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I don't think most people oppose competition in general; I think the pro-Wright people get their judgment clouded because they're anti-Southwest (or pro-AA). If those companies weren't involved with the issue, there would be virtually no support for Wright. I'm as anti-Southwest as most anyone, but I can't justify interfering with the free market based on personal preference.

It doesn't have to be an AA vs. Southwest issue. Whether a metropolitan area is large enough support two full-service airports within 12 miles of each other without causing an overall reduction in service due to split operations is a legitimate question. When DFW was built, the Metroplex was far too small. In 1990, the Metroplex's population was 4,000,000 - still arguably not big enough for two airports. Today, it is over 5,000,000. Of the other metro areas with populations in the 4,000,000-6,000,000 range - Atlanta, Boston, Detroit and Philadelphia have only one major airport serving the city center, and Houston, Miami-Fort Lauderdale, San Francisco-Oakland and Washington, D.C. have 2.

Southwest closed its operations at closer-in Detroit City Airport within the past 10 years. And Reagan National is subject to a Congressionally-enacted perimiter rule (with limited exceptions). Even in New York City, the Port Authority limits flights over 1500 miles from close-in LaGuardia (except to Denver and on Saturdays) to protect long-haul traffic at JFK.