Originally Posted by
Smokey23
Serious answer. No where did I imply that this would happen soon. While things could get A LOT more grim before they improve, they WILL eventually improve and I'm not going out on much of a limb by saying SWA will be one of the survivors. When the industry has regained it's footing and a recovery has begun, THEN you can expect an acquisition. Clear as mud?
Possible, but you have to account for all that debt every airline is accruing now. Yes, those who go chapter 11 will be cheap, but who will be able to afford M&A? We're burning 20 million a day, and even with 15 billion in the bank, we will consume a big chunk of the money. Remember it's not our money, we have to pay it back (with interest). Do you really think that if we survive we will borrow more money to buy a bankrupt airline and attempt a messy and risky merger? These are unprecedented times, nothing that's ever happened in the history of aviation. There is no blueprint for the survival and recovery. Open your eyes people!