The company hasn't retreated from DEN at all outside of how they position crews on originators. They aren't dumb. If we were to give up a gate in Denver, it would be immediately leased by another airline and not given back ever. Denver clearly isn't a priority as far as new traffic and routes, but I would honestly say they are just running it smarter than they have in the past. As a long time former Denver commuter, it's sad for me, but I don't fault them for making a smart business decision. AW is trying to get away from the SWA model of originating a plane at 5am with 40 pax on it and taking it to an outstation to start the day. That is just dumb. Nobody wants to fly at 5am, especially at an airport that takes over an hour to get to the gate, but that plane needs to get moving and get off the gate for the next wave of originators/early connects. Better to position that plane at an outstation and originate it there.

But yeah, rock the Rockies was stupid. The company loves a good slogan with empty words and a few lanyards. I was sad for the VP of helium balloons when it kind of unceremoniously wound down and I feared for their job. After doing some Hawaii flying, though, I see they just shifted their good deeds a few time zones. Their budget has to be one of the highest in the company.