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Factual Tidbits-

Southwest's first flight was June 18, 1971, after 5 years of legal wrangling with other airlines.

DFW opened in 1974.

Deregulation occured in 1978.

The Wright Amendment was slipped through Congress in 1979, in response to deregulation- "with the sole purpose of containing Southwest Airlines".

I'd say they've done pretty good with one hand tied behind their back. And even if it might of made sense 26-27 years ago, does it make sense now?

Sources:

www.southwest.com

www.fightwright.org

 

>>SWA reminds me of the person that moves next to an airport, and then complains about the noise. Love has had the wright amendment since DFW was born.>>

SWA was happy being a short haul carrier and as such they were happy with things the way they were with the Wright Amendment. What changed was not SWA's initiative or fault. What changed was the Legacy carriers in an admitted attempt to hurt SWA got the entire airline tax system changed from a percentage of the ticket price to a segment tax. What that did was place a disincentive on short haul flights and a cost advantage on long haul flights. In order to adapt to a program that it didn't want, SWA then had to get into the long haul business, and since long haul can't be done from Love, that is why they care about something now that they didn't before.
The segment tax was a stupid move by the legacies. What they thought would hurt SWA just awakened a sleeping new competitor.

 

I seriously doubt that Wright was passed "with the sole purpose of containing Southwest" as you point out. Wright was passed to force airlines to use the newly built DFW airport instead of the DAL. If DFW had failed to turn into a major hub, it would have had a serious economic inpact on the area. But the one thing that Southwest and all the other people fighting Wright fail to answer is why doesn't Southwest just move to DFW? I'm sure that they would be willing to give them a good deal on the Delta gates. And Southwest would probably make a killing going up head to head against AA.

 

You are joking, right???

The *only* reason AA is lowballing DAL fares is to force Southwest to DFW where they can throw the entire weight of them being an 800lb gorilla. More destinations, more connections, and one of the strongest legacies defending its fortress hub. You tell me what the outcome would be.

Besides, AA pilots are the SLOWEST taxiing out there. You think Arpey doesn't know this and expect his pilots to taxi at a c-r-a-w-l, slowing SWA down and causing delays?

 

Why doesn't SWA move to DFW- probably some of the same reasons they aren't at O'hare, etc. Their market is in downtown Dallas, the airport is closer in, etc. They typically, although not always, avoid major hub airports.

I don't think there is any doubt that SWA was targeted by the Wright Amendment- they were the only airline that met the criteria that was operating at Love.

DFW was a public works project (successful, I might add), but SWA has been and is treated unfairly at DAL because of the Wright Amendment.

 

SWA has been treated fair.
The rules ARE A LOVE FIELD THING.
If Scumball Air wants to move to DAL and fly 737 from there
the RULES ARE THE SAME.
Kinda tired of hearing that SWA is the Red-headed Step child
at Love field. Wanna fly long haul from Love field?

BUY 57 SEAT AIRPLANES!!!!!!!!!!

 

It doesn't?


You're right, I clearly mis-read your post - Please accept my apology.

 

Accepted. Thank you. Now if we can just get AV8R4aa to be as civilized as us....lol

 

"As silly as it sounds, we're not here to make a profit off this operation, we're trying to serve our customers," he said, adding later, "We're going after Southwest customers."

Can someone say "predatory pricing"?
Might be a lawsuit coming.

 

I say its good AA is finaly gonna go right after SW on their own turf. The legacy carries should gang up and rid the skies of these low cost carriers that have lowered the quality of air travel for years now.

Yah I dont know how the US government responds to "predatory pricing" but the canadian government wouldnt let Air Canada have any fares even a dollar below West Jet's. Even when Air Canada was in Bankcruptcy the government was saying Air Canada was being unfair to poor little west jet.