Of which you have zero first hand knowledge but are not reluctant to provide your expert analysis.

For sure, I totally get that. I'm young and junior enough that working for a stronger company with job protections and work rules is worth getting hosed on an SLI. For people that are older and have more time invested at AS I 100% understand that it's a terrifying prospect.

Analysis? Yeah that was some deep analysis all right.

So we can't learn from history? No real stretch of the imagination that dis-similar unions are going to have less-predictable SLI outcomes. And then there was the whole tranny thing, not really in the spirit of Mccaskill-Bond, doesn't require any real expertise to call that one.

What's your point?

EDIT: Oh I got it now. A quick review shows that I had to give you several infractions for repeated insults and flamebait so you're lashing out. Better go easy.

Unless the total collapse of the airline industry continues, there is no way the DOJ allows LUV to buy ALK. How much overlap do the two airlines have? The entire west coast would be dominated by the new Southwest.

And what if the MAX never gets certified? Or what if it does get certified but requires a different type rating? That alone destroys the "1 type philosophy" at Southwest. Alaska would be foolish to get rid of its airbus before a decision is made on the max and Southwest would be foolish to buy an all 737 operator before a decision is made on the max. Even if there will be a bunch of used 737's on the market, they will be at a serious cost disadvantage when competing with NEO's and CSeries.

Southwest is much more likely to be allowed to buy Jetblue but they will wait for a decision on the MAX. I pray it doesn't happen.

Things which were inconceivable pre-covid may not be so inconceivable now.

But I agree that the recovery would have to be much worse than expected for something like that to be authorized.

Politicians have expressed clear disapproval for rushed mergers via the CARES act.

Yet one more example of how screwed up this board really is.

Just to play devil's advocate... the west coast airports aren't slot controlled (well, SNA, LGB, but those are minor players here). With the travel downturn we are seeing gates becoming more available in LAX/SFO so where would there be a case for the DOT/DOJ to deny? Airtran+SWA combo dominated BWI and the DOJ didn't care.

VA's yields were garbage compared to Alaska's.

You missed the point. The most loyal VX Californian customers with high disposable income left to other airlines once the garbage product of Alaska was introduced. The economy of California is massive, and the Angle lake arrogance destroyed the chance they had of capturing California. Everything since has been a pullback to SEA and a general failure of the "Most West Coast" strategy.

Things must be getting back to normal...


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