Originally Posted by
djrogs03
I wonder how cheap the ATL to other Hub routes for DAL will get? I can't see DAL making money when you got LUV 737's competing against a 767 to SLC or 757's to MSP & DTW
Not sure I get that unless you are looking at hourly operaitng cost as the measure which it isn't. Lowest CASM in our fleet our 753s not our 737-700s. And a route like a ATL-SLC is packed out with heavy equipment doing it.
Originally Posted by
LuvJockey
Didn't the original slot compromise from Delta/LCC involve selling some slots to AirTran? That plan might get SWA approval now. I wonder if SWA already has agreed on a price to buy the other slots from Spirit?
Yep. But I'm sure DAL could move it back to a straight slot swap with LCC given new evidence that the DOT's requirements for divesture to SWA are no longer necessary.
Originally Posted by
mesasurvivor
Anyone who follows the industry knows that Southwest has been eyeing AirTran for a long time for alot of different reasons.
Check
Originally Posted by
mesasurvivor
2. As far as competition, DAL has nothing to worry about with Southwest purchasing Airtran. Yes, there will be increased competition in ATL because of the greatly expanded route map that Southwest brings to the table, but Delta is a very strong competitor & both airlines can expect to reap benefits of increased passenger flow due to increased fare competition (Southwest effect). Nobody is going to win....nobody is going to lose. Everyone is going to be busier!
^ spot on. AirTran had drawn down there flights, now they can draw them back up again.
But AirTran has been here for a while and DAL has been dealing with them. Now that the paint changes on the plane the real competition begins this time not in the timetables or the ramp or in the air but in DAL's marketing and operations. This is why I see a silver lining in this as the competiton will only make Delta a better airline, and probably feistier and snap some people on the front lines out of their inattention to detail.
Originally Posted by
mesasurvivor
5. Pilot wages....the AirTran folks will now have a contract (SWAPA) that provides pay greater than their comrades across the ramp at DL and benefits that far exceed what they care currently making.
If the competion in ATL is making higher than DAL, thats only a good thing for DAL.
Originally Posted by
mesasurvivor
Both companies have been financially succesful in an era where almost EVERY one of it's competitors (Delta, Northwest, United, USAirways, etc. etc.) and ESPECIALLY their employees went through the meat grinder of bankruptcy.
Here is the warning, you're about to go from 5 legacy carriers to 3. That means a lot more competition can be focused on competition while there is a mutual respect for capacity discipline between the legacies in each others back yards. Lessons learned, for now. That might change.
Originally Posted by
ewrbasedpilot
So I guess all the B-717 pilots have to go buy a type rating now?????
Why does SWA still do that? I don't get it.
Originally Posted by
Dash8widget
Doesn't AirTran have a business class section on their planes? Unless SWA plans on changing its MO, the big drop in the number of business class seats in the ATL market could be a good thing for DAL.
Good question.
Originally Posted by
Gear Down
I would not want to be a new hire (or still under probation) at AT. Plan on going back to Obama Care and the soup line looking for a job.
You don't have to go on Obama Care until your sick, right?