Originally Posted by
Opus
Not to fire up the SWA masses but your fuel hedges will run out in 2010 and your competive advantage will be out next year. (I have previously posted SWA fuel hedge position so you can look under that thread.)
I guess I'd get fired up if you were correct but since you are WRONG, Perhaps I might educate you. SWA already has hedges through 2012.
Originally Posted by
Opus
Without doubt, SWA has the highest paid pilots/flight attendants (Have you seen what your senior f/as are making (I have, my neighbor is one) if not ask them and you will find that there are a good portion that are making 70-80K a year plus!
What's your point? Envy?
Originally Posted by
Opus
Ok, so what does SWA do? If you keep fares lower via your hedge advantage as in the past some airlines may go out of business but that makes the other airlines stronger or do you raise fares and build up your cash position? (If raising fares is possible without massive decline in load factor) but either way there will come a point where SWA will be at a competive disadvantage not to mention that SWA is 100% exposed to an ever growing weakening US economy.
Our CASM ex-fuel is still one of the lowest in the industry, so even without hedges, we still have an advantage. I don't think 67 consecutive quarters of profit is an accident. I think I'll stick to Gary and the team over your predictions.
Originally Posted by
Opus
I will SWA credit. It is the only airline out there that has not, as of to date, asked it employees for cash to help subsidize the business model. It is the only airline that has been consistently profitable. However, aren't you SWA guys a wee bit concerned at all?
That is perhaps because our business model includes paying our people well. You might be confusing hourly pay with labor cost. There are other variables that allow us to be well compensated .... namely productivity.
Hope this info helps you out with some of your misconceptions Opus.