01-11-2014
11:03 PM
8 Loves
I'm glad to see that people are continuing to post here and that the vast majority of posts are not supportive of SWA continuing its relationship with SW. I also appreciate that SWA appears not to be censoring or skewing the results. As the wonderful airline that you are - innovative, cutting edge, fun! - I hope you will give serious consideration to cutting ties with Seaworld. The "Blackfish Effect" is very real and as the number of people who've seen the film increases, Seaworld's stock continues to suffer. This little David of a film has gone after the Goliath of the industry of animal captivity and has permanently touched the hearts of millions. The genie is out of the bottle. Seaworld needs to seriously revise its business model or go the way of the Edsel. I have every confidence that SWA is the type of company that can do the right thing, but I think it needs to happen sooner rather than later. A lot of people are making a lot of money shorting Seaworld stock. Southwest Airlines risks the same fate and needs to severe ties soon and publicly.
Thank you.
... View more
01-11-2014
10:45 PM
5 Loves
Matt, When you say there is a "net-positive societal/global impact by having SeaWorld around", net positive for who? You could say people are entertained and walk away impressed with the size and intelligence of these animals. I guess you could call that positive. But it certainly isn't positive for the orcas. In fact, it's downright inhumane to take these highly intelligent, majestic animals and keep them in these tiny tanks so they can do circus acts for humans. And you can't say that people leave the park better informed or educated about orcas, when it's been proven that SW is actually giving out misinformation. I just can't see what's positive about it. Certainly not to the degree that would allow for the abuse these animals suffer just for humans' amusement.
... View more
01-08-2014
09:59 PM
4 Loves
I don't know the exact nature of the relationship between Southwest and Seaworld, but I would imagine that there are some contractual obligations and that getting out of it abruptly could be costly.
However, I strongly encourage Southwest to do just that. Not only because it is obviously the right thing to do, but also because the goodwill it would generate for the company among so many millions now who have seen Blackfish and been forever changed by its exposé of Seaworld, that I think people would be very supportive and come rushing back in a hurry to make Southwest their preferred airline.
I sincerely hope that SWA reconsiders their relationship and does the right thing.
... View more
01-08-2014
09:45 PM
16 Loves
Matt, you've got a point. Seaworld over the years has raised awareness about orcas. However, I don't think that if you take away Seaworld at this point, "some number of years down the line, you get people who care a lot less about the animals you are concerned about today." I don't care any less about orangutans just because I've never seen one up close. Or pandas or grizzly bears or walruses. I don't have to see a real live one of any of these animals to appreciate that they are part of nature and shouldn't be brought into captivity for humans' amusement. And I can't buy the argument that we need to keep them in order to study them. We've studied them quite a bit already, and there are scientists out there still studying them in their own natural habitats in the wild. It never made sense to study them in captivity, anyway, as their behavior will be markedly different. I hope that SW Airlines reconsiders their position, as I don't think this will end well for Seaworld, and there's no reason SWA should go down with them.
... View more
01-08-2014
09:22 PM
5 Loves
With all due respect, Mr. Silvers, the only "amateur marine "experts"" are the Seaworld employees. If you saw Blackfish, then you know right from the horse's mouth from several former trainers at Seaworld, that they were not experts at all. They were given lies and misleading information to tell the public in terms of Orcas' life span in the wild vs. in captivity, of the bent dorsal fins and several other points. The REAL experts interviewed in the film dispute all of that and provide solid scientific basis for their findings. The Seaworld "experts" are nothing more than a pretty face who know how to swim and are good with animals. They are not expected to have any background in anything that matters to the animals.
I have always loved SW Airlines and I DO hope they will reconsider their position. I know this is a huge corporate quagmire for them, but the writing is on the wall. There is only one way for this to go, and it ain't gonna be pretty for Seaworld. Their stock has dropped precipitously and shows no signs of recovery any time soon. They will have to substantially change their business plan or be at risk of bankruptcy within the coming years.
... View more