And a follow up to your original post:
Here's the thing, we are moving towards SWA productivity without SWA pay or scope.

http://themetapicture.com/media/funn...-excellent.jpg

With the fleet growing 30 jets beyond what we had at the merger, I just can't imagine not hiring in 2014. Then again, I couldn't imagine not hiring in 2013 either...

What if it's just flows in 2014?

Hmm true... At least it would be new bodies.

The thing about growing to 800 mainline jets from where we are plus with DCI@450 jets (which we know it won't be below that number) is that it'd require capacity growth.

I mean 1%-1.5% per year in domestic growth maybe? I just don't see us doing it unless they just think the year after next will be better. Kind of like free beer tomorrow.

I think shrinking is what we've been doing for four years and what's in the cards for another few. I don't see any macroeconomic reason why we would change that vector. I think it's obvious their goal is not to be the biggest, just the best-ist at margin management.

What btw is the delivery schedule on the CRJ-900s? Because if we went to DCI@450 with the 70 increase in CRJ-900s, I could see how we would have a flat change or slight decrease in capacity this year without hitting mainline.

But if that DCI@450 is not happening this year, then I think the cuts will be on our side but I bet it's muddied. A 320 here or there, a couple 763 domestics, maybe an 88, maybe a few 757s... but hey look over there 3 717s and a 739!

BTW, interesting to read about the whole banks won't lend to the next Skybus type startup and thus we won't have to contend with that type of competition in the near future.

So for all of those who long for the days of a return to regulation, well, there ya go. Those left standing figured out how to return to regulation without the government with a healthy side of "don't touch my hubs or high margin routes" with even SWA joining the cabal. Free market at work. Maybe we never needed regulation in the first place.

But like anything if those ticket prices get too high, hello start ups partially funded by the manufacturers and encouraged by a pandering politician or two. Hence you keep raising RASMs to you hit that ceiling while you continue to drop the CASMs. To me there is no reasons they want to see insourcing or salary/benefits/work rule increases because those CASMs have to keep going down. Or flat. You can do flat, you give pay increases and then require fewer people, that helps keep cost increases flat.

Too much coffee? I think so. But what can you do when you get the last flight out of ATL with a half a dozen MELs and no FMS with a pseudo RNAV arrival and 100 knot crosswinds.

How about no autospoilers, no Autobrakes, no Autoland, no potable water, one main fuel pump out, and a loud drunk passenger arrested by airport police after our flight? (with everyone waiting around to write & sign official statements) That was my late night flight out of ATL.

So, you had a lot of coffee too?

Did you run out of Cognac and Breadsticks in First, also? :D

Cheers
George