Ouch. Wouldn't SWA competing with XJT be a really bad thing for XJT?

Could this be why Southwest decided to slow down hiring? I wonder how this will effect the future hiring at SWA?

We may have been commuters, but I bet that old contract and some of those pay rates would STILL be top tier in today's regional world. ;) Even WITHOUT an adjustment for inflation there JB ...

Truly sad for everyone ... :mad:

Later, Brown CC

Adjusted for inflation, just about every payscale in aviation from 20 yrs ago would put today's contracts to shame...

Adjusted for inflation, airfares from 20 yrs ago are at least twice what people are paying today...

When I was in school, about 40 years ago, a round trip ticket from ABQ to BWI on TWA cost me about $350. Adjusted for inflation, that is $2100 in today's dollars. I just looked up the same trip on SWA. It's $331.

Thanks for your thoughts. I disagree with your feelings on experience though. I also know people who work for 'majors' who have less experience than I have.

You are right that the planes are small and uncomfortable. The Embraer 170-190 series is a huge improvement in comfort and passenger convenience. No argument from me there. But so many people take it out on the crew members of the small airplanes. I didn't choose them? Mostly it is the larger 'mainline' airline that has caused these things to come into existence.

Believe me, I would like nothing more than to see my despised CRJ find a nice home in the desert somewhere! :D

But please, don't patronise the crews. It's really not their fault.

Also, with Southwest having one type (737) on their books, it seems to be a no-brainer to keep things the way they are. Money saver and money maker, all in one.

Something's gotta be working over there for them...

they may be doing something right, but they sure dont have a lot of confidence from their investors. LUV stock price is so low probably because it appears theyre taking a slow and steady approach and not playing too much with their cash on hand and many investors want to see aggressive strategies especially when theres money available to do so. maybe thats where this RJ idea came from?

Apparently, the only two carriers that are in the "hunt" for this flying is Pinnacle and SkyWest. Both operate CRJ's, so they would have to bring on a new fleet if the 190 is in fact the airplane in discussion. I can't see any way that Southwest would farm out flying to a regional/commuter/whatever airlines. But hey, I am sure Unted, USAir and Delta guys never thought that the CR9 would be flying the MD-88 routes...

My two cents on this.... This is the first time I read a Southwest/RJ rumor that sounded plausible to me. I was wondering how long it would be before XJet attracted a competitor.