DJD,

Disregard the tone taken by my choice of calling you "sir" in a response to your post. I more appropriately should have included an emoticon (i.e. ) behind it, to relay the intent of it not being a "lecture" to you or anyone else on this board.

My intentions were to only offer an opinion of why I believe that SWA has an industry leading contract. Anyone can have their own opinion as to why, whether it be because "the other carriers are working in the concessionary contracts of their post-bankruptcy business plans", or because SWA unlike many other companies have retained an "atmosphere" with its labor groups. Like it or not, I would put money on the fact that a "greater percentage of SWA employees (read-agents, flight attendants, and pilots) are still more happy to come to work, than someone working for a legacy carrier who has "drug them through the mud" in bankruptcy filing.

This motivation alone gives the people of SWA and industry leading contract, not because they're paid more, get more time off, but again because of the "atmosphere and work environment" they report to each day. If you question their loyalty, try starting a thread on APC with a "bash" against SWA. See how many responses you get.

Again, not trying to lecture and not "discounting" your facts of everyone else working in a "concessionary contract". Just offering my opinion as to why I believe SWA has an industry leading contract.....................it is much more than what a person gets paid per hour. (Or per trip in their case.)

Vikings Fan