<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by BackOfTheBus:
Hahahahahaha! 
You crack me up!
Is that why Continental picked Delta as it's bed-mate (or should I say, coffin-mate)? Do you seriously think CO's 'full-service' (hahaha) model is that considerably different from AA, NW, UA, US or DL's? Sure, UA and AA may be worse off financially at the moment, but the 'big carriers' have the same flawed idiotic fare structures. So while CO and a few others may weather out the storm, they will eventually be reduced to a bunch of Jungle Jets flying transcons and 757s/767s flying to a few international destinations, while Southwest and Jetblue and AirTran undergo tremendous expansion.
Don't quote me on this - just look at some of the financial analysts' forecasts.</font>
Hmmm...
1. CO DOES operate differently from the other majors. CO is arguably the only major US airline that has maintained something resembling a "full-service" product post-9/11; when coupled with the company's industry-leading cost structure, the airline has proven to be a WINNER against the like of AA, UA, DL, etc.
2. Don't believe for one minute that the LCCs won't run into problems of their own. We are already beginning to witness the rise of serious labor discontent at Southwest, as their employees now want industry-leading pay AND workrules for industry-leading financial performance. It might be okay to overwork for low pay at first, but over time, employees at the LCCs will demand legacy carrier pay and benefits, and that will wreak havoc upon the fortunes of low-cost carriers.
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Continental Airlines - One airline CAN make a difference.