A common tactic when someone simply cannot refute the message is to ignore the message entirely and personally attack the messenger.
It's the DFW airport administration that wants SWA to come there, not AMR. AMR wants SWA to stay federally hobbled at Love. AMR must wince every time DFW makes another sweetheart offer to SWA. The best option for both carriers and the flying public to let each airport and airline to do their respective thing at each airport like is done very successfully for all, at Chicago.
SWA will most likely win the WA war and do just that, and both airlines will do fine. But if not, they will all of a sudden take DFW up on all their freebies and roll into DFW with a vengeance and perform a Texas style whoop assing on AA. SWA could sell every seat for $20 for years without any pain. AA would be BK in months, if not weeks.
There is no possible way to beat a competitor that has lower costs, lower debt, about a 10 billion dollar difference between respective profits and losses over the last few years, hasn't crashed several airplanes, and can borrow with an investment grade credit rating while you have to borrow, if you can find a lender, at junk rates.
Compared to their pathetic peers, AA has the best chance to return to their former glory, but the best way they can assure that is to ignore and let be the sleeping dog at Love.
Last edited by Widow's Son; 10-11-2005 at 06:30 AM.