Sticking it to ISP passengers
Jan 11, 2015, 1:12 pm
#16
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,120
US used to offer ISP-DCA not too long ago. Then it merged with AA, but the DOJ required US give up slots at DCA, and actually more than AA was bringing to the table.
The DOJ didn't want US/AA to have too much marketshare relative to the other legacy carriers (including WN). If the DOJ wanted to limit US/AA marketshare to 20%, why not let US/AA find a way to do so. US/AA's solution would have been dehubbing PHX, where Arizona Congressman are strongly against that.
But it was too political. Pressure was for US/AA to give up marketshare in DCA, which ultimately led to routes being cut including ISP-DCA.
The DOJ didn't want US/AA to have too much marketshare relative to the other legacy carriers (including WN). If the DOJ wanted to limit US/AA marketshare to 20%, why not let US/AA find a way to do so. US/AA's solution would have been dehubbing PHX, where Arizona Congressman are strongly against that.
But it was too political. Pressure was for US/AA to give up marketshare in DCA, which ultimately led to routes being cut including ISP-DCA.
Jan 11, 2015, 1:14 pm
#17
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: CLT
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Lifetime Admirals Club member
Posts: 419
Huh? Why would someone want to fly there? I guess for the same reason people travel to or from any place with a big population. Business or leisure, I suppose.
Suffolk has 1.5MM people. On its own, it'd be the 40th biggest market in the US. Add just half of Nassau and it's a top 25 market. And yet the airlines gave determined that ISP doesn't warrant enough service to even crack the top 100 in passengers enplaned.
Feb 4, 2015, 11:43 am
#18
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,700
Oh, the conspiracy grows deeper. Just wasted an hour trying to do ISP-LAS and back. Offered routings (if any) were ridiculous and expensive. Built my own with long, legal connections, all seemed to work well with pricing until final payment screen, then the message started, various Oops, fare bucket now sold out and this appears:
We are unable to price the flight you selected. Please select a different flight or call 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) for assistance. (SW900001-6qgOCQUvRqOPS35KBJQ8fg)
(Wednesday, February 4, 2015 12:28:35 PM CST)
Net effect, booked 4 one way flights, will be "unprotected" and paid the TSA fee 2 extra times.
What has become of this once great and simple to fly airline!
We are unable to price the flight you selected. Please select a different flight or call 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) for assistance. (SW900001-6qgOCQUvRqOPS35KBJQ8fg)
(Wednesday, February 4, 2015 12:28:35 PM CST)
Net effect, booked 4 one way flights, will be "unprotected" and paid the TSA fee 2 extra times.
What has become of this once great and simple to fly airline!
Feb 4, 2015, 12:01 pm
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Nashville -Past DL Plat, FO, WN-CP, various hotel programs
Programs: DL-MM, AA, SW w/companion,HiltonDiamond, Hyatt PLat, IHF Plat, Miles and Points Seeker
Posts: 11,074
It amazes be when people think ANY company is out to get somebody or something by not offering what the customer WANTS.
Companies are in business for one thing, and one thing only. To make money.
In the case of SW and ISP - they make business decisions based on what they think will work for the SW. And, SW wants to sell as many seats and the highest price possible with the higher net profit after expenses (including gate costs, advertising, etc.) possible.
That means some airports will have a higher ticket prices and possibly less frequency than others. They have xx number of airplanes and they make money by flying them as full as possible and the highest net profit each.
Simple stuff. Really.
No conspiracy. Just simple business.
Why is that so hard for people to understand?
Companies are in business for one thing, and one thing only. To make money.
In the case of SW and ISP - they make business decisions based on what they think will work for the SW. And, SW wants to sell as many seats and the highest price possible with the higher net profit after expenses (including gate costs, advertising, etc.) possible.
That means some airports will have a higher ticket prices and possibly less frequency than others. They have xx number of airplanes and they make money by flying them as full as possible and the highest net profit each.
Simple stuff. Really.
No conspiracy. Just simple business.
Why is that so hard for people to understand?
Feb 4, 2015, 12:42 pm
#20
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,700
Maybe some jilted lover spite thrown in since I was with them 100% from the start in 1999 and the current schedule is less than 20% of what it was was. Plus a million plus points and 8 SA's to burn.
Just looking for a little sympathy...
Feb 4, 2015, 1:28 pm
#21
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: MCI
Programs: CBP Global Entry, WN A-List Preferred, WN Companion Pass
Posts: 2,007
[QUOTE=joshua362;24291454]Please, its all tongue in cheek
Maybe some jilted lover spite thrown in since I was with them 100% from the start in 1999 and the current schedule is less than 20% of what it was was. Plus a million plus points and 8 SA's to burn.
Just looking for a little sympathy...[/QUOTE]
^^^
Maybe some jilted lover spite thrown in since I was with them 100% from the start in 1999 and the current schedule is less than 20% of what it was was. Plus a million plus points and 8 SA's to burn.
Just looking for a little sympathy...
[/QUOTE]^^^
Feb 4, 2015, 3:50 pm
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Nashville -Past DL Plat, FO, WN-CP, various hotel programs
Programs: DL-MM, AA, SW w/companion,HiltonDiamond, Hyatt PLat, IHF Plat, Miles and Points Seeker
Posts: 11,074
Feb 4, 2015, 4:56 pm
#23
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,700
PS, little known fact, I believe AirTran started at ISP many years ago (pre WN) and bolted to LGA shortly afterwards.
Feb 5, 2015, 8:32 am
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Chicagoland, IL, USA
Programs: WN CP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,193
Aug 18, 2015, 10:11 pm
#25
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,120
I just noticed that Southwest is offering ISP-BWI-LAS again beginning Nov. 1. It's also selling PWM-BWI-LAS. Prior, connections through BWI-LAS weren't offered.
A quick look on BOS to LAS shows no BOS-BWI-LAS but promotion of connections through other cities, WN might be just making an exception for markets like ISP and PWM that have no MDW or other hub connection, and only have BWI for connections. It was bizarre that it had the BWI-LAS connection ban in the first place.
A quick look on BOS to LAS shows no BOS-BWI-LAS but promotion of connections through other cities, WN might be just making an exception for markets like ISP and PWM that have no MDW or other hub connection, and only have BWI for connections. It was bizarre that it had the BWI-LAS connection ban in the first place.