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Published Saturday, October 16, 2010 in Opinion
Readers' reaction to Southwest, AirTran deal
Editorial
Editor's note: Our Monday guest editorial said the sale of AirTran to Southwest Airlines looked like a win-win situation for consumers. Here is a sampling of readers' responses to that editorial.
* Competition alone will not improve airline service. Operating costs have risen for every industry and the airlines are no different. Part of the problem is the public's unwillingness to pay for the service they receive. Southwest, AirTran or Delta cannot afford to fly passengers everywhere for $35 while paying their employees wages they cannot live on.
* Southwest's no bag fees is going to make Delta think twice about its fees. Or it will start a price war in which Delta would try to drive Southwest out of the game.
* Delta is not even remotely close to going under. They are making a profit. They do contract work on engines and aircraft. They are making profits in every area. Just because Southwest took over AirTran, it will not hurt Delta. AirTran flew out of Atlanta. So it won't be any different.
* When Delta tried to go head to head against Southwest in the Los Angeles and San Francisco and other markets, they could not compete with price or turn times. Unless you are a platinum medallion or million miler, the average consumer is going to pick the lowest price and the best departure time nine out of 10 times. Delta best get ready for a dog fight, and we Georgians better hope they win it.
* I can't wait. Delta is a miserable flying experience. I have stopped flying since they started gouging us for baggage fees. When Southwest starts flying out of Atlanta, so do I. I could care less for all those entitled Peachtree City folks. They could use a dose of reality.
* If Delta provides good service at competitive rates compared to Southwest, they have nothing to worry about. I fly both airlines regularly, and based on my experience, Delta had better start getting their ducks in a row if they want to stay in business.
* While I agree Delta has had a strangle hold on the Atlanta airport since Eastern Airlines went out in 1989, and yes, the bag fees are gouging us, Georgians best be careful what they wish for with Southwest. Delta, its employees and its suppliers all support the Georgia economy. If Delta goes belly up because you saved $50 on a plane ticket, you'll feel the pain a lot deeper and longer. The U.S. economy will not bounce back like it did pre-Obama.
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You are 100 percent correct.
Posted by Joe Cool at 4:50 PM
southwest will be facing larger landing fees and gates cost along with giving all airtran crew pay raises to match there own pay. they will be flying into a major airport and the're not used to that, this may cost southwest much more than they expect to play with the big boys.
Posted by john at 2:27 PM
SOuthwest fuel hedges have runout so there profits have begun to dry up. The only reason they made a profit was because some smart person at Southwest bought up millions of fuel hedges years ago. Delta is making a profit and will continue to do so. They make millions just off aircraft and engine contracts.
Everyone at Delta just got pay raises Oct 1st and will be receiving profit sharing at the end of the year.
Posted by Joe Cool at 9:50 AM
"Just because Southwest took over Airtran it will not hurt Delta . Airtran flew out of Atlanta. So it wont be any different." seriously.....except Southwest/Airtran can charge $59 a ticket from atl to bwi for the next 500 years and make a profit.....Delta cant. Delta cannot compete with those prices and make money....and money is one thing Southwest has just brought to atl.
Posted by c. discuns at 1:34 PM
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Delta Airlines
10/23/2010
Link To This Comment
What you dont understand is the Atlanta airport is expanding. International travel is growing. There will be no more low cost carriers. Southwest pays their Pilots,Mechanics, CSAs,etc. TOP Pay in the industry. Where do you think that money will come from? You the Paying customers!Less competition = Higher prices
Posted by Steve at 3:47 AM