GizmoNC

HOU pilot base could get larger if :

City conducting study to determine if international flights out of Hobby is a good idea | abc13.com

WHACKMASTER

I don't see UCAL's protest of this as anything more than political gamesmanship with the intent of defending their Latin American flying out of IAH. You know what? Good, I'd do the same if I were them. With that said, can any UCAL pilots give us their opinion on this? I mean, would HOU having Latin America flying really "split" the city of Houston as Gordo claims in the article? I just don't see it, but would like to hear other's opinions.

uaav8r

Ok, I'll bite. Sure it's political gamesmanship. My LCAL co-workers have had that market cornered for quite some time. Would LUV take away customers? You bet. Mostly the point to pointers, aka the "locals". Cancun spring breakers and the such. Thing is, the $$$ comes from the real international cities: HKG, NRT, LHR, PEK...and the connecting traffic they bring. Truth is, CUN, PVR and the likes are frequent flier redemption destinations filled with the Mileage Plus crowd. I realize LUV is now an international flag carrier with their recent "purchase", but it is a fledgling one at best. So welcome to the international arena LUV. Just remember,..the more you become like us...THE MORE YOU BECOME LIKE US! Be sure to secure an adequate rest seat in first class for the IRO/"bunkie" when you start flying your guppies long haul!

CRJAV8OR

I think the city council will be persuaded by their constituents that more competition in the international arena will be a good way to increase options and lower fares. Of course the firmly entrenched airline will fight this, that's the way it works.

CRJAV8OR

Mayor Parker Takes Jab at United Airlines on Twitter

Updated: Monday, 19 Mar 2012, 6:03 PM CDT
Published : Monday, 19 Mar 2012, 6:03 PM CDT

HOUSTON - With United Airlines and Southwest Airlines in a serious battle over the city's international air travel business, Mayor Annise Parker chose an interesting time to take a shot at the larger airline.

Southwest wants to build a new international terminal at Hobby Airport, and United is already building a new terminal at Bush. United wants Bush to remain the city's main site for international flights and does not want the Southwest terminal built.

Both airlines are lobbying city leaders to their points of view.

With all that going on, Parker sent out this tweet early Saturday morning:

"Just landed from spring break trip with girls. One and-a half hours late leaving Houston and eight hours late coming back. Great merger, United!”

Neither airline has responded to the mayor's comment.

Read more: Mayor Parker Takes Jab at United Airlines on Twitter

sovt

Anyone remember the Mayor of Pittsburgh, with much fanfare, drove over to CLE to fly Southwest and crowed as to how cheap the fare was? Anyone been to PIT lately, its a ghost town. How many thousands of jobs vaporized in the region. These political nitwits really ought to remember who is funding their towns.

ewrbasedpilot

While going "international" MIGHT be a wise move, it is VERY EXPENSIVE. Fuel upwards of $5.00 a GALLON at many destinations makes making a profit MUCH HARDER. Coupled with delays, immigration, Customs, (ALL SWA pilots will require passports if they don't already have them), etc. It's not as glamorous as it sounds. Don't know how many flights I've had that were delayed because the "inbound" was stuck in limbo waiting for the inspectors to come check the plane out..........and your being late is NO CONCERN of theirs. SWA might want to rethink this. Remember 9-11? We had planes stuck all over the world, and it wasn't cheap putting up thousands of passengers in $400 a night rooms...............for three or more days! I remember SWA eeked out a small profit right after that while the majors took a major bludgeoning. Sometimes it's best to stay where you're comfortable. JMHO

Woodbourne

One more step complete

Southwest Plan Advances for Flights Abroad at Hobby- Bloomberg

OnTheKlacker

Here are a few sentences from a Forth Worth paper some 6 years ago... funny how history repeats itself.

FORT WORTH STAR TELEGRAM
Three North Texas House members, including Rep. Kay Granger, R-Fort Worth, will testify on the Wright Amendment on Thursday during Senate hearings on the law that restricts Dallas Love Field service.

Granger is firmly in the "Wright is right" camp, while the views of the other two House witnesses -- Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Dallas, and Rep. Jeb Hensarling, R-Dallas -- strongly oppose each other.

Hensarling is a co-sponsor of the "Right to Fly Act," which would repeal the Wright Amendment, the law that restricts service from Love Field to points within Texas and seven states. The congressman, elected in 2002, said Transportation Department data show that North Texans pay one-third more for long-distance travel than the national average.

But Johnson, who has Love Field in her district, views it as a local issue and has threatened to introduce legislation to shut down the close-in airport if Wright is repealed.

"This is a divisive debate that could and should be avoided," Johnson said. "This is also an issue best resolved locally. ... This balance between our two airports has served the North Texas community well."

Fort Worth-based American supports the Wright Amendment as vital to the economic prosperity of D/FW and the North Texas region.

Love Field-based Southwest wants to expand its service without having to move to D/FW.

bearcat

Second! Enjoy the crap hole of Mexico. I hate flying down there.

I don't know whats worse...MEX or MTY. Have fun. Hopefully SWA will kcik us outta there.