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What happened to Southwest Airlines?
Fodor's Travel ^ | 3.13.25 | Scott Laird

Posted on 03/14/2025 5:40:02 PM PDT by tflabo

The U.S. airline industry is an unforgiving, cynical business where success tends to be fragile and short-lived. Unless—until recently—you were Southwest Airlines.

The brand that started flying as a tiny intrastate airline in Texas in 1971 tended to buck industry trends for decades, with consistent profitability, stable workforce relations, and high marks for customer service and operational reliability.

(Excerpt) Read more at fodors.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy
KEYWORDS: airlines
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When the bean counters mogul corporates took over Southwest Airlines they ruined its original quirky but fun approach. Herb Kelleher the beloved former CEO (RIP) would be rolling in his grave to see these current corporate schmucks in charge. Now they will charge for bag fees just like all the other rotten airlines do.
1 posted on 03/14/2025 5:40:02 PM PDT by tflabo
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To: tflabo

What’s a good airline these days.

I used to like JetBlue.


2 posted on 03/14/2025 5:42:41 PM PDT by ifinnegan (Democrats kill babies and harvest their organs to sell)
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To: tflabo

Yes, the difference was Herb Kelleher.


3 posted on 03/14/2025 5:42:49 PM PDT by EastTexasTraveler
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To: tflabo

Yep, they basically went “Big Airline” on their customers thanks to the Hedge Fund that took them over. If Spirit is smart, now, they’d simply transform themselves into the same model that Southwest used for decades (free bags, open seating, free changes)...and have that market to themselves.

But Spirit is too Third World to figure that out.


4 posted on 03/14/2025 5:44:21 PM PDT by BobL (The people who hate Trump demand that you hate Russia)
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To: tflabo

Elliot is going to try to drive up quarterly numbers and try to drive the stock price, then exit. They don’t care that they’ll leave a smoking ruin in their wake, they’ll have their money and move on to the next company to destroy.


5 posted on 03/14/2025 5:47:35 PM PDT by absalom01 (You should do your duty in all things. You cannot do more, and you should never wish to do less.)
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To: tflabo

I used to love them. Now, I avoid them like the plague. They are SO messed up. In Baltimore, within the past year…
I had THREE gate changes on one flight…. One side of the airport to the other. In the 2 1/2 hours I was there, I counted 17 gate changes on other flights. That, is nothing but sheer incompetence.

LO, how the mighty have fallen. They once sold dog shit, but convinced us all it was Belgian chocolate, just with their attitude, and on-time record.

Today? I wouldn’t accept a free ticket on SW.


6 posted on 03/14/2025 5:47:59 PM PDT by SomeCallMeTim
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To: tflabo

They lost some funding from the US military in the past month and a half.

That, coupled with other issues, has made them do some belt tightening.

I know someone who was laid off that did some of that military-related contract work.


7 posted on 03/14/2025 5:48:21 PM PDT by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
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To: tflabo

I’d rather drive a couple thousand miles than fly. I don’t fly unless there is no alternative.


8 posted on 03/14/2025 5:48:29 PM PDT by Combat_Liberalism
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To: BobL

All the airlines now seem to want to sell you their credit cards with in flight announcements. The cards offer ‘free’ bag fees. Just pay the yearly fee and of course for those who dont pay on time there’s the interest tacked on. So much for ‘free’.


9 posted on 03/14/2025 5:48:32 PM PDT by tflabo (Truth or tyranny)
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To: tflabo

Is my memory making it up or did they have an advertising slogan at the beginning about flying for peanuts and serving peanuts on board?


10 posted on 03/14/2025 5:52:16 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum (Democrats do not object to government corruption as long as they get a cut of the loot.)
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To: tflabo

Airline mileage credits and airline credit cards are where they make their money. Some of them seem to be more bank than airline.


11 posted on 03/14/2025 5:52:43 PM PDT by Jeff Chandler
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To: SomeCallMeTim

I remember back in the 90’s if you had an early AM flight there would be free donuts and coffee for the customers setup at the gates before boarding. At least out of Dallas Love Field and Houston Hobby.


12 posted on 03/14/2025 5:53:30 PM PDT by tflabo (Truth or tyranny)
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To: tflabo

As an aside, prior to the deregulation of the airline industry, the Civil Aeronautics Board regulated fares, routes, and entry of new companies etc. for airlines traveling between states. Deregulation occurred in 1978.

Southwest, formed in 1967 only flew to three Texas cities, known as the Texas triangle, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. The CAB rules and regulations only applied to airlines engaged in interstate travel. Any airline that flew only within a state was not subject to CAB rules and regulations.


13 posted on 03/14/2025 5:56:28 PM PDT by Maine Mariner
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To: SomeCallMeTim
Now, I avoid them like the plague.

We all used to say that about things until an actual Covid plague was developed and released in the US by Fauci and the Chines Communists. Children used to wonder what "avoid that like the plague" meant, like "sleep tight and don't let the bed bugs bite" which about ten years ago became a genuine fear with borrowing pillows, blankets and other items or buying used furniture or rugs a high risk situation that could lead to infestation. Apartment leases have a full page of legal language and threats to tenants.

14 posted on 03/14/2025 5:57:13 PM PDT by frank ballenger (There's a battle outside and it's raging. It'll soon shake your windows and rattle your walls. )
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To: EastTexasTraveler

I remember the bottles of Jack with each flight.


15 posted on 03/14/2025 6:00:07 PM PDT by Tijeras_Slim
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To: tflabo

I don’t know. What? Columo.


16 posted on 03/14/2025 6:00:37 PM PDT by MotorCityBuck (Keep the change, you are filthy animal! )
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To: tflabo

Used to be the favorite of the military to ride privately and to work for. It was all former military pilots No union. One airplane regular domestic routes

No drama

Too bad


17 posted on 03/14/2025 6:03:01 PM PDT by stanne (Because they were mesmerized by Obama, the man for whom this was named, whose name they left out of )
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To: stanne

Kelleher moved on. Reversion to the mean. The shitification of everything.


18 posted on 03/14/2025 6:04:03 PM PDT by RinaseaofDs (Imagine what we'll know tomorrow.)
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To: tflabo
The stewardesses' uniforms certainly looked cool back then:
19 posted on 03/14/2025 6:04:21 PM PDT by OttawaFreeper ("The Gardens was founded by men-sportsmen-who fought for their country" Conn Smythe, 1966 )
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To: tflabo

Honestly, what airline doesn’t suck anymore? Whacking someone in the knees is usually a crime, but not when done with the back of airplane seat. Flying has become very uncomfortable unless one is willing to pay a premium for better seats.


20 posted on 03/14/2025 6:04:48 PM PDT by Dr. Franklin ("A republic, if you can keep it." )
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