10-14-2006
05:54 AM
7 Loves
Gary,
It is funny that this is the main topic on the Southwest blog, meanwhile I have found out today that I can no longer book any flight with open seating using my Rapid Rewards. Now only a certain amount of seats may be used for these rewards?
Both myself and my father fly regularly for our small corporations and have frequented Southwest because of the coporate culture and standards of excellence Southwest's irreverance have fostered.
Upon learning of this new restriction my father today called me and asked, "Well isn't this one more thing that makes Southwest just like all of the other airlines? Why should I continue to differentiate?"
In my MBA program Southwest was frequently modeled for what made it different and created strategic advantages that other airlines could never precisely copy. This created a situation of prosperity unparrelleled in an industry that as whole does nothing but lose money. So why is Southwest suddenly becoming so much more like those airlines that have historically been huge destroyers of share holder value?
Did the accountants come in and say it was okay the suffer the overall picture and profitability, the very image and uniqueness of the company to show enhanced profitability on certain flights?
What would Herb say?
Well who cares what Herb would say I guess. What I say, is that my loyalty has been lost and myself and others will be comparing all airlines much more than just going to the SWA website and booking a flight.
What a shame to tarnish what has been a shining star in an otherwise terrible industry.
Brian McKay
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