Originally Posted by
Metal121
Many rumors are circling, but some words heard around the watercooler:
1. SWA is going international. And will probably crush that market.
2. SWA is considering upgrading to Wi-fi or something similar in all jets
3. SWA sees United as a lame duck (opened 3 bases around United dominated territory). Hmmm....United cant withstand a protracted war with SWA. Thats the bottom line. Operating costs are too high.
4. Buying another airline. Serious discussion is in the works.
Gary Kelly just met with Stockholders on June 2nd, and they want action. He agreed SWA has been holding territory the last 5 years, and now its time to go for the jugular. Cost contol is phenomenal, even with Captains making 350K a year.
So they just announced 3 huge announcemens will be made this year. First one in July timeframe.
Reminds me when at initial training someone asked a super smart bean counter at SWA what the company's 10 year goal is:
He laughed.
"To rule the world"
Never count an airline out when every person working there loves it, and will do anything to make it succeed. Its the SWA way of life...always has been.
Let's see if I can clarify:
---SWA is going international in 2008 via a code share with ATA.
---Yes, SWA is looking into wi-fi. They look into lots of things.
---SWA takes all competetors seriously. They are not "targeting" United.
---After Morris Air SWA said they'd never buy another airline. The hassles are too big and they have enough money to grow themselves.
---A handfull of captains make $350k at Southwest. The rest who just fly their line and go home make about $190k/year.
---No one I've met in headquarters would ever make such an arrogant statement such as "we're going to rule the world." That's B.S.
Bottom line: Southwest is struggling like ever other airline is right now. We're still making good profits but without serious change/adaptation we could go by the wayside as easily as anyone. Luckily our CEO has publicly said and written that he is not going after pay/benefits.....yet....(I added the yet part for effect, lol)
S.B.