First off, it's the bond agreements that CLT has with the major airlines here (I believe it's US, AA, UA, DL, and NW) that allows any one of them to veto a new carrier coming in. But no carrier has used that as far as anyone can tell, especially since AirTran, Southeast, ATA, Independence Air, and AirTran have all been allowed to start service here without a veto by any of the other carriers. I bet no one would object to WN starting service.

Second, the City has had no problem trying to lure lower fare carriers (see the attempts to get AirTran and the attendant publicity push, including using Jake Delhomme (Panthers QB) for the launch) into Charlotte. The Airport and the City recognize that US is one of the largest employers here - but they also know that fares are way high. So there's a want and desire by the City (who owns and operates the airport) to bring in low fare carriers. [rant on] So, to suggest that there's some palm greasing going on is a bit offensive (sorry, I'm part of local government, and I don't like it when someone suggests, however obliquely, something that questions our integrity, e.g. money must put into the hands of those that matter, since WN isn't here) to me. [rant off]

Knowing WN, they'll come when they want to. When Herb was here last, I think his suggestion was that he wanted to cherry pick pieces out of bankruptcy. But, US didn't reject any leases at CLT during bankruptcies #1 and 2. But there are open gates here, and not the ground level gates that were the only available spaces for a while. WN is welcome to come if they like. CLT has one of the lowest operating costs around - so it may make sense for them at some point. If they do come, I'll enjoy the lower fares it creates when other carriers decrease theirs to match.