"DSK" wrote in message

Excuse me?
Did you just say the U.S. gov't does not subsidize the airline industry?

There was the one-time bailout following the terrorist attacks, which
legislation did include what you could call indirect subsidy in the form of
deferred tax payments, etc. These deferments have, I believe, all passed in
the intervening 4 years. There is also a small program to subsidize
essential air service to small rural communities, comprising some $120M per
annum, a statistical pittance of which, I believe, Southwest does not
partake. Generally speaking, though, the days are long gone when airlines
were broadly subsidized by federal money across the board.

Excuse me?
Did you just say the U.S. gov't does not subsidize the airline industry?


John Gaquin wrote:
There was the one-time bailout following the terrorist attacks

Correct.
No subsidy there, huh?

... which
legislation did include what you could call indirect subsidy in the form of
deferred tax payments, etc.

If by "etc" you mean guaranteed bond backing & loans (grants really
since nobody expectes them to be paid back, but calling it a "loan"
helps mask the size of the deficit) then yep, right again.

But that's not really a "subsidy" is it? I mean, what's a few billion
among friends right?

... These deferments have, I believe, all passed in
the intervening 4 years.

Bzzzt
But you're 2 for 3 here, pretty good.

... There is also a small program to subsidize
essential air service to small rural communities, comprising some $120M per
annum, a statistical pittance of which, I believe, Southwest does not
partake.

Don't know about that, if true the program doesn't work. Rural air
service sucks, and that's on the east coast near the DC-Boston axis.

... Generally speaking, though, the days are long gone when airlines
were broadly subsidized by federal money across the board.


Other than all the subsidies and unpaid loans, yeah. But who's gonna get
picky about details when you're having a nice little fascist rant?

Actually I'm glad to see that you have at least a slight connection to
reality, even if you forget at times. Perhaps you could keep an eye on
the other members of your little club.

DSK

"DSK" wrote in message
...

Southwest is one of the few truely profitable airlines, according to a
friend who is a pilot for American.

He said the secret of their profitability is that they only fly one type of
airplane, (the Boeing 737 at the time of our conversation). Their spare
parts inventory, technical maintenance staff, pilots and air crew only have
to support and be qualified in the one type of aircraft.

Eisboch

Also I read somewhere that they bought fuel contracts with guaranteed prices
that gives them a significant advantage over other airlines.
"Eisboch" wrote in message
...

"DSK" wrote in message
...

Southwest is one of the few truely profitable airlines, according to a
friend who is a pilot for American.

He said the secret of their profitability is that they only fly one type
of airplane, (the Boeing 737 at the time of our conversation). Their
spare parts inventory, technical maintenance staff, pilots and air crew
only have to support and be qualified in the one type of aircraft.

Eisboch

JIMinFL wrote:

Also I read somewhere that they bought fuel contracts with guaranteed prices
that gives them a significant advantage over other airlines.

I'm sure that force majeure has negated those contracts.

Dan

"Dan Krueger" wrote in message
ink.net...
JIMinFL wrote:

Also I read somewhere that they bought fuel contracts with guaranteed
prices that gives them a significant advantage over other airlines.

I'm sure that force majeure has negated those contracts.

Dan

Nope, but I think they do expire this year.

"Eisboch" wrote in message
...

"DSK" wrote in message
...

Southwest is one of the few truely profitable airlines, according to a
friend who is a pilot for American.

He said the secret of their profitability is that they only fly one type
of
airplane, (the Boeing 737 at the time of our conversation). Their spare
parts inventory, technical maintenance staff, pilots and air crew only
have
to support and be qualified in the one type of aircraft.

Eisboch



They also have a short turn around time WRT getting the planes back in the
air..........without in flight service, there is less cleaning etc to
do.................also their leg to leg operation......instead of the
hub/spoke system works to their advantage.

"Eisboch" wrote in message

He said the secret of their profitability is that they only fly one type
of airplane, ........

Different factors can receive different emphasis. In my view, having been a
small part of the industry, Southwest's success is owed primarily to good,
solid management and excellent employee relations. Having to support and
train for only one aircraft type is certainly a significant factor in cost
control.