SWA starting its INTERNATIONAL FOOTPRINT
03-24-2013, 08:16 PM
#51
Da Hudge
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: Poodle Whisperer
Posts: 17,473
DL fought SWA for years getting into ATL. SWA bought FL to get into ATL. Southwest bought FL to get into DCA. DCA is very slot controlled and when all those slots went on sale SWA did not bid as high as JetBlue. SWA bought FL due to organic growth, with the purchase of FL SWA grew 25% over night. If you think the 717 deal is over think again when DL takes the 717 they are going to need gates in ATL for them. The former FL gates only fit the 717 and not 737. So SWA might have leased them to DL but somewhere in the deal there has got to be gates for those 717 for DL and 737 gates for SW.
03-25-2013, 05:19 AM
#52
Line Holder
Joined APC: Mar 2011
Posts: 30
I don't work for AirTran or Southwest.
If you need articles from other sources, they're out there. But yes, it was because SWA needed instant access to the Caribbean/Hawaii. SWA hit a domestic organic growth wall.
Could they have grown into those markets on their own? Yes, but nowhere near as quick without the AT purchase. Lack of ETOPS approval, a modern day reservation system, and international ops specs are just a few of the hurdles SWA needed to clear on their own.
How long have Jetblue and Allegiant been in business? How long did it take either of them to figure out ETOPS, the Caribbean and so on and so forth?
We wanted to put a competitor out of business, pure and simple. Looks like it worked.
03-25-2013, 05:23 AM
#53
Line Holder
Joined APC: Mar 2011
Posts: 30
You are the one calling the AirTran pilots ungrateful. My point is, why should the AirTran pilots be greatful for something most of them did not want?
I guess all those AAI pilots that left to come here prior to acquisition (and let's not forget girls, it WAS an acquisition) and the 100's of AAI pilot apps on file at SWA were just a mirage.
It's a lovely story, and you tell it so well.
03-25-2013, 10:01 AM
#54
No longer cares
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: 767er Captain
Posts: 12,109
And in the course of doing so, you made a bigger one more competitive an stronger. (Think about where those high value customers that Air Tran had will be going.) We thank you for their business.
03-25-2013, 11:15 AM
#56
No longer cares
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: 767er Captain
Posts: 12,109
Not sure if that was aimed at me or not, but I couldn't care less about your jumpseat.... you don't go anywhere I need to go. But for those that do, I thank you.
Man crush... that's funny.
SWA are irrelevant
Man crush... that's funny.
SWA are irrelevant
Last edited by johnso29; 03-26-2013 at 06:55 PM.
03-25-2013, 01:33 PM
#57
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2010
Position: window seat
Posts: 12,534
It was however the best thing that could have happened to DL in ATL. If they do the same for us in NYC that would be even better!
03-25-2013, 03:25 PM
#59
No longer cares
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: 767er Captain
Posts: 12,109
03-25-2013, 05:24 PM
#60
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2007
Position: CA
Posts: 1,207
So, that's it! Poor little T-square has been sitting in front of the Christmas tree waiting for Santa to bring him an unprofitable Southwest. Wow, you've been waiting for 40+ years for the gift that has yet to arrive, you must have started this quest when you were a wee lad. Still waiting for the fall must really burn you up. I am sure when and if the fall comes you will be the head cheerleader toasting the misfortune of your fellow aviators. You seem like a real sweetheart.
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