It is my hope that someone in the FAA or in Washington will come to the realization that this is a bad plan and would make poor public policy. We already have an Airline Deregulation Act that was passed by Congress in 1978. Why not use it? It would be far better for Congress to allow this sweetheart proposal to lapse and start fresh in 2007. That would allow them the latitude to make adjustments and corrections that would better benefit the traveling public and to phase out the Wright Amendment in a more timely manner. Nebraska and Tennessee are but two states that are eager for a more timely repeal and inclusion in the Love Field Service Area..
Secondly, it is my belief that the current proposal is not deregulation, but re-regulation. The proposal calls for reducing the number of active gates at DAL Love Field from 32 to 20. This was done in spite of an airport master plan allowing 32 gates that was adopted in 2001 after much deliberation and public input. The federal government should not be legislating the number of gates allowed at the nation's airports. This provision was apparently inserted to appease American Airlines, as they were concerned that SW might be a formidable competitor.
Regarding the football analogy that was submitted by Kim Seale, it appears that SW may be getting a field goal (at best), but it falls well short of a touchdown. Seems to me the best analogy that I could offer is this proposal is akin to putting lipstick on a pig.
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