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Viva Mexico

rsweet
Explorer B


 
 
We're codesharing with who...or is it whom...I always forget, but who cares? I should be writing this in Spanish...do you write in Spanish? Wow, I'm struggling today with what few writing skills I have,  probably because I'm so excited about the announcement of our second International codeshare partner - Volaris.
 
It's Volaris...yes Volaris! You know, if you fuse the Spanish word volar (to fly) with the word Polaris (North Star) you get Volaris? Well, that's how they came up with their name, and I think it's a pretty cool name. What's even cooler is that Volaris is an exceptional low-cost airline flying in Mexico. They are focused on high levels of Customer Service and provide a great inflight experience. Volaris plans to begin flying in to the US sometime in 2009 and will become Southwest Airlines' Mexico codeshare partner in early 2010. If you haven't heard of Volaris, here's a little information that should give you a feel for them and why we think they will be a great partner!
 
Like our new codeshare partner WestJet, Volaris presently serves some pretty cool destinations...or should I say hot destinations! Places like Cancun, Cabo, Puerto Vallarta, and Acapulco are certainly great places to vacation. Mexico City (via Toluca), Monterrey, and Guadalajara are great business travel destinations and will complement our efforts to attract more business travelers.
 
Also, like WestJet, Volaris has a fun corporate culture. On one of our visits to their Headquarters, their VP of Sales was having his head shaved in front of the Volaris Employees—it was payback for the Employees who had met a revenue goal that he challenged them to meet. Their Employees are very energetic and love their airline. Their Customers join in the fun as well. They recently had an inflight concert! My favorite Customer experience was influenced by the free tequila and cerveza they served! They also give away Krispy Kreme donuts! It's a regular Fiesta!!! Oh yes, and every Volaris plane is named after one of their valued Customers. I can't wait to see Ricardo!
 
Unlike WestJet, Volaris is an unknown brand in the US. Although they are relatively small and certainly new (they began flying in 2006), Volaris has proven themselves itself as a successful and viable airline and are developing a new generation of flyers in Mexico. Coupled with the Southwest brand, network, and Customer base, the opportunities are huge.
 
Okay, enough of my rambling, whadoyouthink? 
 

 

302 Comments
Anonymous705
Explorer C
The time is coming, this company will burn down to the ground because of the greed for green. I will not stand to see my occupation outsourced to the lowest bidder. Gary Kelly and his puppets in mgt may get their millions but "failure to communicate" will be there reputation.
usairlinesouth
Explorer C
I don"t understand why Southwest Airlines can not fly its own aircraft to Mexico. Airtran, Jetblue, Spirit, Frontier and Alaska all fly there. I am sure it was a big risk for them too but they did it. Also how about more bussiness centers like ATL, BOS, CLT, NYC, MEM, MKE, RIC would be nice to generate more revenue.
o1ive12
Explorer B
Wow, I am amazed at all the negative comments about the codeshare. This is really shocking that employees are just up in arms about this and are slinging mud left and right. All i can say is wow. Your company needs to get it together...stop bickering, come to the table, work out the differences. I want to continue flying your great airline...these squabbles makes me start to think that you're going the wAAy of American Airlines with their sour management-labor relations.
