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Old 08-02-2012, 01:28 PM
 
Location: Umbrosa Regio
1,334 posts, read 1,797,533 times
Reputation: 970

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Quote:
Originally Posted by pman View Post
that's exactly it, they were unable to compete with US Air on a number of short haul routes out of Philadelphia owing to "loyalty" which is largely drive by the mileage program (since no one actually likes US Air)..and US Air serves better destinations. personally, I've gotten a free trips to london and greece using my miles. those are places southwest couldn't offer, not even a trip to the carribean. Of course, like most others, I appreciated the vastly lower fares they brought to PHL and hoped there were enough other flyers to fill both flights, and I suppose there were, at lower fuel prices. that's why I think Brian's take isn't correct, it's oversimplified.

UPDATE: Lufthansa to Tighten Belt Further as Fuel Bill Rises - WSJ.com
We take similar approaches to choosing airlines; I prefer to stay away from Southwest because of where it CAN'T take me, and although their new FF scheme would allow for international flights on other airlines, the number of points required is very very large.

And there is the trouble with that sort of Southwest vs. US Airways competition. The competition drives down fares, but if people stick to one airline for loyalty reasons or the capacity just didn't allow for enough profit, the competition goes away and fares go back up. Use it or lose it.

Fuel costs are an enormous bugaboo for airlines and are part of why PIT doesn't make as viable a hub as it once did and why Paris may be the only transatlantic flight for a long time. Obviously FRA won't be in the cards unless it gets subsidized. I think only LHR could be a remote possibility.
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Old 08-02-2012, 03:23 PM
 
Location: Western PA
3,733 posts, read 5,932,160 times
Reputation: 3189
I miss airline regulation.
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Old 08-02-2012, 03:50 PM
 
Location: Philly
10,220 posts, read 16,729,984 times
Reputation: 2971
Quote:
Originally Posted by Geeo View Post
I miss airline regulation.
why? prices were high then. perhaps you own stock in an airline and don't much appreciate the competition eating into your profits.
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Old 08-02-2012, 04:56 PM
 
2,538 posts, read 4,693,226 times
Reputation: 3356
Quote:
Originally Posted by pman View Post
why? prices were high then. perhaps you own stock in an airline and don't much appreciate the competition eating into your profits.
Prices where high but that kept the riff-Raff out. Now flying is almost as bad as taking a greyhound bus.
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Old 08-02-2012, 05:23 PM
 
Location: Philly
10,220 posts, read 16,729,984 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Velvet Jones View Post
Prices where high but that kept the riff-Raff out. Now flying is almost as bad as taking a greyhound bus.
wow, I guess I should have seen the elitist angle coming.
I don't see what social value there is in keeping people of moderate income from travelling simply for a few snobs and racists can have the planes to themselves. transportation certainly could use a regulatory overhaul though. FRA regulations are still from the WWII era which inhibits their viability to compete effectively. OTOH, bus deregulation has resulted in revolutionary change, albeit over several decades...though I suspect old people aren't in on it
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Old 08-02-2012, 05:45 PM
 
2,538 posts, read 4,693,226 times
Reputation: 3356
Quote:
Originally Posted by pman View Post
wow, I guess I should have seen the elitist angle coming.
I don't see what social value there is in keeping people of moderate income from travelling simply for a few snobs and racists can have the planes to themselves. transportation certainly could use a regulatory overhaul though. FRA regulations are still from the WWII era which inhibits their viability to compete effectively. OTOH, bus deregulation has resulted in revolutionary change, albeit over several decades...though I suspect old people aren't in on it
Yep. Try spending a six hour flight in a closed cabin next to some hobo who hadn't taken a bath or changed his clothes for a week. Then tell me who is elitist.

BTW, I love how you immediately jump to the conclusion that higher prices are equated to racism. Are only certain races able to afford higher fares? Now who is the one making racist conclusions?
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Old 08-02-2012, 06:48 PM
 
Location: Philly
10,220 posts, read 16,729,984 times
Reputation: 2971
Quote:
Originally Posted by Velvet Jones View Post
Yep. Try spending a six hour flight in a closed cabin next to some hobo who hadn't taken a bath or changed his clothes for a week. Then tell me who is elitist.

BTW, I love how you immediately jump to the conclusion that higher prices are equated to racism. Are only certain races able to afford higher fares? Now who is the one making racist conclusions?
I fly and I've never sat next to a hobo that hasn't showered for a week on a flight so I'm guessing that isn't the norm. to say that wishing only wealthy people could fly is certainly elitist.

nice try on the racism bit, not biting, sorry. racism is the belief that someone is inherently inferior due to their race. i never said non-whites can't make more money, though statistically, they do make less. associating lower income with race might be stereotyping. I didnt mean to imply you were a racist though I believe racists do share your belief. the only time I've been really disgusted was sitting next to an Indian family in Italy. they STUNK! that was on a boat though. oh yeah, when some guy was smoking crack in a greyhound bathroom, that was interesting. haven't seen that on a plane but according to you, I soon will unless they reregulate!
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Old 08-03-2012, 02:44 AM
 
Location: About 10 miles north of Pittsburgh International
2,458 posts, read 4,184,165 times
Reputation: 2374
Quote:
Originally Posted by Geeo View Post
I miss airline regulation.
An interesting (if a bit lengthy), article here on the question of regulation: The Washington Monthly - The Magazine - Terminal Sickness
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Old 08-04-2012, 09:55 AM
gg
 
Location: Pittsburgh
26,137 posts, read 25,777,749 times
Reputation: 17378
Quote:
Originally Posted by Velvet Jones View Post
BTW, I love how you immediately jump to the conclusion that higher prices are equated to racism. Are only certain races able to afford higher fares? Now who is the one making racist conclusions?
Nice catch, Velvet.
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Old 08-04-2012, 10:04 AM
 
Location: Philly
10,220 posts, read 16,729,984 times
Reputation: 2971
Quote:
Originally Posted by h_curtis View Post
Nice catch, Velvet.
it's not racist genius (nor is it what I said)...not that facts ever get in your way. kind of funny how you're always bashing big government except when it means your ability to pay through the nose to get more direct flights.
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