the only SLOT RESTRICTED airport in the area which the new AA would have an almost total lock on. If this was not the case than Parker wouldn't care about the slots.

And to lolwut
Why shouldn't they? They've acquired these assets over time, just like all the other airlines have acquired assets that help them further their business.

They use them to operate a hub. Having a significant portion of the flights out of an airport is just that, a hub. And a hub requires a minimum threshold to be profitable. You can't just chop away at it every time someone wants something. They have a competitive advantage there, just like other airlines have competitive advantages at other airports.

Its slot controlled......they have a competitive advantage because its slot controlled.....what do you not understand.
If it was dfw or den or clt nobody would care but if a new player can't get access its a problem. So lets say Delta buys jetBlue should they give up jfk slots or just be allowed to stick it to every passenger that wants to go to jfk because they own almost all the slots?

Like I said its nothing personal but I know by living in the dc area its all about DCA maybe when the train gets to IAD that might change but its all DCA.

And once more I hope you guys an pull it off its GOOD for jetBlue and for every other airline out there.....