Anonymous4497
Explorer C
And this is just the beginning folks! Hawaii and the Caribbean are next... Then sky is the limit! Check this out: DALLAS — Southwest Airlines is taking steps into international service by announcing a deal to sell travel to Mexico in 2010 with partner Volaris, a well-financed Mexican carrier that is just two years old. Southwest has already said it would team with WestJet to offer U.S.-Canada travel by late 2009. Southwest executives are overseeing a technology makeover that will modernize its reservations system to handle more international travel. They are talking to other carriers about service to Hawaii and the Caribbean. Competitors are paying close attention. Some may fear that Southwest Airlines could emerge as a low-cost rival on their lucrative international routes, just as it pushed beyond Texas and grew into the nation's largest carrier by number of domestic passengers. Others are courting Southwest. Last month, the chief executive of AirTran Airways said he would like to talk to Southwest about selling seats on each other's planes and sharing the revenue. Such arrangements are called code-sharing, because one airline puts its name or code on a flight operated by the other. Code-sharing is considered a low-risk way for airlines to expand their networks without the added cost of more planes and employees. It figures to be a particularly important strategy for Southwest, which is alone among the nation's major carriers in not belonging to one of three big global alliances or teams of airlines. Go-it-alone Southwest's first foray into code-sharing was an afterthought — part of a move to expand at Chicago's Midway Airport in 2004. Southwest acquired six gates that had been controlled by ATA Airlines in exchange for making a cash infusion into ATA and beginning a marketing joint venture. Southwest said it took in $50 million in revenue from the code-sharing deal in 2005. An extra benefit — the best part of the deal for some travelers — was that Southwest customers could cash in frequent-flier points for free trips on ATA to Hawaii, which Southwest does not serve. Soon Southwest was considering expanding the partnership to include selling seats on ATA flights to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. But ATA weakened and cut flights. It filed for bankruptcy and stopped flying in April. Undeterred by ATA's demise, Southwest's interest in code-sharing possibilities grew. The timing for such agreements is also important. Since 2001, Southwest has enjoyed fortress-like strength in the troubled U.S. airline industry, earning consistent profits because it bet right on the direction of oil prices several years ago. But the castle walls are showing cracks. Last month, Southwest reported its first quarterly loss since early 1991. Its wildly successful fuel-hedging bets are winding down and losing value. Its once enormous financial advantage over other airlines is shrinking. To avoid big losses or draconian spending cuts, Southwest must raise more money — and fast. The airline aims to increase revenue by $1.5 billion, and international code-sharing could contribute "several hundred million dollars" a year toward that goal, said CEO Gary Kelly. In July, Southwest announced that by the end of 2009 it would launch service between the U.S. and Canada with WestJet Airlines. Details such as destinations, fares and revenue forecasts have not been disclosed. Southwest officials say they have been talking to nearly a dozen airlines about code-sharing to Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean by late 2009 — Europe and Asia would be farther down the road. "We want to start off regionally. It's simpler," said Richard Sweet, who leads a group at Southwest that is studying code-sharing possibilities. "WestJet comes pretty close to the profile of an ideal code-sharing partner," Sweet said. He said both WestJet and Southwest are low-cost, efficient, and emphasize customer service. Like Southwest, WestJet flies only Boeing 737 aircraft and its reservations system runs on the same technology from Sabre Airline Solutions, which Sweet said was a plus. And both have only one class of service — no separate first-class cabins. Sweet said travelers will be able to buy WestJet tickets on southwest.com this year, even before the code-sharing deal starts. Volaris differs from WestJet — and Southwest — in some ways, including its fleet, which consists entirely of Airbus jets. But it is also a low-cost carrier that hopes to capitalize on consolidation taking place in the Mexican airline industry. Kelly said the deal opens up attractive Mexican destinations to Southwest customers. Volaris flies to 23 cities in Mexico, from border cities to beach resorts including Cancun and Puerto Vallarta. With deals done for Canada and Mexico, Southwest will turn now to finding partners to serve Hawaii and the Caribbean. Sweet and Kelly declined to discuss potential partners, but industry experts all have their own favorites. At the top of the list for several was Hawaiian Airlines, to replace service lost when ATA went under. "Hawaiian would be the obvious choice for Southwest," said Robert Mann, an independent airline consultant in Port Washington, New York. "In the absence of Aloha" — which failed this year — "it's the dominant carrier in the islands." Mann said Southwest could team with AirTran or Spirit Airlines to sell seats to the Caribbean, although Spirit "is even more bare-bones of an operation than Southwest by a long stretch." Whoever it picks, Mann said, partners will insist that Southwest begin assigning passengers to seats to match the practice of other airlines. Southwest considered such a move last year but stuck with its open-seating plan in which those who check in first get the best seats. George Hamlin, managing director of ACA Associates, an aviation consulting firm in Northern Virginia, said Alaska Airlines could open up flights to Hawaii and Mexico. Some analysts said Southwest and WestJet could be the start of an alliance among low-cost carriers in the Western hemisphere, perhaps including a low-cost South American carrier such as Brazil's Gol. "It's exciting that the LCC (low-cost carrier) sector finally is thinking about international service," said William Swelbar, a former director at Hawaiian who now runs an airline data project at MIT. "WestJet is the first step. We'll see fares to Canada come down ... that's always good for consumers." Kelly has said Southwest wants to sell seats to Europe after 2010. Analysts said Irish discount carrier Ryanair and its U.K. rival, EasyJet, are logical partners.
