No more ATA pax biz

[Velocipede]

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dl...NESS/801300418

So here's the scenario. ATA sells or closes its passenger operation. SWA loses its code share for Hawaii.

Another step closer to SWA buying/merging with another carrier.

SWA wants to go international as well (Canada/Mexico). Ask yourself who flies 737s, has a developed Mexico/Canada/Hawaii route structure and is ripe for the picking?

[EDUC8-or]

Originally Posted by Velocipede

Ask yourself who flies 737s, has a developed Mexico/Canada/Hawaii route structure and is ripe for the picking?

Skybus?

[Velocipede]

Somehow, I don't see SWA picking up an Airbus operator.

But, I laughed at your joke anyway.

[Cheechako]

I'm all for it if we get on the SWA payscale. . . and they keep the Anchorage thing going.

[Velocipede]

Since that's where Hawaii flying is, they'll keep it initially. Be ready to move or jump over to FedEx/UPS though, if you want to stay in ANC.

[wingnut]

Westjet?

[Velocipede]

I don't think they'll buy a foreign carrier.

[N826AW]

Alaska? They're gonna be all 737 soon. Many of them even have those pretty winglet things.

Doesn't surprise me that they'd get out of the passenger biz. They had a decent operation, but ultimately AirTran and Southwest had a hard-on for taking them out at Midway.

[Velocipede]

Originally Posted by N826AW

Alaska? They're gonna be all 737 soon. Many of them even have those pretty winglet things.

That's what I'm speculating. Alaska currently carries 5-7% of ALL U.S. traffic to Mexico. They serve YVR and have authority to serve YYC and YEG. Their Hawaii service is fully booked through sometime next year.

They'll have 116 737s and 1500+ 737 pilots by the end of the year. All of which can be fairly seamlessly assimilated by the SWA system. No problems with list mergers, since SWA isn't ALPA.

And there are persistent rumors about it on BOTH properties.

You never know.

[BobDDuck]

[surreal1221]

sure is purdy

[Nick]

And I said, I don't care if they lay me off either, because I told, I told Bill that if they move my desk one more time, then, then I'm, I'm quitting, I'm going to quit. And, and I told Dom too, because they've moved my desk four times already this year, and I used to be over by the window, and I could see the squirrels, and they were merry, but then, they switched from the Swingline to the Boston stapler, but I kept my Swingline stapler because it didn't bind up as much, and I kept the staples for the Swingline stapler and it's not okay because if they take my stapler then I'll set the building on fire...

[N826AW]

Originally Posted by Nick

And I said, I don't care if they lay me off either, because I told, I told Bill that if they move my desk one more time, then, then I'm, I'm quitting, I'm going to quit. And, and I told Dom too, because they've moved my desk four times already this year, and I used to be over by the window, and I could see the squirrels, and they were merry, but then, they switched from the Swingline to the Boston stapler, but I kept my Swingline stapler because it didn't bind up as much, and I kept the staples for the Swingline stapler and it's not okay because if they take my stapler then I'll set the building on fire...

Ummmmmmm Yeeeeeeeah, I'm gonna need you to come in on saturday, ummkay?

[Cruise]

.....and Sunday, too! We recently let some people go and we need to play catch up.

[Velocipede]

You got that right, Bob. They did it to Muse and they did it to Morris.

[EDUC8-or]

GoJet?

[Kristie]

no... office space duh!


kidding....

but we still do need you to come in on saturday... oh and on sunday too!

btw, i wonder just how many airlines are courting Alaska right now.....

[BobDDuck]

Originally Posted by Velocipede

You got that right, Bob. They did it to Muse and they did it to Morris.

I know about Morris (Neeleman's old company) but who was Muse?

[ASpilot2be]

Originally Posted by BobDDuck

I know about Morris (Neeleman's old company) but who was Muse?

They were I believe a Los Angeles based airline that Southwest purchased.

[kellwolf]

Originally Posted by Velocipede

Ask yourself who flies 737s, has a developed Mexico/Canada/Hawaii route structure and is ripe for the picking?

Couple of weeks ago you were sure Delta was gonna merge with Alaska. Now it's SWA??!??

Don't run against any Republicans for president. They'll nail you to the wall for flip-flopping.

[ERfly]

Originally Posted by BobDDuck

I know about Morris (Neeleman's old company) but who was Muse?

Muse Air was started by Lamar Muse (former President of Southwest). SWA bought them in 1985 and shut them down in 87. I think they flew MD-80s.

[Doug Taylor]

A couple of my DFW buddies are former Muse Air.

[Velocipede]

Originally Posted by kellwolf

Couple of weeks ago you were sure Delta was gonna merge with Alaska. Now it's SWA??!??

Actually, I wouldn't count DAL out of the Alaska sweeps. It was Gerald Grinstein who said the best aquisition for Delta was Alaska.

And all this NWA chat may just be a smoke screen to hide who they're really after. After all, when mergers actually happen, you never hear about them until they're done. You NEVER hear about them a month in advance.

So, who knows? Both rumors are still alive and well, although the SWA rumor has gained more traction since the DAL/NWA hype started.

[Doug Taylor]

I'm still putting my money on DAL and Alaska...

Call me crazy if you'd like!

Wouldn't, uhh, be the first time this week...