Originally Posted by
WHACKMASTER
I don’t wish you or any of your brethren ill will. Here’s the reasons why SWA is going to Hawaii as stated numerous times by the company:
1. To give our Rapid Rewards pax the ability to use their points on a Hawaiian vacation (as is available on DLA, AA, UAL, etc.).
2. To support the “California Strong” initiative
3. The point that most everyone is missing is that we are carrying a lot of pax to California where they then connect to HAL (& Alaska) and fly to the islands. Therefore we are basically feeding the competition as they take our pax to the islands instead of us doing that for them.
4. Inter-island fares are high and SWA realizes they can go in and make a legitimate play for some of that market.
I sincerely hope there’s enough pax and revenue to go around for all of us but because of a combination of points 3 & 4 I just don’t see this as being a good thing for HAL airlines. Kind of like the Spirit build up in BWI is not good for SWA. Nature of the industry though.
It makes sense. I say the same thing about AS feeding every airline that takes our pax continuing on to international destinations. Personally, I think the competition will put a fire under our managements *** and hopefully they’ll make some meaningful changes. Much like Delta’s growth in SEA caused us to grow at an expedited rate from ‘13-‘17. My post is directed at those from both camps (AS and VX), that sound like morose, goth clad, teenagers with Smashing Pumpkins and Nine Inch Nails posters on their bedroom walls. “Everything sucks always and my parents just don’t understand me!” Guys n Gals are getting wound way too tight about things that pilots have nothing to do with. I do feel terribly bad for our East Coasters with an impending base closure. I’ve been in their shoes. I was West Coast based and during the recession, base closures forced me to commute transcon to the East Coast for years. Maybe WNs growth out west will spur AS to grow out East in turn helping our pilots out there. Just a thought.