A_very_concerne
Explorer C
I can't believe we are going to fly our customers to some gateway like Phoenix, sell them a ticket, and put them on some third world startup airline and send them on their merry way. Herb, are you watching this? You are still a board member aren't you? Save us from this guy!
Betrayed_Employ
Explorer C
Outsourcing the jobs of the most productive work force in the airline business. We miss the loyalty to the employee groups that Herb brought to the table. What happened to "treat your employees as the customer"?
usairlinesouth
Explorer C
I dont understand why Southwest Airline can not fly to Mexico using its own aircraft. Airtran, Jetblue, Spirit, Frontier, and Alaska fly to Mexico and Airtran, Jetblue, Spirit, fly to the Caribbean and do it very well under it own brand. I am sure it was a big risk to them too but they did it. Also how about more business center like ATL, CLT, BOS, NYC, RIC, MKE, to cater to more business select Customers to gain more revenue that would be a nice plus. Just my two cents.
Anonymous4182
Explorer C
I realize the flying public aren't aware of the "ins" and "outs" of the industry and can't understand why there is such a negative groundswell of emotion regarding this codeshare agreement. Think of it in these terms. If you had a job where seniority determines not only your pay, but your quality of life and your company decided to stop all promotions and instead, give positions away to people at another company when you, yourself were not only extremely capable, but probably more experienced at the job. This, in turn causes your position to stagnate for an undetermined amount of time, with only more of the same to come, are you going to be happy about it? While codeshare affects all Southwest employees as a whole, the flight attendants and pilots will bare the brunt of it in terms of schedules, seniority, and quality of life because of outsourcing rather than growth and the benefits that growth bring to the Southwest work force, which is, and always has been an asset to Southwest Airlines. It's a slap in the face of employees and I'm afraid turning the other cheek will only bring another slap with more codeshare agreements in the not too distant future. This isn't an "anti-Volaris" post, it's a "pro-employee" post.
Anonymous3576
Explorer C
And you guys didn't know this was going on? Why everybody is so surprised all of the sudden?
Anonymous1586
Explorer C
And folks...don't be fooled....this is one or two people wrting these negative posts....there can't be that many dumb people out there that can't see how this is a good thing for SWA and it's employees and Customers. ********* Oooops! Somebody is in an alarming state of denial! One or two people writing over 200 posts? I don't think so.
A_very_concerne
Explorer C
Yes, Oliver, that's what we're worried about too! You see, we have a new CEO that is more worried about the bottom line than about his employees. That is something previously unknown at Southwest.
joedal
Explorer A
I see a lot of jumping the gun attitude. Be glad that you guys have a job right now and that your airline is not as bad as the next one in Dallas. As much as I would like to see Southwest fly internationally, it's just not a decent option at the current moment. Now 5, 10 years down the road, I would be good money that you will see Southwest metal flying to international cities. As much as I can understand you guys and gals feeling as if you have been betrayed by management, remember that this is public, and those that don't fully understand the airline industry will not understand what your line of thinking is or why you think that this is a bad thing. Let it work itself out guys, be patience. Too many times in our society today we want things now and, "Why can't I be rewarded" attitude. The old days are gone, as much fun as they were, we as a group need to change our line of thinking. Practice patience everyone, be glad for what you have received for today, and humble yourself with that, for tomorrow will bring bigger, and better things to you and to this airline.

