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luvn737s
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Given the severe disciplinary repercussions of uttering an unflattering opinion of WN, I didn't expect any honest assesment of WN's future vulnerability by any WN employee. I was not disappointed.
However, outside the park gates, in the real world, many do not see WN as bulletproof. WN got into the business because they saw an opportunity to exploit the commodity nature of their product and undercut the industry. Now they have trained the traveling public to assume that all airlines should be able to price their seats as cheaply as WN. Even airlines with international operations, with interline baggage service, with service to small cities, with inflight entertainment, with a premium level of service, you know the type of airlines that regulation was originally put in place to help establish.
Now with WN as the dominant carrier their influence can be felt beyond the airline biz. Boeing has shuttered the 757 line and basically the 747 as well. As long as WN demands old-technology 737's, research and development on any new products such as a 7E7 equivalent replacement for the 737 will have to wait. What the 800lb gorilla wants is what we are all forced to eat (unless you prefer French cooking).
The intent of my original post was to highlight the 800lb. gorilla nature of WN and how they are no longer the nimble underdog. They probably have a few more years of being able to show a profit (is there an accounting equivalent for not using ACARS for times reporting?) their future is far from guaranteed. WN relies almost exclusively on cheap fares. Fares some could argue border on predatory pricing.
I have heard it said that there are two ways to have the tallest building in town 1) Keep building yours or 2) Tear everyone else's down. WN's success seems to come only as a result of other's failures. That seems like a pretty limited plan.
PS- I don't fly for US. Keep guessin'!
However, outside the park gates, in the real world, many do not see WN as bulletproof. WN got into the business because they saw an opportunity to exploit the commodity nature of their product and undercut the industry. Now they have trained the traveling public to assume that all airlines should be able to price their seats as cheaply as WN. Even airlines with international operations, with interline baggage service, with service to small cities, with inflight entertainment, with a premium level of service, you know the type of airlines that regulation was originally put in place to help establish.
Now with WN as the dominant carrier their influence can be felt beyond the airline biz. Boeing has shuttered the 757 line and basically the 747 as well. As long as WN demands old-technology 737's, research and development on any new products such as a 7E7 equivalent replacement for the 737 will have to wait. What the 800lb gorilla wants is what we are all forced to eat (unless you prefer French cooking).
The intent of my original post was to highlight the 800lb. gorilla nature of WN and how they are no longer the nimble underdog. They probably have a few more years of being able to show a profit (is there an accounting equivalent for not using ACARS for times reporting?) their future is far from guaranteed. WN relies almost exclusively on cheap fares. Fares some could argue border on predatory pricing.
I have heard it said that there are two ways to have the tallest building in town 1) Keep building yours or 2) Tear everyone else's down. WN's success seems to come only as a result of other's failures. That seems like a pretty limited plan.
PS- I don't fly for US. Keep guessin'!