YAKflyer

You couldn't be more wrong, the hub and spoke system is grossly more inefficient than point to point systems which is exactly why SWA can do well with lower load factors. Hub systems could actually transport a passenger twice as many miles to their destination as a point point carrier for the same price (example STL-BWI, SWA non-stop; DAL STL-ATL-BWI). Additionally the point to point carrier only touches luggage twice. Once to put it on and once taking it off. Hub carriers have to have armies of rampers and agents to exchange luggage and work gates for connections. The hub carrier touches the luggage two additional times for every connection the passenger makes. That is also why any point to point carrier should be able to win baggage handling stats hands down. The hub carriers have fortunes invested in hub facilities that point to point carries do not have to fund. Hub carriers have to time flight schedules for connections which cuts down on daily aircraft utilization. There can be no comparison, other than airplanes they are two different animals.

quimby

yup......what he said. at least it was a few years ago, but I'm no tax expert.

quimby

Let me get this straight. Efficiency = High Load factors? You are oh so, very wrong. How do you explain it when companies have record load factors, yet still lose money? We're all waiting.

SNAFU

That might just take the cake for the most ill-informed post of the century. I guess those 30 years of continuous profits at SW have nothing to do with the efficiency of point to point service?

In fact, I would argue that it is precisely because of their point to point service that SW has enjoyed those years of profit.

Sure they do great with fuel hedging and the ingeniously stick to one type of aircraft, but their wages are on par with everybody else's now and you still see them posting a profit every quarter.

Must just be pure fng magic because there's no way that ole point to point service could be more efficient than having half your fleet holding over Rome intersection at 9am on a beautiful Tues morning waiting to get into that super efficient hub in Hotlanta.

Yeah, I'd go for that ole hub and spoke any day as a pax, because I LIKE changing planes in ATL. That really shortens my trip and makes my travel day more efficient.

I don't think so.

maddogmax

Another Perspective! If you are fling in CONUS then Point-to-Point is the way to go. However, the next time you want to go to London, Paris, Tokyo or Singapore call Southwest and see if they can help you. International Carriers must use Hub and Spoke since you cannot fill up a A330 or777 from Grand Rapids to Frankfurt. Just a thought!

maddogmax

Before the spelling cops get on my case, It should be flying.

BoxFlyer

Take the first company that offers you a job and class date. Assuming that the second one offers you a job, then make the command decision to stay or go. It's a tough decision but cross one bridge at a time.

Southwest is a great company with a super attitude. UPS is very profitable, they've been moving boxes for a very long time and will be here for the next million years.

OscartheGrouch

MDM,

You are absolutely correct! For now! I asked a question of SWA's CEO a few years ago. What does one do with 750 737's? What would most airlines do? Feed international routes! Any questions?

JetJocF14

Definetly got to take the job that will put food on the table and the ability to pay the mortage. That sounds like you need to go to SWA. If you get the call to go to UPS and that is truly want you want out of life than go ahead and switch. It happens all the time. Best of luck to you.................

CargoBob

Kick the crack addiction...SWA is not going international...it would wreck havoc on the efficiency/quick turn thing ya'll got going. Try quick turning an airplane while waiting 15-30 minutes for the TSA/DHS/Customs & Immigration morons.

I'd vote UPS...could you tell?

The international rumor is to keep the embry riddle/commuter geeks excited about the future of flying to Europe in a 787 w/SWA on the tail. Can you imagine spending your life as a professional pilot and never leaving CONUS????