Joseph R. Meyers

Dallas, Texas

usairlinesouth
Explorer C
I don't understand why Southwest Airlines can not fly to Mexico using it own aircraft. Airtran, Jetblue, Spirit, Frontier and Alaska plus all legacy carriers all fly to Mexico using its own brand and do it very well. Also Airtran, Spirit, Jetblue fly to the Caribbean using its own AIrcraft and flt crews and they keep adding to their caribbean and mexcian destinations while Southwest just sits back and wants to just do a codeshare. I am sure it was a big risk for them but they did it. and thier growing thier caribbean and mexico destinations. Also how about more business center like ATL, CLT, NYC, BOS, MEM, MKE, RIC, to cater to more business select flyers and generate more business flyer revenues for Southwest.
usairlinesouth
Explorer C
Sorry my post came out three times I could not get it to go through the first two times but I guess it did sorry about that I luv SWA.
Concerned_Emplo1
Explorer C
This is truly a sad day in my professional career. Reading all these posts along with the hundreds of posts on the SWAPA website has made it abundantly clear this is the beginning of the end of Southwest Airlines. Every company has a select few complainers but there have been vocal angry pilots who have never said a peep about anything for years and years. I don't know the answers to codeshare. If it's possible for SWA to make a profit or not but I am sure the culture of this airline is dying. I've never seen so much anger and discontent before. I always thought getting to SWA meant job security but I'm going to start polishing up my resume. Not because codesharing puts another airline in the mix but because this codesharing business is destroying employees perception of what SWA means. Whomever reads this for the executives really needs to step up and show Gary and Colleen these posts. This is terrible...
cricket
Explorer C
No bueno, I don't like this codeshare... Europe, Asia, and even Hawaii are easy to understand, but north and south are easy picking for Southwest to do themselves. Things that make you go, hmmmm....
usairlinesouth
Explorer C
While I wish Southwest could fly to these great destinations with thier own aircraft and flt crews. I do know Southwest has been good to its employees. where you do not have to worry about layoffs and paycuts like some of the other airlines. Hopifully one day Southwest will fly these routes themselfs once they get established on the codeshare routes and see that they can make money on them. Maybe they are testing the waters first. I do think the codeshare is better than nothing. The only thing I worry about is the other LCC getting a foot hold on the routes first before SWA can do it them selfs. just my two cents.
usairlinesouth
Explorer C
Im with cflightattendant we are all a team. I wish everyone would take a deep breath we will all be OK. Its very upsetting to hear all these nagative comments on this post. lets work together.
A_Customer_of_B
Adventurer C
I too am a concerned employee. When the announcement was first made, I naturally was concerned about my future with regards to quality of life, pay, and upgrade time. After reading this blog, I'm more concerned about the culture of Southwest being flushed down the drain. It seems that management has failed to consider the effects of marginalizing their front line employees. I sure hope someone in management is paying attention to this because if we lose the goodwill of the internal customer, the external customer's will soon follow. The only thing that keeps the public coming back is a cheap ticket, efficient operations, and our hospitality. To sacrifice this winning formula for codeshare revenue seems foolish. I may not know how to run an airline but I believe there are plenty examples on how not to. Let's not head down that road.
Anonymous4529
Explorer C
I too am a concerned employee. When the announcement was first made, I naturally was concerned about my future with regards to quality of life, pay, and upgrade time. After reading this blog, I'm more concerned about the culture of Southwest being flushed down the drain. It seems that management has failed to consider the effects of marginalizing their front line employees. I sure hope someone in management is paying attention to this because if we lose the goodwill of the internal customer, the external customer's will soon follow. The only thing that keeps the public coming back is a cheap ticket, efficient operations, and our hospitality. To sacrifice this winning formula for codeshare revenue seems foolish. I may not know how to run an airline but I believe there are plenty examples on how not to. Let's not head down that road.
