Quote:
Originally Posted by Captain_Nameless
I really am not a Southwest basher. Never interviewed there, but it looks like it would be a ton a fun to work there.
However, it seems with oil heading higher and higher if you look at what Southwest has done--made air travel affordable for a such a huge number of people that could simply not afford it at all before there was a Southwest-- then how are these people going to pay when the hedging eventually escalates (and it will) to the breaking point?
I guess the question is, will the average Southwest passenger still be capable of paying in 3-5 years? Airplane travel is speed travel. There used a premium for speed. Southwest cut that premium. Will Amtrack and Greyhound resume their former more cost friendly place in the lives of the American traveller?
I think the smarter choice may be to go fly airplanes for the rich people. Someday soon they are all who will be able to afford flying again.
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Really, Southwest's service isn't any worse than any other airline and their ontime percentage is pretty good. Compare them to American, LAX to SAT - no pillows or blankets on either, drinks on both, Southwest is more likley to get you there on time - plus it's not like they've been "free" latley if you've looked at their prices.
Plus I know my Dad's used them for business travel where they've been the only direct flight in a market, and he/his company won't go international on US airlines because the service is subpar (I just got to watch him talk to his travel person because a flight he was on got delayed so he needed a new way to get to India, and it was pretty funny watching him say no to CAL and NWA) - so they are pretty picky. I guess the point I'm making is that when they have to best schedule or are the only dirrect flight (and they are to alot of airports) even the pickiest people will hop on SWA.