But weren't Branson and Jackson MS cut at the same time (as Key West)? It couldn't have been that same reason for those two, could it have?
Operational reasons had nothing to do with BKG or JAN closings. Just so happened that the decision was made to cut it out at the same time. Remember that SWA cant just pull cities out like OAs due to the lack of automatic reaccom hence you see city changes usually only on schedule extensions, especially on the domestic side.
It might have helped if you had established your credentials in your first response. It seems that the regulars on the Southwest forum know you. However, for those of us not in the know, you gave no explanation of why your comment should carry more weight than another FT member.
I'm not suggesting that you post your resume. But, a simple statement that you have direct knowledge on this topic in your first response might have helped.
I like to lurk
Jackson on the other hand was operated for a long time, but apparently wasn't performing well.
You have to realize there are a whole slew of cities that operate under different guises. Some are unprofitable but so strategic you eat the cost. Some are profitable but an operational nightmare for whatever reason and there are then those that are unprofitable and not strategic. There are such cities in each bigger carriers portfolio, it just so happens that SWA has a harder time unloading the last category because of the company culture. Whether you view this as a positive or negative depends on who you are...