If Wishes Were Nickels...

[Furloughedagain]

Southwest is now in its 32nd year of operation and has reported 30 consecutive years of profitability. Based in Dallas, Southwest operates a fleet of 385 Boeing 737s with an average age of 9.5 years--one of the youngest pure jet fleets in the domestic airline industry. Even in the aftermath of the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, Southwest did not reduce service nor furlough a single Employee.

Southwest did not reduce service nor furlough a single Employee.

Shocking...

BUT...if Dave had Southwest's contract, work rules, pay and benefits then he could make money.

BUT...if Dave had Southwests productivity he could make money.

BUT...if Dave had Southwests average employee seniority he could make money.

BUT...if Dave had Southwests single fleet-type he would be able to make money.

BUT...if Dave was able to channel Tom Braniff he would be able to make money.

BUT...if Dave had more regional jets he could make money.

BUT...if Dave had no competition he could make money.

BUT...if Dave had customers who were willing to pay more he could make money.

BUT...if Dave had hubs in cities where there was no snow, ice, or rain he could make money.

BUT...if the California wildfires did not impact 2 or 3 west coast flights Dave could make money.

BUT...if there were not a sunstorm and solar flares were not racing towards the earth Dave could make money.

BUT...if only Dave knew how to quit making excuses and run an airline he could make money.

Is anybody else tired of listening to excuses?

SORRY Dave. Since you just came to work at US Airways a mere 50 YEARS after the company came into existance you are going to have to just DEAL with such "inconveniences" as senior employees with mature labor contracts. Perhaps furloughing over 30% of the company (the cheapest 30%) was not the proper course of action.

BUT hey Dave, life isn't fair. You said you could fix the airline and now the whole world is calling your bluff.

Unfortunately it appears that you cant do anything more than make excuses. Thats a pretty impressive lesson that you're teaching your 11 year old daughter.

"Honey, we're rich. We dont have to set goals and achieve them. We just have to blame everyone else for our problems. If we're not making enough money it must be the workers fault. If we fire enough of them and get the rest to work for food-stamps then we'll make money for sure!"

She's gonna be a real winner isn't she?

 

[airlineorphan]

Well, my grandmother used say:

"If wishes were fishes, this place would stink!"



-Airlineorphan

 

[DCAflyer]

I have a close relative who works for LUV. One thing she told me a few years ago, before 9-11, is that she was in a meeting where Herb K was speaking. Someone in the meeting asked Herb what is the single biggest reason Southwest is successful.

His answer...

US Airways.

Dave, are you listening?