Originally Posted by
flyguy81
So back in early 2010 the idiotic airport authority decided they were going to raise landing fees..because what are the airlines gonna do about it? Apparently they didn’t learn from PIT or CVG…
So AA said, “we’re not paying that”. STL said, “you will or you can leave”. AA said, “f$&@ you, we’re out”. I guess STL thought they were bluffing because after the AA press release was dropped announcing the massive reduction in service, STL went groveling back begging to keep service in exchange for a guaranteed landing fee rate. AA said, “we told you no, you said leave, so we did”.
So AA moved the majority of AA connection service to ORD and started bleeding down the TWA base. STL went to STL and offered a deal on landing fees if we increased service to cover some of the lost AA feed (ICT, MSP, MKE, TUL, etc). SWA agreed and the station grew like crazy.
Overcharging companies is what’s leading to the exodus from blue to red states. Then the local/state govt is in a pickle due to decreased revenue. They can either double down and hope others don’t leave or suck up their mistake and lower prices.
You had me until you started making it political. The biggest and bluest state in the country is largely responsible for the existence of the company that we work for. I don't live there nor do I desire to. I am just keeping it real.
Economics will always win. St Louis used to house a huge manufacturing economy and was a solid middle class town full of people who had the means to buy a house, raise a family, and take a vacation every year. They lost that and the airport lost their hub airline at the same time. SWA needs STL and vice versa. I doubt they care what political flavor the politician with their hand out is backing.