Anonymous605
Explorer C
I wonder if the CEO at Volaris is a University of Texas Grad. Doesn't seem like you have to be qualified anymore to run things at SWA, just need to be a UT grad. Move your cars folks, we need some more parking on the South side of the GO for reserved parking for the new V.P's. Sell your stock now. The ship is sinking under the weight of the Peter Principle.
Concerned_custo1
Explorer C
Wow! I must say as a frequent loyal customer of SWA, I am in shock regarding the uproar this codeshare has started. I was pretty excited about it until I started reading this blog. I love flying you guys because of your employees; always smiling and courteous. I am afraid that this codesharing business is not going to go over very well with the employee group! Please don't turn this fantastic airline into a Delta or American! Your customer service is what keeps me coming back, but with angry employees you will be just like the rest of 'em. Good luck!
Future_Southwes
Explorer C
For the people who are saying that Southwest should fly their own metal to Canada and Mexico. You are NUTS!!! With the economy in the dumps right now. It would be a BIG mistake to try this right now. I'm no CEO or anything close but, I have worked in retail my entire life. In the 90's I used to work at a Midwest retailer called Venture stores Inc. We had approx 100 in 7 states with the majority in MO, IN, and IL. The company tried to expand well past their operating capacity. They went full steam into Texas with approx 25 new stores in 2 years. The following is copied from Wikipedia. By the late 1990s, the chain found that it was unable to compete against other retail chains, such as Wal-Mart, Target, and Kmart. Venture tried to return to its founding principles as an upscale discounter and remodeled most of its 90+ stores. While facing vast competition Venture made a fatal mistake trying to expand into Texas instead of protecting its core markets. Venture sold the Texas stores to Kmart in 1996 and closed its distribution center in Corsicana, Texas. The company entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy on January 20, 1998, and tried to operate with a smaller number of stores. The effort was not successful, and the company announced its closing on April 27, 1998. Most of the former Venture buildings were absorbed into other chains, such as Kmart, Kohl's, ShopKo, and Burlington Coat Factory. Now with that said. Does any employee want to over expand and end up in financial trouble? Lets just say SWA did fly their own metal into these two countries and failed. In order to not layoff any employees (even after 9/11 they NEVER laid off a single employee) they decided to eliminate the FREE airfare and instead charge $25 for a round trip flight. How would you feel then???? And to the others that are blaming Gary Keller on the drop in the LUV stock. That is completely outrageous. EVERY stock is down right now. The last thing you would want to do right now is to sell your stock because you already absorbed the loss and when the stock climbs back up you'll be out of luck. Get your heads out of the toilet and realize that this is the best way to test the market with little consequence if it doesn't work.
Anonymous4106
Explorer C
I guess that the good news is that a customer will be able to get on a WestJet airplane in Calgary, fly nonstop to Phoenix, and change planes onto a Volaris aircraft to destinations all over Mexico. Somebody explain to me once again why this is such a great thing?
Anonymous2516
Explorer C
Volaris is a great airline, I flew them a few times in Mexico. Brand new airplanes and a great attitude of the staff - many (Not southwest) mainline US airlines could learn from these guys' service!
flyswa
Explorer C
Not excited 😞 I'm concerned that Southwest has lost it's edge by outsourcing jobs and growth opportunities that would greatly benefit the employees that made Southwest what it is today. The company is losing it's vision as a leader in the transportation industry by adding codeshare partners to fly to routes they could easily fly to, and IMO, LUV's low share price reflects that lack of confidence by Wall Street and individual investors. I do not think that the flying public will be very excited to fly on an airline that is less than 3 years old, without a proven safety record, that an overwhelming majority of folks have not even heard of.
carl-david-pfla
Explorer C
Southworst Airlines are the worst airlines that don't offer services on THEIR planes to Canada, Caribbean, and Hawaii!!!
