I had $12B in my mind, but that was due to the DEN SWAPA Rep who wrote the paper detailing GKs moves during his tenure. I'm an absolute financial moron (among other subjects), so I have to take KH's word when it come to reading/understanding SEC filings.
But yeah, need to keep the past in mind for context but I'm hopeful that the future bears fruitful changes.

I didn’t use a calculator but…https://ycharts.com/companies/LUV/stock_buyback

In my hastiness of response, I only looked back to 2018 when I typed in the annual report. Instead of typing 1998(which when I think they first authorized some buy backs). I only use SWA annual/quarterly reports when it comes to numbers like that. SWA does a pretty good job of summarizing all aspect's of the business with those reports. With the quarter just behind us, they authorized another 2.5 billion, so it's even north of that number. So Herb started it, GK kept it going and now BJ continues the tradition. With all that free cash flow generated for all those years, you think some infrastructure monies could have been used a little more wisely. It seems though even with Delta's meltdown, all these guys must all have the same school of thought. Invest in the front end stuff(IT wise) but invest as little in the backend stuff. Hence why some parts of the CBA can't be implemented till a later date. I'm not against buybacks or dividends. Thats part of being a public company. I know some think it should be illegal. It was long ago. In the end the companies that usually do a healthy dose of a good mix of buybacks/dividends, have long term investors holding on to the outstanding shares like Berkshire Hathaway back in the day. Which keeps hedge fund types like EM at bay. Unfortunately airlines are a not exactly a great return on investment long term compared to most other industries.

Rakesh is the new Chairman...

https://www.reuters.com/business/aer...on-2024-11-04/

That's just great! He "F'd up US Airways". Let's see how he can screw up LUV.

I don't know whether to laugh or cry. He has a proven track record of destroying good companies. Should be a great fit.

i don't know all of his history, but it looks like he built IndiGo into quite a player in the Asia market. He also doesn't have a hard-on for. 737s

Forgot about IndiGo. I guess there is that. He also did buy a huge chunk of SWA stock, which is good and bad.

at least we'll see some changes for better or worse

This 100 percent . WN main Focus is not going to pickleball and halloween .