Bot999

You won't hear LGA ATC saying, "...ok everybody give way to Southwest."

Ferd149

I agree with Fatty here. I remember an interview with Herb on 60 minutes years ago. The lady interviewing him said something along the line that, you don't have the trouble with on time and operations because you don't do winter stations or busy airports.

Herb's comeback was............quote......."what's your point"? With his usual big laugh.

C5Guy

This speaks volumes. I don't think there are enough "smaller" cities left to continue in that direction. Which is why you've seen DEN, SFO, PHL, MSP, and now perhaps LGA. I'm not aware of us going to a hub and spoke system. I would rather the company grow into other markets than to just sit on the 63 cities we are at and say, "that's good enough".

Herkulesdrvr

Lets face it people, swa will be productive whether they go to LGA or not. Its not like they are going to have 100 flights a day, it would be a small station as they are not going to get many slots to begin with.

I sense a great deal of jealousy when I read some of the comments made about SWA on this subject.

CanyonBlue

I don't think 7 flights a day in and out of LGA is going to be a deal breaker for SWA. From the reservations side, the SW customers have been requesting LGA for years.

I think there will be money to be made...

johnso29

I agree. In order to retain/grow, you have to give your customers what they want. If that means entering places like LGA, JFK, EWR(eewww) then it must be done. And to stay on time, just do what the Legacies do. Overblock the crap out of it. You'll be early A LOT.

iaflyer

No, I disagree with you about this thread. I think there is some of that in other postings but not in this thread. SWA always talks about keeping their airplanes moving and avoiding airport with delays. For SWA, an airplane sitting at a gate, in line or holding at another airport for the EDCT into LGA to come up costs them money.

LGA is all about delays. I've sat in the line at LGA, and not moved for 45 minutes. LGA wreaks havoc on other airlines schedules and I think it will be no different for SWA.

My suspection is that SWA will either sell the gates for big bucks to someone else, or operate for a short time, then pull out, saying the delays are too bad and then sell the gates.

SWA already serves Philly, so that covers S. Jersey. They serve Islip, so that covers Long Island. I would expect them to go to Stewart to cover N. Jersey and Northern NYC/Westchester.

alvrb211

Looks like SWA are changing their model but that's what successful firms do.

SWA were supposed to take delivery of 100 new aircraft between 2007 and 2009. Clearly that was revised and they are looking at other moves.

Nothing is for certain but it will be interesting to see how the industry pans out in 2009.

AL

captscott26

...and thats on a good day!

AirbusA320

I thought SWA liked small off the way airports because of the low costs to use such facilities. LGA is a high cost operating environment. A don't think they will be able to do 30 minute turn arounds.