Anonymous1757
Explorer C
I'm very disappointed with this announcement. So many customers hated the ATA codeshare, were stranded when the company went out of business and felt they diluted our wonderful product. WestJet and now a no-name in Mexico called Volaris? What is Mr. Kelly thinking? I love and trust our pilots and flight attendants and their safety record and customer service record is second to no one else. It is a slap in the face to us loyal employees to outsource our work to Canada and Mexico and then infer that we are incapable of performing the work ourselves. SHAME ON YOU!!!
Anonymous1539
Explorer C
For those who don't understand why the pilots would be so upset... keep in mind we are operating under a contract signed in 1994. That contract and all of it's extensions became amendable - ended - in August 2006. Since that point, the pilots have been under what is essentially a pay freeze. Now (for the first time) the company has essentially eliminated all growth and prospects for advancement in seniority. Couple that with contracting these outside carriers who are projecting growth rates of 25-50% while carrying "Southwest" passengers. While the company is having no problems throwing parties at the GO and promoting VP's, those who are out there serving the customers day in and day out seem to have lost the respect of the GO staff. It really is just another job after all.
roosterman
Explorer C
Way to pimp the SWA brand!!!! Nothing like hitching your wagon to an unproven, 2-year old Mexican airline!! SWA flinches at allowing their logo to be used in certain public events for fear of the effect on the "Southwest Brand"..... one of the most powerful brand names in the country. What are you thinking hooking up with these unknown clowns..... is it really that hard to fly to Mexico yourself?
Anonymous533
Explorer C
Many of you who post these negative comments must have forgotten about the ATA codeshare and what Southwest did after ATA went under. How about our flights to Florida that we found profitable AFTER we codeshared with ATA. Now we're into West Palm Beach making that profit ourselves. Trust management and let's just test those waters to see where they take us. Codesharing is a far more reasonable option in these turbulent times!
JohnT
Explorer C
What a train wreck and why didn't the Company see this coming. Never ignore your employee groups early concerns. Never. Now Dallas has signed these deals, and labor's anger is clearly accelerating. I've been around the industry for a while now. There is no reeducation which will fix this. It will get worse with every new agreement and much worse when the actual foreign 737s start showing up on Southwest's gates. A daily reminder of a shrinking airline and "outsourcing" which will strike close to home. Dallas didn't think this through. This will destroy the culture I'm afraid.
Bridgette_da_Mi
Explorer C
Flight Attendant here and some points should be made. I think a lot of this posting is being done by a few people as someone said. But I can tell you that these views are radical from our flight crews. Especially the pilots I hear this mentioned a lot. I think its more of an issue for the pilots but that seems to be changing. I do not think the pilots will step down. I've never seen them this angry or heard them talk about slowdowns, etc. before yesterday. But I think this blog is pathetic.
lscales
Explorer C
Great to learn about the international expansion! Please continue. I often travel to Brazil for business. Any thought about an alliance with TAM or other Brazilian airlines? I hope so.
Cindy5
Explorer C
The posted a very small blip about codeshare this morning but it doesn't even reference employee concerns. Damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead Gary? - HOU F/A
Anonymous1486
Explorer C
Future Southwest employee in the hiring waiting pool: I hope you don't get hired! (you sound pretty mentally unstable to me). NO MORE CODESHARES!
Anonymous705
Explorer C
We went to West Palm Beach before the ATA codeshare, get your facts straight. Never trust management when they are going after your career. SWA is not in trouble and turbulent times are when we are at our best. This is the time to take over some other destinations with our own employees. Enough is enough, Gary has driven the knife into his employees hearts. Too sad.
Anonymous3454
Explorer C
Quote: Now we're into West Palm Beach making that profit ourselves. Trust management and let's just test those waters to see where they take us. Codesharing is a far more reasonable option in these turbulent times! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Gasp) We were in PBI before the ATA deal, thankyuverymuch! I agree with roosterman, this is pimping the Southwest brand! Now I know the secret of your success: Incapability to take risks like everybody else and a total disdain for international markets. Your airline these days looks like is run by Sarah Palin.
