AirTran Stockholders Approve Southwest Merger

[JB2K]

This still needs regulatory approval as far as I know. Hopefully the DOJ will think this removes too much competition from the market and will reject it.

And then what?? AirTran files for bankruptcy and stops flying, altogether?

We've seen that happen in this business and it's situations like that where everyone loses.

Both companies seem to be able to survive on their own and removing competition is not good for the customers.

Southwest, yes -- AirTran, not so much -- obviously, AirTran execs saw some sort of "writing on the wall" prior to this arrangement...

 

[JB2K]

For the record, I voted against it, as did a lot of other stockholders that I know of. I cannot believe it passed by such a huge margin!!

While that's admirable, your handful of shares/votes probably didn't measure-up to the millionaires who hold huge amounts of stock (and the votes that tipped everything in their favor).

 

[AmongMadPeople]

Even in the era of potential $4-$5 a gallon gas??

You have to remember, both Delta and Northwest (prior to their merger) both went in and out of bankruptcy. Southwest, on the other hand, was the only profitable of the major U.S. air carriers. Plus, as Delta still maintains a larger-than-normal presence at nearby Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, I wouldn't expect them to maintain former Northwest routes @ IND.

Plus, as Orlando is a major market for Southwest, it's only a matter of time (given the economy continues to improve and more people start to take vacations) before they start adding MCO nonstops from places like IND.

You may as well "wish upon a star", as upstart airlines have a poor track record in succeeding...the best you can hope for is expanded service from the existing major carriers.

I won't be connecting just to get to Orlando, and you won't see me at the airport at 8:00 am to go back home, so yes, even with $4-$5 gas.

Honestly, I am baffled by SW's current one nonstop option each day, as when I've priced them in the past, I thought there were at least two or three. My point about Delta/NW is that I don't know what will happen after the merger, only predict. If MCO is such a good destination for SW, I don't understand (what appears to me to be) fewer offerings out of IND.

I didn't mean an upstart airline, but an existing airline steps up.

ETA-My position is best summed up as - airline travel isn't so special or important to me that I'll take whatever is offered. If what is available isn't to my liking I'll find another way to travel. Traveling long distance in a car isn't a big deal for me.

 

[Lewisc]

If MCO is such a good destination for SW, I don't understand (what appears to me to be) fewer offerings out of IND.

I didn't mean an upstart airline, but an existing airline steps up.

MCO isn't a great destination. Too many price sensitive leisure fliers. Too many discount airlines. Not enough business passengers paying full fare.

Airlines have reduced the number of flights into Orlando. That means fewer N/S flights and more connecting flights. Reduce the number of seats to approximate the number of passengers willing to pay a profitable fare.

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

I am not a fan of Airtran and their customer service or their flight changes. I do like the business class when I travel and am lucky that my company actually pays for that.

However I fly SW a lot for personal use 6-12 times a year and they are reliable and nice. I pretty much just stick to them - Midway is just too convenient for me from downtown.

The Airtran employees I spoke to seemed pretty happy since the pay scale is so much higher at SW.

 

[goofy4tink]

MCO isn't a great destination. Too many price sensitive leisure fliers. Too many discount airlines. Not enough business passengers paying full fare.

Airlines have reduced the number of flights into Orlando. That means fewer N/S flights and more connecting flights. Reduce the number of seats to approximate the number of passengers willing to pay a profitable fare.

Well then...took the words right out of my mouth!

 

[DebbieB]

MCO isn't a great destination. Too many price sensitive leisure fliers. Too many discount airlines. Not enough business passengers paying full fare.

Airlines have reduced the number of flights into Orlando. That means fewer N/S flights and more connecting flights. Reduce the number of seats to approximate the number of passengers willing to pay a profitable fare.

I agree. Southwest stopped non-stops all together out of Detroit and Washington Dulles. Detroit is a hub for Delta and Dulles is a hub for United. Wasn't worth it to compete with them there, so they walked away.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I know several Airtran pilots. They are THRILLED. Airtran has fairly poor labor relations something SW has been good at.

Investors generally vote with their pocketbooks not their heart. (personally I would not buy airline stock)

 

[nemofans]

I am happy about this. We are SWA flyers & prefer only to use them when we can. We also prefer flying out of Midway than OHare in Chicago. I am hoping this merger will allow us to take SWA to caribbean destinations as we hate having to take other airlines to get to these places.

 

[Mary T in PA]

I am disappointed, I cannot stand SW. I've flown some pretty bad airlines while in Europe and the way my family was treated on SW was worse than that.

Oh well, I will enjoy Airtran while I can, we have our tickets booked for May and July. Hoping we can get our Nov trip on Airtran too, or we may look at driving down.