Originally Posted by
gloopy
Your POV would be outstandingly accurate…if…pilot bases were a massive, almost primary, reason for the profit disparity you mention. I don’t think that’s a reasonable overall all take.
Instead I think it’s 99.7812% hub build outs including a main hub in the most efficient airport in the galaxy, AmEx, MRO, Trainer (hoping to trigger ppl with that one but it’s true regardless), HVC rewards, the overall network, and yes even customer service, jaded pilot IROP comments notwithstanding, etc. Us not having a NB base in BOS is not what keeps us from mirroring the numbers you mentioned. I hope you don’t actually believe that and we're just being facetious.
I don't believe our choice in pilot bases provides all our profits. But my point to you was.. don't look at how other airlines do things to say we should do it here. We make money (a metric *hit ton) because the entire airline makes choices that add up to maximize profit. Other airlines make some pretty bad choices and they are losing money.. in JB's terms.. an incredible ton. I'd be worried if I was working there. A large downturn in the economy because of a war... well.. look who went under in 1990-91..
Would I prefer the base 30 minutes from my house have WB flying? Sure.. but Networks put the airplanes where it's most profitable and apparently this base is not it.