Worried_about_S
Explorer C
Southwest is in trouble! Why can a 2 year old unproven Mexican startup do what SWA is afrid to do?? Isn't Southwest supposed to be a leader and an innovator? Outsourcing potentially lucrative flying is a joke! When I buy a ticket on Southwest to the US, Canada, or Mexico, I want to FLY ON SOUTHWEST!
Reggie1
Explorer C
OMG, I AM SOOO FREAKING OUT OVER THIS!! I am SOOO mad at you pilots. What is wrong with you? We're going to Mexico!! And if you ask me, its about time Gary took on some of the unions at Southwest. It is SOOO out of control with you guys. You DO NOT own this airline. You're just a little employee just like me. Because the unions make SO much money there's nothing left for us here in Dallas and we DO work hard. So pooh on you guys. And as far as dissing on our young Mexican friends and their pilots well news flash from Reggie, your job isn't all that hard. How do I know? Because I just got a PPL this summer and passed my written exam with a 96%, whoo hoo!!! And I'm not alone, some of my friends here got there's too and we all agree you have a fun job but it isn't really so hard. So boo, hoo, hoo. Cry me a river, I'm going to Mexico cry babies and I'm standing behind my man Gary!! Go Gary and viva la Mexico!!!! Whooo, hooooo!!!!!!!!
chuchoteur
Adventurer B
Paula, Brian and the Blog team, WoW... I'm impressed by you guys and girls! managing the blog over the last day must've been mayhem! :o| To all the posters, do bear in mind that the Blog is moderated for unsuitable language, outside of that, I've never seen any negative comment not allowed though in the last two years, so there is no doubt as to the integrity of what the blog team is doing, they're letting all comments (aside from downright abusive and inappropriate!) through! If your comment doesn't go through immediately, it is because the team have to give it the once over to ensure it is not grossly inappropriate... imagine how much work that's been! (AND the team also has other jobs to do at the same time... WoW! I guess that's multitasking for you!) Ref the SWA codeshare with Volaris, I have to say that: a) I'm initially rather happy to see that SWA will be able to offer flights to Mexico, even in a codeshare b) I'm surprised at the number of concerned posts by SWA employees I guess there isn't quite enough information out there to really make my mind up, although it seems logical today to consider a codeshare with a Mexican operator that can provide a large number of destinations and routings that interconnect with the SWA network, much like the WestJet partnership. I will follow what comes out closely over the next few days before deciding wether there's any reason to feel cautious or concerned about this news! :o) Raphael
Deer_Tick
Explorer C
Any of you koolaid drinking employees care to explain how Westjet and Volaris can make oodles of money and grow double digit proportions doing the cross boarder thing yet according to Gary we cannot? I didn't think so...
Anonymous3216
Explorer B
I think Gary is doing a great job, and I have a lot of faith in his leadership. With the crazy circumstances of the last decade, name another carrier that has weathered this storm as well? So many comments have been critical of our leadership, but I fail to see where they have steered us so wrong. As for flying our own metal and crews on international routes or not “trusting our own Employees” – no one is saying we can’t or won’t some day, only that this is the most prudent route at this juncture. And things change. If there's anything we know about this business it's that things change. Yes, other airlines are doing it, but how profitably? My guess is that one of the reasons they are doing it is because they can’t compete with us on more domestic routes. If you’re so envious of their position, perhaps you should go work for them. Oh, wait, they’re not hiring. Honestly, you all sound like ignorant, insolent brats. I am very thankful that it’s Gary Kelly running this company, and not some of you.
