Originally Posted by GolfKilo73

Oscar,

You are partially correct about the volume argument in Alaska, except for the fact that no other airline (including SWA) could offer reliable service to places we go in Alaska. To say it is simply a matter of volume is a drastic oversimplification. Southeast Alaska is probably the best, but not the only, example of where communities in Alaska have expected a high level of reliability that other airlines would not be able to match. I'm sure you've heard of RNAV RNP procedures. This allows us to get into places, especially SE, all year long while other NON-RNP capable aircraft and flight crews go missed and never get in. We've had RNAV RNP mastered for more than a decade, while other airlines (including SWA) are just beginning to think about it or develop procedures to implement it. Just two years ago the FAA came out from D.C. to ride in our jumpseat through SE Alaska to see what this RNAV RNP "magic" was all about. How it lets you fly down mountain valleys to near ILS minimums, all in weather and turbulence that sometimes requires you to pull the seat cushion out of your @ss at the end of it.

It's not a simple matter of getting your aircraft equipped and capable, it's a matter of training each and every pilot in very specific procedures...a huge task for a larger airline. Also it is my understanding that Alaska developed and ownes the RNP procedures throughout Alaska. I could be wrong on some of the details, but it's not like some airline can get RNP approval from the FAA, then just set up shop using the procedures in Alaska. Plus, and here is where you are correct about volume, Alaska would put so many flights on the competing destinations and operate it far more reliably that it would drive the major competitor out. Alaska would defend this territory like a mother bear defends her cubs.

I'm not bashing SWA airlines in any way (I have a lot of friends that works there), but it seems that some people that work there assume that SWA can move into any market at any time and dominate simply because it's the indomitable SWA. The only way another airline could operate like we do in our "bread and butter" market is to buy us and operate us as a seperate entity. Not real likely in the foreseeable future.