Crisp

I read these boards with great interest and some sadness. The airline industry is just the latest industry to be hosed by "management". I could tell stories, but it's an airline board. There has to been some truth that SW and JetBlue are succeeding part because the have decent labor/management relations. I just about blew my morning coffee through my nose when I read the Delta management defending their management compensation.

It's criminal (or I guess-should be); the way pensions have been effectively dissolved. Yet management walks away with a golden parachute big enough to retire on. Hiring Don Carty? Knowing what he did at AA, it's a complete turn-off for me, even if it means giving up a Virgin ride. When I fly SW, while it's still business, I get the feeling labor and management have a mutual respect for each other. I think it shows in their success.

I guess I'm tired of reading about how SW's fuel hedging is unfair and they are "damaging" the industry- when in fact they are competing very well in an ultracompetitive industry. So for JetBlue and their pilot contracts. I used to besmirch my lower end competition, now I sell for them. Why? They are agile, responsive, and offer the same thing at a more competitive price. I make more money because of those traits.

I'll close with this. I don't begrudge anyone making the most they can make- in any field- but at some level the ability to earn is market driven.