Mick
Explorer C
Just depressing. Code share could work but this feels like capitulating on near international routes. Once the others establish routes across the lower 48 boundaries, then I consider it unlikely that we will establish our own. It's our trusted brand, Boeing jets, and highly regarded employees. We should be delivering our customers to these B737-700 capable international population centers. We need the plan. We need the future committment. It could work well, if we are providing much of the trans border transportation. C'mon Mannn!!!
Anonymous4423
Explorer C
Quote... OMG, I AM SOOO FREAKING OUT OVER THIS!! I am SOOO mad at you pilots. What is wrong with you? We're going to Mexico!! And if you ask me, its about time Gary took on some of the unions at Southwest. It is SOOO out of control with you guys. You DO NOT own this airline. You're just a little employee just like me. Because the unions make SO much money there's nothing left for us here in Dallas and we DO work hard. So pooh on you guys. And as far as dissing on our young Mexican friends and their pilots well news flash from Reggie, your job isn't all that hard. How do I know? Because I just got a PPL this summer and passed my written exam with a 96%, whoo hoo!!! And I'm not alone, some of my friends here got there's too and we all agree you have a fun job but it isn't really so hard. So boo, hoo, hoo. Cry me a river, I'm going to Mexico cry babies and I'm standing behind my man Gary!! Go Gary and viva la Mexico!!!! Whooo, hooooo!!!!!!!! You might want to apply at Volaris as a pilot with that 96%, and I'd cut back on being a spokesperson for the GO, you're not doing them any favors.
Anonymous2930
Explorer B
>>>Any of you koolaid drinking employees care to explain how Westjet and Volaris can make oodles of money and grow double digit proportions doing the cross boarder thing yet according to Gary we cannot? I didn't think so... You didn't think hard enough. Westjet and Volaris haven't been around all that long (especially Volaris) so do you suppose that their *not* having 20+ year employees on the payroll (with their higher wage rates) just might have something to do with their overall cost structure? Look, I can understand the fact that pilot contract negotiations have been going on for 2 years and that many are frustrated because of it (I would be too), but the spaming of this board (and others) with what amounts to be electronic informational picketing rhetoric might feel good as a venting mechanism, but it's counterproductive in many ways. I'd submit that Gary Kelly et. al. know what they're doing, and have facts, figures, and other information (that rank-and-file employees do not) on which to predicate decisions upon. Am I a Kool-aid drinker? Hardly---I'm not at all shy about voicing contrarian opinions, but I'm also not dellusional in thinking that I'm the guy charged with the responsibility of running the Company. Overnighting at a Holiday In Express qualify anyone either. (..and no, I'm not in management, I'm a union member just like most SWA employees.)
Anonymous3572
Explorer C
Quoting "Reggie": I'm going to Mexico cry babies and I'm standing behind my man Gary!! Go Gary and viva la Mexico!!!! Whooo, hooooo!!!!!!!! ******** You know what, you are NOT going to Mexico. Volaris is. You are not. You are not. You are not.... PS: I'm not a pilot and I hate it too!
Anonymous4139
Explorer C
Honestly, you all sound like ignorant, insolent brats. I am very thankful that it’s Gary Kelly running this company, and not some of you. ********** You sound pretty pathetic and self-righteous yourself....
roosterman
Explorer C
Hey Reggie, You're right...... flying a cessna 152 in the pretty sunshine is exactly like flying a boeing 737 in the sleet and snow.... that's why we just hire any clown with a pilot's license right off the street!! Why don't you post again when you meet the MINIMUM requirements to apply as a pilot at SWA.... I expect to hear back from you in about 7-10 years
Anonymous3571
Explorer C
Just depressing. Code share could work but this feels like capitulating on near international routes. Once the others establish routes across the lower 48 boundaries, then I consider it unlikely that we will establish our own. It's our trusted brand, Boeing jets, and highly regarded employees. We should be delivering our customers to these B737-700 capable international population centers. We need the plan. We need the future committment. It could work well, if we are providing much of the trans border transportation. C'mon Mannn!!! Mick — Wed, 11/12/2008 - 11:28 ****************** Quoting Mick Agree 101%