WN altering it's strategy in Atlanta

Remembering that there were lengthy posts on this forum predicting how WN would wreak havoc on DL in ATL, these changes confirm that DL is a fierce competitor and that WN's strategy is built around going for new markets, and only where necessary, competing with network carriers were it thinks it can succeed. ATL is just one more DL hub where WN has not significantly increased its market position and even in Florida where DL pulled back the most post 9/11, WN has not largely directly competed with DL.... ATL-Florida is the largest overlap between DL and WN and WN is pulling back even further.

Remember that WN's size at ATL will be almost 100 flights/day less than FL's peak... granted FL used smaller size aircraft (the 717s which DL is taking possession of) but WN's presence in ATL will be smaller.

WN will focus on the local market as has been predicted but they will find it very hard to gain a significant presence in the local market when DL has as much as 3X more capacity in many of the markets. And the number of markets that WN will serve from ATL will be smaller.

WN is a great airline but they know where and when to compete. ATL will be an important market for them but will be far from the size many said it would be when the FL merger was announced.
 
The IAM represents Airtran in ATL, the breakdown is rumored as 125 customer service and 175 ramp. No mention was made of any mechanics.
 
gizmo_sc said:
The IAM represents Airtran in ATL, the breakdown is rumored as 125 customer service and 175 ramp. No mention was made of any mechanics.
Click to expand...

I believe you are correct. I read a Dallas Morning News article by Terry Maxon, and there was no mention of mechanics being displaced. Not saying that it is not happening, just saying article had no mention. I'm sure if it does include the mechs then they will just let them filter into the system at ALT until the rumored "C" checks start in ALT. When I found out more I will post...
 
It's kinda funny to me that it is such a big deal at southwest when someone gets displaced and has to exercise their seniority. This is commonplace at other airlines.
 
lineguy said:
It's kinda funny to me that it is such a big deal at southwest when someone gets displaced and has to exercise their seniority. This is commonplace at other airlines.
Click to expand...

Just because its common at other airlines doesn't make it right though, does it?
 
lineguy said:
Actually, It is right because it is included in the contract agreed upon by the union and the company.
Click to expand...
The seniority with Air Tran has nothing to do with SWA seniority. The ATL AT employees still haven't transitioned over to SWA. So in ONE LUV fashion SWA told 300 AT employees to move or take a separation package. Pretty crappy if you ask me.
 
While it may seem crappy, it is in the best interest for the Company to make money. The stock holders will want results and not care how it is achieved. No doubt, some will leave the company and some will relo. That's the nature of this business, like it or not! I feel for all of those affected!
 
It is in the best interest of the employees for the company to make money....nobody wins when companies cannot adapt.
Whether WN realistically knew what would happen in ATL or not, they have to change the ATL operation and the larger FL operation and it does impact some good people.
For those who remain, the sooner WN returns to its historically strong financial performance the better.
 
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