Why did Southwest stop service to Key West?
Feb 10, 2016, 12:52 pm
#16
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It had everything to do with the way Southwest flight ops defined a wet runway vs. the 2 other mainline operators (FL+DL) and the amount of seats that had to be blocked off constantly. City got whacked because SWA refused to adapt to an operation that was different than what they were used to doing over the last 4 decades. Nothing else, nothing more.
Feb 10, 2016, 2:16 pm
#17
Join Date: Feb 2004
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PA42 is definitely right. We should be thanking them for the input, but since this is the wide open internet, I guess there will be some on flyertalk who try to insult him or her and scare them away.
On other threads and forums, it was noted that Southwest cancelled more flights than the other carriers. The root cause was that Southwest did not want to make exceptions / reducing performance margins on runways during weather / or even allow operations when a piece of the airport Instrument Landing Transponder system was inoperative.
A schedule that becomes irregular costs does cost $$ dealing with exceptions, diversions, and customer accomodations. So money, and in this day and age, social networking and public brand perception, also were at risk.
//We were on the very first Southwest flight into Key West, and were on the very last flight out. It was sad seeing them give out stuff like umbrellas that they had no use for since they were giving up their gate.
On other threads and forums, it was noted that Southwest cancelled more flights than the other carriers. The root cause was that Southwest did not want to make exceptions / reducing performance margins on runways during weather / or even allow operations when a piece of the airport Instrument Landing Transponder system was inoperative.
A schedule that becomes irregular costs does cost $$ dealing with exceptions, diversions, and customer accomodations. So money, and in this day and age, social networking and public brand perception, also were at risk.
//We were on the very first Southwest flight into Key West, and were on the very last flight out. It was sad seeing them give out stuff like umbrellas that they had no use for since they were giving up their gate.
Feb 10, 2016, 2:56 pm
#18
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,813
Jackson on the other hand was operated for a long time, but apparently wasn't performing well.
Feb 11, 2016, 3:17 am
#20
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Posts: 3,360
I am one of less than half a dozen people in this world that not only managed the original FL schedule into EYW + knew the P&L but also implemented the transition to WN metal and saw that P&L. What are your credentials other than flyertalk speculation and articles with generic quotes from people that only know what the public does?
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.
Feb 11, 2016, 9:46 am
#21
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Feb 11, 2016, 1:45 pm
#22
Join Date: Jan 2012
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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?
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'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.
Jackson on the other hand was operated for a long time, but apparently wasn't performing well.
Feb 11, 2016, 3:31 pm
#27
Join Date: Mar 2011
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Feb 11, 2016, 7:41 pm
#28
Join Date: May 2002
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I should point out that EYW doesn't even have an ILS. Ergo, nothing to be inoperative.
Feb 11, 2016, 8:06 pm
#29
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,832
True. But just like many airports it has a RNAV LPV approach which is pretty darn accurate but does have higher minimums than a standard ILS approach.
Feb 13, 2016, 10:34 pm
#30
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