The Wright Amendment isn't holding SW back - Wright is holding Love back - and for very good reasons. I have friends that fly for both airlines and they all know how I feel. Right now AA is hurting, but coming back strongly. Two years ago, their stock was trading somewhere around $5 per share - Friday it closed at $19.
I guess my heart goes out to the majors because 9/11 hit them hard. I believe United and American were targed partly because of their names. In my opinon SW has spent years making deals only looking to take the next step with no intention of honoring their agreements. I lived through the Braniff mess - I don't want N. Texas to go through that again.
I agree that Wright will eventually be repealed. I just pray it is incrementally and gives American time to catch up. The new CEO at American seems up to the challenge.
You keep saying that there isn't room for growth at Love - you're correct. SW holds a monopoly on the gates there so there isn't much room for AA to come in a compete fairly. The Congresswoman from Dallas (who I am on the opposite side of politically) has said that if Wright is repealed, she will introduce legislation to tear down Love. Kit Bond is so furious with AA for what happened with TWA that he made sure Wright was lifted with respect to MO in the recent transportation bill. This is a political football.
You say the Wright Amendment isn't holding SW back that it's holding Love back. Then you say SW has a monopoly on the gates at Love so based upon what you're saying my statement about Wright holding SW back is correct.
The Congresswoman from Dallas (who I am on the opposite side of politically) has said that if Wright is repealed, she will introduce legislation to tear down Love.
Great idea! Let's throw the baby out with the bathwater.
In my opinon SW has spent years making deals only looking to take the next step with no intention of honoring their agreements.
Just because you keep your eye on the ultimate goal and continue to work towards attaining it doesn't mean you turn your back on incremental victories. They did in fact honor each agreement while it was in affect until a door opened where they could negotiate a new agreement. Do not we do that in our personal lives? If my goal is to earn xx amount of money do I turn down all raises/promotions simply because I'm not given xx right out of the starting gate? Does that mean I'm not honorable if I accept x instead of xx until I can negotiate up to xx?
I believe United and American were targed partly because of their names.
On that you and I are in total agreement.